The clock winds on as you march through your third consecutive 12-hour nursing shift for the week. The soles of your nursing shoes may be worn bare, but at least you are killing your step count for the week.
You look forward to the inevitable weekend when family and friends will surely ask you, “How do you survive a 12-hour nursing shift?” And honestly, you have no idea.
This is why Trusted Nurse Staffing compiled a list of tips for nurses working 12-hour shifts, along with a few suggestions on how you can maximize your career potential.
Table of Contents
- 9 Survival Tips for Nurses Working 12-Hour Shifts
- Plan Your Next Nursing Shifts With Trusted Nurse Staffing
9 Survival Tips for Nurses Working 12-Hour Shifts
To be a nurse, you have to be quick on your feet, calm, and collected. This means beating the heat from your 12-hour shifts by caring for yourself and managing your time well.
By addressing the following areas of your home and work life, you can master long shifts like the pro you are:
- Sleep
- Physical health
- Work preparation
- Work attire
- Mental exercise
- Relational health with coworkers
- Organization
- Work schedule consistency
- And more
Take a look at the following tips for nurses working 12-hour shifts and consider how you can apply them to your nursing style.
Trusted Nurse Staffing values your time as a travel nurse, which is why we created Pronto, an easy way to quickly sort through thousands of travel nurse job listings at the touch of a button.
Why wait around for a nursing recruiter to get back to you about your contract when you can virtually manage it all on your own? And if you need any help, our recruiters are standing by to help out and answer questions.
Ditch the traditional method of finding travel nursing contracts and instead find jobs on Pronto today.
#1: Get Enough Sleep
Getting the right amount of sleep is essential to stay physically and mentally healthy. For travel nurses who work 12-hour shifts, getting enough sleep is also vital to work performance, patient care, and safety.
Getting somewhere between seven and nine hours of sleep each night is optimal.
Not only is the amount of sleep important, but the quality of sleep may be even more essential.
Research suggests that people who deal with stress not only have difficulty sleeping but also get less deep sleep.
Deep sleep is essential for restorative sleep. During deep, restorative sleep, the body:
- Repairs and regrows tissue
- Builds bone and muscle
- Strengthens the immune system
As individuals who are constantly on their feet, performing manual labor, and coming in contact with diseases and infections, nurses need deep sleep to function.
Try these tips to encourage a good night’s sleep:
- Read before you drift off to sleep.
- Listen to music, meditate, or focus on breathing to help you relax.
- Use earplugs or a sound machine to block out unwanted noises.
- Use blackout curtains if you need to sleep during the day.
- Use an app that monitors sleep and use the recommendations from the data recorded.
- Lay off the caffeine in the evening or several hours before sleeping.
- Plan to turn off screens 90 minutes before you hit the hay and remove electronic devices from your bedroom.
- Work on getting into a sleep routine with a balanced sleep/wake cycle. Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day — even on your days off.
Above all, find a sleep routine that works with your individual needs and schedule to ensure you can relax and get the rest you need.
This may help you get adequate rest without disrupting your sleep cycle, which includes cycles of REM sleep that are most restorative. According to Shawn Stevenson, author of Sleep Smarter, the most restorative sleep generally happens between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am. When possible, try to get in bed to take advantage of the special sleep that happens during those hours.
#2: Carefully Prepare for Your Shift
Prepping the night before your shift can do wonders for your ability to arrive at work with a calm and positive attitude, ready to seize the day.
Nothing ruins the start of a good day more than rushing around to find your misplaced keys or spilling coffee on your scrubs as you’re running late.
To be prepared and ready to head out the door without anxiety and rushing around, put these preparation tips for nurses working 12-hour shifts into practice:
- Lay out your clothes and shoes the night before. If necessary, iron your scrubs ahead of time. Consider packing an extra set of scrubs, shoes, and socks in case you need to change during your shift.
- Prepare and pack nutritious lunches and snacks the night before. Fill up your water bottle.
- Pre-pack your bag with the necessary supplies you need to take with you, including:
- Pens
- Stethoscope
- Watch
- Badge
- Phone
- Keys
- Put gas in the car and plan your commute, choosing the quickest route to work. Try to prioritize filling up your tank on your off days.
- Check the weather and gather any potentially necessary accessories like an umbrella, raincoat, scarf, or gloves. Bonus points if you keep these items in your car.
- Set the coffee pot the night before and have some quick breakfast options on hand. You might also consider a coffee maker with a timer so you have one less thing to do before work.
And don’t wait till the last minute to start getting ready for work.
Studies show that people who plan for the future are often able to weather daily stress without succumbing to negative moods.
Planning ahead reduces the chances of getting stressed or upset and helps you get to work on time. It may also mean you can get to work early to read through your patients’ notes before beginning your 12-hour shift.
#3: Dress Comfortably and Wear the Right Socks and Shoes
When you’re on your feet for 12 hours at a time, dressing comfortably and taking care of your feet must be a priority. Wearing the wrong shoes can wreak havoc on your body, leading to back pain, sore feet, and blisters.
Look for shoes that are:
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Supportive
- Fit well
Athletic shoes are a good option and should be replaced regularly, according to use — generally every six to nine months.
Just as important as the shoes you choose are the kinds of socks you wear, and compression socks are ideal. Though probably known for use by diabetics, compression socks are worn by many medical professionals who are on their feet for hours at a time.
Compression socks come in all sorts of fun colors, so nurses can be stylish while also:
- Increasing blood circulation
- Decreasing inflammation
- Lessening muscle pain
- Reducing the risk of varicose veins
Your two feet are the only ones you’ve got. Treat them right by investing in quality shoes and socks.
Dress comfortably, even if you are required to wear a prescribed uniform. Scrub styles and options are seemingly endless, so finding comfort and style should be easy.
We suggest choosing lightweight scrubs that are:
- Flexible
- Stain-resistant
- Made with water-wicking material
- Fitted with decent-sized pockets
- Antimicrobial
#4: Stay Hydrated
When a 12-hour shift gets busy, it can be hard to remember to stop and drink water. When you don’t drink enough liquids — preferably water — you risk getting dehydrated, which may include symptoms like:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Inability to focus
In contrast, staying hydrated can help:
- Control food cravings
- Lessen fatigue
- Keep the body at a normal temperature
- Boost energy levels
- Lubricate joints
- Rid the body of waste
- Manage body weight
It is vital that medical staff keep hydrated to minimize risk and potential injury. Unfortunately, some healthcare workers neglect to stay hydrated before and during their shifts.
One study examined the hydration levels of 88 nurses and doctors. It found that 36% of participants were dehydrated at the start of the shift, and 45% were dehydrated at the end of their shift.
For those long shifts, try these tips to make staying hydrated a top priority:
- Keep a water bottle with you throughout your shift.
- Use a marked water bottle to keep an eye on your water intake.
- Use a hydration app or set an alarm to remind yourself to drink regularly.
- Avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks.
- Make it a priority to drink water during your breaks.
- Add variety to your fluid intake by adding decaffeinated teas, flavors, electrolytes, and minerals.
#5: Eat Healthy Meals and Snacks
Getting the nutrition you need from meals and snacks during your lengthy shifts can be equally as challenging as staying hydrated. During a 12-hour shift, it’s all too easy to get carried away with serving your patients and not take time for a break or a bite to eat.
Previous studies highlight the lack of healthy eating habits amongst the nursing population, with one U.S. study finding that 53% to 61% of nurses engage in poor eating habits.
Two of the best ways to combat this are:
- Planning ahead
- Packing healthy snacks and meals
To ensure you have healthy meals for work, create a meal plan that includes healthy proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Prep meals a day or two before your shift and store them in pre-portioned containers that are easy to pack and reheat.
For those times when a sit-down meal break just isn’t going to happen, pack healthy go-to snacks like:
- Nuts
- Yogurt
- Smoothies
- Granola
- Protein bars
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Cheese sticks
#6: Keep Your Body Physically Healthy
Exercising may be the last thing on your mind before or after a 12-hour nursing shift, but regular exercise is an optimal way to:
- Manage weight
- Stay physically fit
- Boost mood and energy
- Reduce burnout
- And more
Make exercise enjoyable and motivating by alternating between strenuous workouts and those that are more relaxed.
There are seemingly innumerable exercise options to fit your mood and fitness level, including:
- Strength workouts at the gym
- Walking
- Riding a bike
- Yoga
- Playing a sport
- Joining a class or fitness group
You may not always have time to work out on days when you work a 12-hour shift, but try to make exercise a regular activity on your off days.
When you don’t have time for a long exercise session, allow time for a short one before going to work, or use an app to count steps throughout your shift. Set a goal and aim for the recommended 10,000 steps a day.
#7: Be a Good Team Player
Without question, nurses who work 12-hour shifts won’t be working alone. It takes a team of skilled medical staff to properly and compassionately care for patients.
Make it a goal to keep busy during your shift and help team members out when you’re less busy.
They’ll likely do the same for you when your workload gets overwhelming. Not only that, but staying busy helps the shift fly by, and before you know it, you’ll be passing the baton to the nurse coming on after your shift is over.
Work together to encourage team members and keep them in the loop by communicating well and often. This kind of teamwork not only makes for a more peaceful shift but also helps give credibility with your patients and families.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, we aim to promote a community of travel nurses who support each other and facility staff. As an industry-leading travel nursing agency, we prioritize camaraderie and support.
Through continual teamwork and effort, there is nothing we can’t overcome. Trust in Trusted Nurse Staffing to help you connect with other travel nurses and secure your next contract.
#8: When On Breaks, Actually Break
Taking regular breaks is necessary to give you a moment to regroup during a long shift, so plan to take all your breaks.
Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that nurses may often neglect to fully utilize their breaks. According to a 2022 study, more than half of nurses do not take breaks at all.
Though your breaks may be regularly scheduled, logistics and unexpected emergencies may keep you from being able to take one at the prescribed break time — so when you do get a break, take advantage of it.
Consider these activities to get recharged during your break:
- Do some stretches to loosen up your muscles and joints.
- Take a short walk outside to get some sunshine and fresh air.
- Visit with a friend or coworker.
- Read a portion of a book.
- Listen to some relaxing music or a motivational podcast.
And it should go without saying that you’ll use some portion of your break to eat those healthy meals or snacks that you prepared and carried with you to work.
#9: Enjoy Your Days Off
Many travel nurses who work 12-hour shifts have a three or four-day work week, which leaves additional days to rest, relax, and take care of miscellaneous administrative duties at home.
Creating balance is one of the most important things to remember when planning work days and days off. Work diligently when you’re on duty, but also make sure your off days are pursued with just as much purpose.
Think about how you want to spend your time off. Do you need time to just chill out at home and sleep in, or would you like to take a short trip or plan an outing with friends? You may also need to set aside some time on your days off to take care of errands, appointments, and chores.
As you are able, you can also make the most of your days off by strategically scheduling them among your work days. Maybe you’d prefer to scatter them evenly between workdays to allow for regular rest. Or you may want to schedule several days off consecutively to plan a short trip or take advantage of local activities.
As a travel nurse, days off can mean adventure as you get to experience the sights and attractions of your new city. Whether your assignment is just a few weeks or is the typical 13-week stint, use your time off to:
- Walk through a new city
- Attend a book club
- Go hiking at nearby trails
- Meet up with friends for drinks or dinner
- See the latest movie or attend a play or concert
The options are endless. The important thing is to take advantage of what your new location has to offer.
Plan Your Next Nursing Shifts With Trusted Nurse Staffing
Whether you prefer 12-hour shifts or other shift options, Trusted Nurse Staffing is here to help you find a travel nursing assignment you’ll love in the location of your choosing.
It’s easy to start by searching for available jobs using Pronto!
With Pronto, you don’t have to spend hours scouring the internet, sorting through jobs, and negotiating with various recruiters.
Just sign up, hop on, and tell Pronto what you’re looking for. It’s that easy. Don’t have time to search on your own? Turn on the notifications, and Pronto will alert you when a job that fits your needs and qualifications becomes available.
Once you find the position that interests you, our team of recruiters will do what it takes to make that assignment a reality, from connecting you with your top choices to arranging interviews with the hiring facility to negotiating or extending your contract or finding your next assignment.
Working with Trusted Nurse Staffing comes with exceptional benefits, such as:
- Sign-on bonuses
- Welcome Box
- Completion bonuses
- Health benefits
- 401(k)
- Housing, meal, and travel stipends
- Tax-free student loan reimbursements up to $5,250 per year
- And more
See why travel nurses are turning to Trusted Nurse Staffing to help them navigate their travel nurse careers. Start traveling today doing the job you love.