Night shift?!
Question: Night shift!?
I am shortly going to do a night shift tonight (10-7) at my work!. I work as a bank nursing assistant, and have been called in to cover this shift on a learning disability ward!. This has been my first night shift as I couldnt do them when I was doing my exams a month ago at college, so I dont know quite what to expect!. How do you manage to stay up all night!? The patients are very disabled and cant talk, incontinent etc, and some have seizures from time to time, but I am expected to do the shift alone, which terrifies me incase one of them has an attack!. Any advice on what to do during night shift and how to stay awake!? ThanksWww@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Hi Ade C,
I remember working many night shifts in my 20's!. It is rough, especially when it is not your usual routine!. By the time you get this answer, it is probably too late, however, my advice is that the day before you sleep as long as you can into the day!. Be careful of your diet - no heavy meats or fatty foods!. Drink lots of water!. Of course, a cup of coffee will help around 1 or 2 am in the am!. I think you will be amazed that you can actually stay awake the whole night!. For me, it was never really a problem since I can't sleep anywhere but my own bed, and I have a high level of alertness when I am assigned a responsiblity!.
Now, regarding being the only one on the unit!. I think that is a little problematic!. They really should have another person, if for no other reason, safety!. I hope there is another unit that is close by if you need to call out for help!.
Regarding seizures: as you probably know, if someone has a seizure, you simply let them seize it out - no jamming anything in the mouth or restraining!. You simply keep the area safe so there are no injuries!. Stay with the patient throughout the seizure and notify M!.D!. afterwards!. There should be protocol in the patient's chart, but you might want to check with the outgoing nurse about any protocols for seizures!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I remember working many night shifts in my 20's!. It is rough, especially when it is not your usual routine!. By the time you get this answer, it is probably too late, however, my advice is that the day before you sleep as long as you can into the day!. Be careful of your diet - no heavy meats or fatty foods!. Drink lots of water!. Of course, a cup of coffee will help around 1 or 2 am in the am!. I think you will be amazed that you can actually stay awake the whole night!. For me, it was never really a problem since I can't sleep anywhere but my own bed, and I have a high level of alertness when I am assigned a responsiblity!.
Now, regarding being the only one on the unit!. I think that is a little problematic!. They really should have another person, if for no other reason, safety!. I hope there is another unit that is close by if you need to call out for help!.
Regarding seizures: as you probably know, if someone has a seizure, you simply let them seize it out - no jamming anything in the mouth or restraining!. You simply keep the area safe so there are no injuries!. Stay with the patient throughout the seizure and notify M!.D!. afterwards!. There should be protocol in the patient's chart, but you might want to check with the outgoing nurse about any protocols for seizures!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
i used to do night shifts!. if at all possible, try to get your sleep before you go to work!.
then while you're at work, try to keep the caffiene in ya!
if its at all possible, bring something to work that will keep you busy!.!.!.!.!.we used to do puzzles, crossword puzzles, etc just to keep us busy!.!.!.!.and it kept us awakeWww@Answer-Health@Com
then while you're at work, try to keep the caffiene in ya!
if its at all possible, bring something to work that will keep you busy!.!.!.!.!.we used to do puzzles, crossword puzzles, etc just to keep us busy!.!.!.!.and it kept us awakeWww@Answer-Health@Com
If your busy staying awake is never a problem!.
But alone on a ward!? I think that is disgusting, it sounds like too much work for one person and leaves you wide open to sorts of allegations never mind the healthy and safety implications!. Good luck you will need itWww@Answer-Health@Com
But alone on a ward!? I think that is disgusting, it sounds like too much work for one person and leaves you wide open to sorts of allegations never mind the healthy and safety implications!. Good luck you will need itWww@Answer-Health@Com
keep yourself busy, like tidy what needs tidied or clean what needs cleaned!. i doubt ull beleft alone all night as your only bank cos u wont be familiar with the ward or where things are and what the patients are like, am sure it will be fine though!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
i work in care home so i understand your a bit apprehensive!.i find it strange your on your own though!.i thought it was a minimum of two!.anyway keep busy,drink plenty water,try and have a rest before you go!.its okay once your doing it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
1st get some day sleep!.
2nd see your superior re the single person shift!.
3rd Inform the bank about the conditions I am sure it is illegal!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
2nd see your superior re the single person shift!.
3rd Inform the bank about the conditions I am sure it is illegal!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You won't need to worry about staying awake!
You will be too busy seeing to incontinent people and watching them all for any problems that may arise!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You will be too busy seeing to incontinent people and watching them all for any problems that may arise!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
go to bed now and get a couple of hours sleep / rest,Www@Answer-Health@Com