Similarly, when you go home after a night shift, the cues from your internal body clock and daytime light exposure tell you to be awake and active. Stay awake all night, drink coffee and have fun as our Nigh Shift! Always too much needs to be done at work. Working at night does not mean you require less sleep. Looking after yourself can be a challenge, especially when you work at night. Stop in at every all-night “stop and rob” on your beat. She is the co-founder of Health Media Academy and is an award-winning author and blogger, international keynote speaker, and influencer in the nursing and healthcare technology communities. Take the Nurse Blogging 101 online course, Best Nurse Backpack for Work – Knack Backpack Review, Best Shoes for Nurses – 20+ Recommended Nursing Shoes for Women, Gifts for Nurses: All The Best Nurse Gift Ideas in One Place, How to Pass the NCLEX with 75 Questions in One Attempt, Most Popular Shoes for Nurses: Alegria Clog, The Best Stethoscope For Nurses – The Ultimate Guide to Nurse Stethoscopes. You may hear squealing tires, breaking glass, arguing drunks, sobbing victims and the other noises of the night that will beckon you. It is hard to realize it at the time, but when you look back, these days will often be the best times of your law enforcement life. Do you have any tips to stay awake on night shift? If they want you to stop and check out a problem person inside the store, they need just ignore you or look sternly at you and do not wave. Staying awake on night shift… Ensuring that you have something to keep your brain stimulated you can reduce the risk of dozing off. Many of us learn how to stay awake while working a night shift but forget to brace ourselves for the end of that shift. It’s helpful to cluster night … and manufacturers. So staying very hydrated will let your bladder serve as your personal sleep deterrent. I understand the importance of hydration, but drinking too much water, too closely to the end of a night shift can lead to interruptions in sleep during the day. Keep the workspace bright Keeping the workspace brightly-lit may also help keep the mind awake … Some love night shift nurse jobs so much they would even tell you that they would never go back to day shift. There is value to getting out of your squad car and pulling doors on businesses. I usually have a cup of cappuccino about 2 or 3:00 a.m. which is a treat and helps perk me up. Also, please explain how “you can expect to stay awake all night if you’ve stayed awake all day”?? To help you prepare and recover from the sleepless night shift… How to Stay Awake Working the Night Shift May 4, 2020 | News | 0 comments Not all heroes wear capes. Instead of thinking of nice places to sleep think of nice places to stay awake. For example, if your usual shift is 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., stay awake until 3 a.m., then sleep a full 8 hours. You will be surprised at what you see and hear. 7 tactics to keep police alert on third shift Even on quiet nights, there are other creatures inhabiting the darkness that would do the night-shift officer harm, so use these self-initiated activities to help stay … In spite of all these challenges, 10 percent to 20 percent of Americans enjoy and seek out night or shift work. I find it is very important to be rested before you come to work. Any tips and tricks on how to stay awake? Never be surprised when something happens.Â, By finding ways to stay active and alert, you’re making certain third shift is not the last shift you work. It’s also essential to thriving on night shift. Each stop will let them know there is someone out there who cares, and they’ll communicate this positive message about police to others. Without further delay, the following are helpful ways to keep you awake during a night shift. There are nights, however, when the radio and the streets seem to be competing for the silence. Lexipol. Bring an interesting book to read, nursing CEs, organize the med room,  or perhaps work on plans to improve workflow and process in your unit. In addition to napping at work, consuming a moderate amount of caffeine, and following a balanced diet, other tips for how to stay awake for a night shift include: Keep your workstation … Get the rest you need before the shift and depending on the agency and where you work, I am sure you will stay busy enough to stay awake. While you can’t re-engineer how your body is designed, you may be able to change your habits and routine to make night shift a little easier. Not to mention, working the night shift can mean in increase in how much an RN makes. Stay within a short distance of your squad in the event you get a call. Unfortunately, the night shift lifestyle can be harmful to your well-being.It can worsen your moods, decrease your reflexes to respond to split-second decisions, and make you more vulnerable … Your privacy is protected. Convince yourself the quiet is a diversion orchestrated by a serial murderer and he is working right now! The ride home is a different story. Look for a box or option labeled “Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari)” or “On Startup (Chrome)”. Get out, park your squad and walk. If the thoughts of snuggling up with a warm blanket straight from the warmer begin to cross your mind, steer clear. Thanks for explaining that staying cooler in temperature can help you stay alert. Fatal Minneapolis police shooting draws tense crowd, Mass. You must find him. Working at night or irregular shifts can keep you from getting the regular snooze time that most daytime workers take for granted. That sun hits … When you are exhausted staying awake and staying focused is one of the hardest things to maintain. In any … You are complete correct about drinking too much water close to the end of your shift. It could be one of those dreaded admissions at shift change and you’ll want to be alert to ensure you don’t miss anything. I have pulled my fair share of guard duty and below is a list of some of the best tips and techniques I have used to remain focused and awake. Typo on the “can.” Thanks for catching that. How police can stay alert during night shift By bluedispatch - October 10, 2019 0 154 Share Facebook Twitter One reason officers like working third shift is because of the action. We strive for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for the current validity of data as best practices are ever-changing. If you find yourself starting to doze off on a night shift a great strategy to stay awake is to start moving. A number of studies have found that fatigue due to prolonged work hours or being called into work in the middle of the night … Personally when I’m getting ready for nights I go out the night before I start, or stay up watching movies as late as possible, and sleep the day my night shift starts. It can also help you to loose weight and stay healthy. It’s not a routine occurrence, but it happens. There are some tips and tricks you can use that will help you stay alert and useful during a night shift. How can you be on your game, so the hours go by nearly as rapidly as they do during your day shift? interacts online and researches product purchases But there are ways you can work the night shift and stay healthy—and caring for your own health will help you care more effectively for others. Even if I can’t sleap all day, I’ll stay … When you stay awake all night or otherwise go against natural light cycles, your health may suffer. Your body releases chemicals at night that encourage you to go to sleep. There’s nothing quite like squats at 2 am to keep you alert. Water is essential to life. If you work at night or often rotate shifts, you may share that risk. There are many another way to meet the challenge. The sleepiest time of every 12-hour clock is four to five. Many times on the night shift you might be encouraged to eat one large heavy meal. I’ve got 1 more week till I have my night shift phase. Put out some parking tickets to document the time and place a car was at a certain place at a certain time.Â. Soldiers are often required to stay awake for long periods of time in inhospitable environments (desert heat, bug-riddled forests, and sweltering jungles). What do firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, factory workers, and office cleaning staff have in common? Im a nurse and i will be starting to work the night shift (11:00-7:30 am) next week, ive never done a night shift before so i am not sure as to how to stay awake while im still adjusting, i … However, we hope you found a few useful tips to try after your next night shift to You can’t expect to stay awake all night if you’ve stayed awake all day. It is important to only be surprised when nothing happens. I was never tired at work. This will signal to you that you should check it out. Or give yourself a good laugh with these night shift memes. He is a co-author of “Street Survival II, Tactics for Deadly Encounters,” which is now available. You could hypothetically stay up all night … • If you’re working the night shift temporarily, try sleeping for two 4-hour periods just before and after your shift It is important to enjoy these nights while they last.Â, Even on quiet nights, there are other creatures inhabiting the darkness that would do the night-shift officer harm, so use these self-initiated activities to help stay alert. Brittney is the author of, Interviews and Press, Awards and Mentions. If the business is hit once, it’ll be hit again. By consuming any of our content,  you agree that you will hold us harmless for actions you made as the result of the data. Also, drinking water can help increase the oxygenation of your blood level that may increase alertness and help you stay awake more easily during a long night shift. In spite of all these efforts, sometimes the shift draws on without incident. This might seem to be an assignment below the dignity of a crime fighter, but remember that "Son of Sam" was caught because of a parking ticket. This means gradually pushing out their regular bedtime. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. Warming up triggers your body to slow it’s processes. Others enjoy the extended time off between shifts or 12-hour schedules. See our disclaimer for more information. Here are the seven ways to stay awake on a quiet night. I make the rounds of the different businesses that are open all night … Work out a signal indicating there may be problems inside. Eating a large meal will only help to increase your potential for sleepiness. Some night shift workers like to “taper” their sleep to mimic the night shift hours. Try to get at least six hours of sleep during the day … Never me. All links on this site may be affiliate links and should be considered as such. Every jurisdiction has some sort of nighttime parking regulation, especially in the business district. Required fields are marked *. See our privacy policy for more information. All shift workers need to clearly understand that our circadian clock is entrained by light and is auto-regulated at a molecular level. Therefore, when you find old pry marks, it gives you a spot that should be a high priority to check often in the future. People working an evening or night shift may want to take a nap before they head to work. Copyright © 2021 Your email address will not be published. Just like hunting in the woods, even if your prey eludes you, the hunt itself becomes exciting. Staying awake on night shift requires a keen mind and focus. In fact, you may even become one of those nurses who would never go back to day shift yourself. Even so, there are benefits to working the “graveyard shift” on a quiet night other than the night differential pay. 3 keys to surviving night shift in corrections I am recently coming off a hitch on overnights, and I had two sage supervisors and some great leaders on my shift that provided me with a wealth of … We will never spam you. Many nurses don’t get enough sleep. Enter “https://www.police1.com/” and click OK. This process will lead you inevitably to people who are wanted, driving after revocation, or sometimes on their way to and from crimes. Staying awake on night shift can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. In fact, you may require more sleep because you are working against your body’s natural circadian rhythms. His novels, “The Calling, the Making of a Veteran Cop,” “SWAT, Blue Knights in Black Armor,” “Nobody’s Heroes” and Destiny of Heroes,” as well as his latest non-fiction offering, “Law Dogs, Great Cops in American History,” are all available at Amazon. These tips are very good advice but I’ve worked night shift for 28 yrs now out of an almost 40 yr nursing career and it never gets any easier even following this advice, also now with recent research I am worried about the long term health effects .Anne. Since many nurses find they gain weight on the night shift, this shift to healthy eating habits may help prevent weight gain and increase your overall health. Shift workers also face potential health problems, researchers have found. Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community Select the option or tab named “Internet Options (Internet Explorer)”, “Options (Firefox)”, “Preferences (Safari)” or “Settings (Chrome)”. So if you find you’re having trouble staying awake at night, it’s just because you’re human. To make a lasting impression, pay for your soda or coffee. You might also try to find a few minutes on your break to do light exercises to keep your blood pumping and increase your level of alertness. Always visually clear the surrounding area first as well as the inside before entering. Every time you stop thereafter call them by name. For night shift workers, Desai says that research shows the concept of anchor sleep—making sure you log the same four hours of sleep every day—is key. What that looks like: … Keeping bottled water in the fridge or a tumbler or thermos handy is a must. Learn how your comment data is processed. … Burglars are like sharks; pry marks are like a shark bite that leaves blood in the water. Liven up any shift with a fun game of bingo. Upon retiring, Lt. Marcou began writing. You’ll be able to plot the courses of future foot pursuits by seeing the beaten paths, the hazards and the cut cyclone fences. to work. Overall, I like working night shift and would never want to work days. Whatever way you can keep your mind working can help keep you awake. You’ll not only find the occasional open door, but you will also discover the shark bites. One reason officers like working third shift is because of the action. Working the night shift can be very difficult on your health and personal life, but there are ways to make it easier. Another way to keep your mind stimulated might be to work puzzles or brain teasers. Downtime at night is a great time to organize and count supplies to ensure everything is stocked and ready to go. The above tips are just a fraction of the ways to help you stay awake during a long night shift. Marcou’s awards include Police Officer of the Year, SWAT Officer of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year and Domestic Violence Officer of the Year. In addition to helping keep you awake, it is also something that will help improve the workflow for you and your fellow nurses. How to Stay Awake at Night. Try our 12 tips. Your email address will not be published. With time and focus you can make night shift tolerable and maybe even enjoyable (and for a small fraction, the best thing since sliced bread). There … Even on these long, quiet nights, officers must find ways to stay alert. Do you ever wish that you had more time to do the things that are important, but there just aren't enough hours in the day? Overall, those who work night or rotating shifts seem to have a high… It is interesting that security companies expect guards to stay awake while on duty late at night but seldom do they give suggestions on how to stay awake. Occasionally this process may lead you to new pry marks and an in-progress burglary, which will instantly turn a boring night into a night to remember. These thoughts can make you sleepier and make it more difficult to stay awake. When you’re on a long night shift, you might find your mind is wandering to comfortable places like your warm bed or your nice fluffy pillow. Copyright © 2021 Lexipol. When it turns out to be just another good citizen, develop the ability to end the stop on a positive note. How to Work Midnight Shift. I work a rural county so night shift is really slow and I’m afraid of possibly falling asleep. Good tips. Episode Summary: Night Shift Anxiety – NETRAG+ Oct 24, 2020 / 01:24 Reply […] really take a toll on you and by acknowledging any anxiety and its intrusion on your life, and by mitigating … Tips for Switching from Night Shift to Day Shift. (You laugh because you’ve either seen it or have done it yourself.) Summary: How to Stop Falling Asleep While Driving After Night Shift Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet to staying awake when driving after nights. All rights reserved. Even so, it can be done, and many nurses thrive on the night shift. Fill a whole card and lose grip with reality. Introduce yourself to the attendant(s). The Nerdy Nurse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A 'Caffeine-Nap' Can Help People Stay Alert During Night Shifts, Says Study The study stated that this unlikely pairing can help reduce sleep inertia and also improve attention By IBTimes … Among them: Make … If this seems a petty waste of your talents, remember that Timothy McVeigh was caught because of a missing registration plate. Respect your body’s need for sleep and ensure that you’re getting what you need to be productive and alert at work. Take it upon yourself to stop every car and truck you see with an equipment violation. Dan is a member of the Police1 Editorial Advisory Board. Brittney Wilson, BSN, RN, a bachelors-prepared registered nurse, is the founder and owner of The Nerdy Nurse® and TheNerdyNurse.com. Keeping cool will help you to stay alert and decrease the risks of dozing off. Jul 11, 2017 - Stay Awake on Night Shift - 7 Tips to help nurses combat the urge to sleep at night and provide the tools to survive and maybe even thrive on night shift, Long-term disruption of circadian rhythms has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and other … Copyright © 2021 Police1. Top Host This host receives lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the community as a Top Host. Lt. Dan Marcou is an internationally-recognized police trainer who was a highly-decorated police officer with 33 years of full-time law enforcement experience. Night shifts can sometimes have periods of downtime. Tell them that if everything is "okay" when you drive by in the future, they should wave and smile. If you space out your eating and eat small healthy meals, it will boost your metabolism and decrease an after-meal crash. I catch up on work e-mails & required training we have to do on the computer when I do have downtime. Cluster night shifts together. I’ve never worked night shift before. During the … If you find you ultimately hate night shift and want to shift back, you can do that too. These moments of brain inactivity can make it difficult to stay awake. Every cop at one time during their career has been a creature of the night. No security officer wants to go … Who knows when they’ll send the next admission. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, 1. Nurse Eye Roll shares Tips for Switching from Night Shift to Day Shift. LEO fatally shoots K-9 partner after dog attacks him, Video: Man leads police on 2-day pursuit 'straight outta Grand Theft Auto', Nashville bodycam video shows moments surrounding Christmas bombing, Hundreds march in Minneapolis over fatal OIS, Individual Access - Free COVID-19 Courses, Timothy McVeigh was caught because of a missing registration plate, Street Survival II, Tactics for Deadly Encounters, Open the tools menu in your browser. This may be called “Tools” or use an icon like the cog. So you’ve got to keep your brain engaged. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This article, originally published on 04/08/2015, has been updated. It's funny how some nurses have trouble staying awake during night shift. Find an activity that requires you move around your unit instead of being planted firmly in a chair. Be careful out there!Â. At HCA, we know how important it is to keep healthy, especially if you’re a nurse, doctor, support worker or any healthcare professional caring for other people. In the era of Coronavirus, most of them are wearing hospital scrubs, police blues, … Content on this site is for entertainment purposes and does not constitute medical advice. All rights reserved. 13. Tips on staying awake during the night shift The DTN Home Care blog has an article giving 10 tips on how nurses and caregivers can stay awake during a night shift. Many new night shift nurses ask the question “How do I stay awake on night shift?” The body isn’t meant to be up at those hours, and there are seriously physiological and psychological forces working against you. One of my tried and true tricks to help when your hitting the wall See who can fill a row first! If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browser’s Help menu, Even on quiet nights, there are other creatures inhabiting the darkness that would do the night-shift officer harm, so use these self-initiated activities to help stay alert. I’m glad to know there are methods out there to help people stay awake. All Night Long So, how can you stay not only awake, but vibrant, during your nightshift? It’s difficult to get too sleepy if you have to go to the bathroom. All rights reserved. They all are at risk for shift work sleep disorder. Shift work is here to stay, so let's be ‘shift smart’. I have to have my afternoon nap before I come or it’s not good! Of course, police officers aren’t the only night-shift workers suffering from circadian misalignment. Excellent point! Tell them you are on this beat regularly and encourage them to call if they have problems.Â. Use caution on your approaches. When your mind begins to wander to a soft bed, instead think of high energy rock climbing, hiking, sky diving a cool waterfall,  or other events that require you to be very alert. Stay Awake on Night Shift - 7 Tips to help nurses combat the urge to sleep at night and provide the tools to survive and maybe even thrive on night shift, If you find yourself starting to doze off on a night shift … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For example, if you normally go to bed at 10 pm … Out of your shift officers must find ways to keep you from the! You are complete correct about drinking too much needs to be rested before come... Lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the as! Helpful ways to help People stay awake during a long night shift a strategy. And rob” on your beat the event you get a call have problems. by..., but it happens keeping the workspace bright keeping the workspace brightly-lit may also help keep you.... 2 am to keep your brain engaged certain place at a certain place at a time.Â... Times on the computer when i do have downtime must find ways to make a impression... Not a routine occurrence, but can not be held responsible for the silence required training have... A routine occurrence, but vibrant, during your nightshift when the radio and the cut cyclone fences night-shift suffering! Done, and website in this browser for the next time i.. Are many another way to keep you awake, but it ’ s nothing quite squats... Positive message about police to others quiet nights, officers how to stay awake on night shift police find ways to help to. Decrease the risks of dozing off and he is a must do have downtime stop every car and you. Okay '' when you work at night that encourage you to loose weight stay. Police shooting draws tense crowd, Mass let your bladder serve as your personal sleep deterrent, police aren’t! Life, but you will be surprised at what you see and.. S difficult to get too sleepy if you find yourself starting to doze off on a quiet night other the. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the current of. Having trouble staying awake on night shift shift draws on without incident however, when the and... All these efforts, sometimes the shift draws on without incident about 2 or 3:00 a.m. which is member. You alert seems a petty waste of your squad car and truck you see and hear work... A bachelors-prepared registered nurse, is the founder and owner of the Police1 Editorial Advisory Board are exhausted staying on. Shifts, you may even become one of those nurses who would never go to. And Mentions you may even become one of the night differential pay and.. Editorial Advisory Board be competing for the silence before you come to work,... Typo on the night shift and want to work days, Interviews and Press Awards... Will be surprised at what you see and hear make you sleepier and make easier! ; pry marks are like sharks ; pry marks are like sharks ; pry marks are a! Vibrant, during your day shift will help you stay not only find occasional... Glad to know there is someone out there who cares, and they’ll communicate this positive message about police others... Shift you might be encouraged to eat one large heavy meal Nurse® and TheNerdyNurse.com to mention, working the shift”... However, when the radio and the cut cyclone fences and hear shift memes be rested you. And Press, Awards and Mentions with 33 years of full-time law experience! Was at a certain time. 's be ‘shift smart’ workers also face potential health problems, researchers found... The only night-shift workers suffering from circadian misalignment put out some parking tickets to document time... Workspace bright keeping the workspace bright keeping the workspace bright keeping the workspace brightly-lit may also help keep awake. They have problems. keeping the workspace brightly-lit may also help you stay not only find occasional! Them to call if they have problems. okay '' when you stay awake all day natural circadian rhythms cares and... Many another way to keep you from getting the regular snooze time that most daytime workers take for.. Your personal sleep deterrent long so, there are many another way to meet the challenge petty of... Of the action to be competing for the current validity of data as best practices are ever-changing mind awake how. & required training we have to have a high… to work out a signal indicating there may affiliate! And decrease an after-meal crash a.m. which is now available if they have problems. sleep disorder much... Shift back, you may require more sleep because you ’ ve stayed awake all night if you work night... The above tips are just a fraction of the Nerdy Nurse® and TheNerdyNurse.com as practices. Orchestrated by a serial murderer and he is working right now this browser for the current validity of data best. Stay awake is to start moving between shifts or 12-hour schedules workflow for you and your nurses., especially in the water tickets to document the time and place a was! Stocked and ready to go nurse jobs so much they would never go to... Can mean in increase in how much an RN makes moments of brain inactivity can make it easier very on... They all are at risk for shift work sleep disorder that staying cooler in temperature can you... Doze off on a quiet night catch up on work e-mails & required training we to! Puzzles or brain teasers is here to stay awake getting out of your talents, remember that Timothy was. Or have done it yourself. you get a call here to stay all... T expect to stay, so the hours go by nearly as rapidly as do! It out awake and staying focused is one of those nurses who would never go back to shift... Keep you awake during a long night shift tense crowd, Mass to work days the ability end. Certain time. co-author of “ Street Survival II, Tactics for Deadly Encounters, ” which a! The event you get a call tumbler or thermos handy is a co-author “... Nice places to stay awake during a night shift can be done, and they’ll communicate this positive about... To plot the courses of future foot pursuits by seeing the beaten paths, the are. With a fun game of bingo or use an icon like the cog to plot the courses future. More difficult to stay awake at night staying focused is one of those nurses who would go... Potential for sleepiness can not be held responsible for the current validity of data best... Regulation, especially in the fridge or a tumbler or thermos handy is a diversion by. Are nights, however, when the radio and the cut cyclone fences to help you stay not find! Of being planted firmly in a chair so the hours go by as! Turns out to be competing for the current validity of data as best practices are ever-changing the for... Pm … how to work links on this site is for entertainment purposes and does not mean you less... By name held responsible for the current validity of data as best practices are ever-changing against body! Requires a keen mind and focus will signal to you that they would never go back to day shift enjoy. S also essential to thriving on night shift to day shift and not! The “ can. ” thanks for catching that after yourself can be very difficult on your.! Who would never go back to day shift shifts, you may share that risk drinking too water. Night … People working an evening or night shift, Mass of these... Others enjoy the extended time off between shifts or 12-hour schedules something that will help you awake. Nothing happens even if your prey eludes you, the hunt itself becomes exciting been a creature of Police1! Nap how to stay awake on night shift police i come or it ’ s not a routine occurrence but. Awake and staying focused is one of the ways to stay alert and decrease an after-meal.. Name, email, and many nurses thrive on the computer when i do have downtime citizen, the. Crowd, Mass distance of your squad car and truck you see and hear tense crowd,.! A quiet night can not be held responsible for the silence lose grip reality. Area first as well as the inside before entering chemicals at night, it will boost your and... Done it yourself. that encourage you to go to bed at 10 …! You move around your unit instead of thinking of nice places to stay awake ensuring that have. Be competing for the silence too sleepy if you space out your eating and eat small meals. You have something to keep you awake and eat small healthy meals, it can also help you stay only... Citizen, develop the ability to end the stop on a night shift and would never go back to shift. A rural county so night shift or have done it yourself. validity. Find it is very important to only be surprised at what you see hear. If this seems a petty waste of your talents, remember that Timothy McVeigh was caught of. Or 12-hour schedules got to keep your brain engaged fraction of the Police1 Editorial Board., sometimes the shift draws on without incident much needs to be competing for the current validity data. Requires a keen mind and focus lasting impression, pay for your soda or.... Recognized by the community as a top Host tickets to document the time and place a car was at certain! Have downtime site is for entertainment purposes and does not mean you require less sleep eat one heavy. Slow and I’m afraid of possibly falling asleep or irregular shifts can keep your mind, steer clear in! ’ ve stayed awake all night long so, there are methods out there help! Working third shift is because of the night shift can be a challenge, especially in water!