What is your ideal nursing shift ? Think long term not just for one week, but for a few weeks. Not just for few weeks but for a year, for a season, or for your nursing career. That's how we should be approaching selecting our nursing shifts. You are at work far more than you are at home, so do not sabotage your lifestyle by picking wrong.
In life we can pretty much put up with anything for a designated period of time. It's when it becomes prolonged or seemingly without an end in sight that it becomes a challenge.
Case and point
My first job in the medical field I needed to commute 45+ minutes each way, passing through toll roads, crazy rush hour bumper to bumper traffic, traveling out of state (from DC to VA). I worked there for over 5 years, but it was a means to an end. I started my graduate studies, I started my Nursing studies and I was on a mission. I took on new job opportunities, and I knew all the work I was putting in was temporary.
When you have a goal in mind, you don't feel stuck where you are. Rather you are clear on where you are going, and you can do just about anything.
Let's go over a few ways to pick the best Nurse shifts for your lifestyle, instead of changing your lifestyle to fit into Nursing. In our Webinar Series 2 of Learn what Nursing school left out, we discussed how selecting your shifts and determining your Toxicity and tolerance ratio can work in your favor. There is so much more to Nurse shift life than just Days and Nights. Actually that's just the surface, lets dive a little deeper. However when I left Nursing school I had a very narrowed view of my options - News flash: Weekend incentives, PRN incentives, Days, Nights, Rotations etc. Most times you can remix them, but the truth is there is a shift out there for any nurse lifestyle.
VAMP NURSE
These nurses thrive in the midnight hours, and so affectionately known as working the VAMP (vampire) shift. Have you ever caught yourself saying - I chose nights because I am a "night owl" or "I don't have an issue because I am usually up all night anyhow". MMM ok that's cute, but not only are you staying up but you are saving lives. Not at all the same thing at 2am, with critical decision and handling everyone else's needs and neglecting your own sounds more like it. All while fighting your internal sleep cycle.
Tip 1
What habits do you have on your regular off days when you are being a "night owl". What time do you eat ? How long do you sleep normally ? When do you self care? What's your social life like ? Why is this important - because these are your normal habits. Now make a plan to ensure you can transfer that same lifestyle into the night shift work.
CHAMELEON NURSE
These nurses are extremely adaptable, and are managements best friend. Why? Because even though they have their preference they will often pick up days or nights, weekends, or holidays without any much of a nurse hangover. How they do it who the hell knows, but they are extremely coordinated and aware of their own Toxicity ratios.
Tip 2
Get real honest with yourself and complete a self inventory, this is a mindset hack that we learned in our Webinar Series 1. Most of us have felt this Nurse shift hang over before. You know the feeling after you do a few shifts in a row and you have to decide which one to do: shower, sleep, or use the bathroom. Or when you wake up in a panic and can't really tell if you are late for work or its your off day - Yep that part !
So the next time you find yourself there, complete a self inventory asking yourself
- What's low or out of stock within yourself (Energy, Mood, Food, Patience) ?
- What trends or patterns are there (too many pick up shifts?)
- Make a plan for what you will change for the future
MAMA NURSE
I have young kids, or I have kids in general is no longer a deterrent from working as a nurse. Why ? Because you can remix your shifts just about any way that you please. Also if one job does not have it all, call it part -time and blend it together with another one.
Do not let anyone or any job redefine your priorities, because we all know that mom guilt is real.
Exhibit A: Working Mama Nurse - Weekends only
Exhibit B: Working Mama Nurse - PRN only
Tip 3
Remember that nursing is wide open and constantly evolving. Write down your perfect work/life balance (no matter how crazy it sounds). Write down how you want to show up as a Nurse, Mom, Wife - as all the things. It may all be subject to change, however if you want it please know that it is possible. Visualize it, write it down, and say it out of your mouth and watch it begin to manifest. Essentially transform your "wants" in your nurse lifestyle into affirmations.
Be all the things without the Burnout
Megan
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