By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 4 Easy Ways to Deal With a Long Nursing Shift
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Nursing > 4 Easy Ways to Deal With a Long Nursing Shift
Nursing

4 Easy Ways to Deal With a Long Nursing Shift

Feeling overwhelmed by long nursing shifts? Discover 4 easy strategies to help you manage and stay energized. Learn more now!

Aaron Casselman
Last updated: February 26, 2023 9:31 pm
Aaron Casselman
Share
5 Min Read
nursing shifts
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - 1537225349 | By LightField Studios
SHARE

Nurses are the steam that keeps the healthcare engine running. If you are an experienced nurse, you already know the secrets to survive a long and busy shift. For newer nurses, it will take more time to develop the habits and schedules that it takes to stay on track.

Contents
1.     Stay Organized2.     Get Sleep3.     Stay Hydrated and Energized4.     Take Your BreaksConclusion: Make it Through

Nurses that want to excel in their field, and take advice from more experienced staff can open doors to a wealth of knowledge. Nurses in the field for many years have mastered the skills needed to stay organized and manage their time efficiently. Passing these keys on to the next generation is an important part of being a senior nurse.

Whether you spend half your shift on the phone with the medical linen service, or are run ragged by an overflowing patient influx, surviving a long day can feel impossible. Let’s take a closer look at a few key ways to deal with a long nursing shift.

1.     Stay Organized

You aren’t working effectively if you are stuck running in a dozen different directions during your nursing shift. Prioritizing your tasks and creating a system that works for you is crucial to surviving a long shift. At the end of each shift, take a moment to write down a list of tasks for your next shift. Creating a ‘to-do’ list will help you to get organized the following day and stay focused on your goals.

More Read

Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing: Strategies, Principles, and the Value of Ongoing Education
Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing: Strategies, Principles, and the Value of Ongoing Education
The Future Of Nursing In A Post-Pandemic World
8 Keys to A Fulfilling & Successful Career in Nursing
Finding the Right College for Your Nursing Career
Should Nurse Practitioners Form an LLC?

2.     Get Sleep

It may sound obvious, but we cannot function properly at our jobs if we are not properly rested. This is especially true of nurses. Most work 10-12 hour long shifts that can be emotional and physical rollercoasters. Nurses need to respect their own needs and not just those of their patients regarding self-care. To perform at your best as a nurse, you should get a minimum of seven hours of sleep nightly.

3.     Stay Hydrated and Energized

Being a nurse requires a ton of energy. If you are not paying attention to your body’s needs, you won’t be able to perform at your best. Staying hydrated is vital. You should always have water on hand to sip when you have a moment at the desk.

You aren’t likely to take scheduled eating breaks during a busy nursing shift. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to fuel your body to keep up with your shift. Rather than packing a single meal for your shift, try packing various bite sized snacks that you can graze on during your shift. High-protein or energy snacks can be the perfect mid-shift pick-me-up.

4.     Take Your Breaks

While taking breaks when they roll around during a long nursing shift is not always possible, getting to step away from the action is vital to your well-being. To survive a long day of nursing, take a few minutes whenever you can to give your mind and body a break.

Nurses work hard to care for and treat their patients. To help you get through a long shift without sacrificing the quality of your job, try some tips to help you stay on track.

Conclusion: Make it Through

It is important to make it through your long nursing shift. Taking breaks, talking to other nurses and colleagues, eating healthy meals, and engaging in self-care activities will help you stay focused and energized throughout your work day. Even the most seasoned nurse can feel overwhelmed by a long shift. However, with a few simple strategies you can tackle even the longest of days without compromising your health or performance.

Remember to take regular breaks throughout the day and give yourself time to relax; this could be as simple as going for a walk or getting some fresh air outside. Eating nutritious meals will also provide energy that is essential for making it through your shifts. Finally, don’t forget about self-care activities like yoga, meditation or listening to music; these practices can help reduce stress levels while improving concentration.

By incorporating these four easy tips into your nursing routine you can get through even the longest of shifts with ease! Just remember to take care of yourself so that you have enough energy and focus for each patient that needs your care.

TAGGED:nursing shift
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Aaron Casselman
Aaron Casselman is a medical writer based in central Minnesota, specializing in bioinformatics. With my Master's Degree in bioinformatics, he brings unique insights into topics related to medicine and health.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

CareerHealth careNursing

Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization

April 16, 2025
nursing education
Nursing

6 Reasons Nurses Should Focus on Higher Education

February 22, 2024
Why is financial management in healthcare important, and what role do nursing leaders play in this?
HealthNursing

Why is Financial Management in Healthcare Important, and What Role do Nursing Leaders Play in This?

July 23, 2023
medical staff
BusinessGlobal HealthcareHospital AdministrationNewsNursing

The Simple Things Which Help Medical Staff

November 24, 2021
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?