Tips for nurses working the night shift, from experienced A24Group Agency Nurses. Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system and don’t always get recognised for their dedication to their occupation. Despite all activity levels around us declining at night, it's only the start for nurses working night shifts. For many of us, a night shift will be impossible and our bodies will fight to stay awake but for night shift nurses it might be challenging at first but then it becomes their norm.  

We spoke to a few nurses to find out how they cope with working night shifts and what tips they have for other nurses that work night shifts.

Charmaine Solomuns, PN at DP Marais Hospital

• When you relax, try to shut down completely to fully rest so that you can stay awake throughout the night. In the nursing profession, it is always important to be awake and aware to keep track of all the different patients and what medication they require. 

• Eat nutritious food and stay hydrated to keep your mind and body healthy to be able to handle the switch to sleeping during daylight and working during nighttime. 

• If you feel like you cannot work a night shift and need to rest, try swapping shifts with someone else. (You can WhatsApp your booking consultant any time, 24/7 and we will assist you).

Matron L. Macaulay from DP Marais Hospital

• Keep busy to stay awake by continuously doing your rounds and checking in on patients. 

• Get enough sleep during the day (at least 8 hours). 

• When you are on your break, go out for fresh air. 

Madeline Jones, retired theatre nurse from Mediclinic Somerset West

• After experiencing a traumatic event, take a deep breath of fresh air and always remember that you too are only human. 

• When there are no emergencies and it is your time to take a break, go take the break, you need it... even if you feel that you are capable of pushing through, rather go drink a cup of tea.