Mastering the art of nursing requires managing various aspects during those 12-hour shifts. After nearly a decade in the field, I've discovered some nurse life hacks that have made my shifts 90% stress-free. Whether you work day or night shifts, these tips can enhance your daily nursing life and patient care.

Prepare for long shifts with these hacks:

1. Plan meals ahead: Buy groceries and cook food in bulk for all your shifts. Eating homemade leftovers is healthier and more cost-effective than buying food at work.

2. Opt for long-acting carbohydrates: Fuel yourself with foods like fruits, vegetables, brown rice, beans, whole grain breads, and sweet potatoes to sustain energy during demanding hours, especially for night shift nurses.

3. Snack throughout your shift: Take a few minutes during morning and evening breaks to munch on healthy snacks, maintaining stable blood sugar levels and keeping your energy up.

4. Stay hydrated: Fill your water bottle before starting your shift to ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day.

5. Convenient lunch packing: When you return home, put your entire lunch bag, Tupperware and all, in the fridge. Save time on washing dishes and reuse your Tupperware for the next day's meal.

6. Rotate shifts smartly: Consider alternating one night on, one night off, and then finishing your last two shifts, or vice versa. This can be helpful if you struggle with night shift schedules, offering more personal time for gym, sleep, or leisure activities.

Enhance patient care with these routines:

1. Pain management: Create a pain schedule right from the start for chronic pain patients, ensuring they know what to expect. For regular patients, inquire about their home pain management and schedule pain assessments accordingly.

2. Restlessness: Help restless patients get some rest by offering Tylenol and a relaxing bath before bedtime.

3. Unruly alcoholic patients: If they need sublingual Zyprexa, use a mouth swab to prevent any biting.

4. ICU patients: Remember the 3 D's - Dopamine, Dobutamine, and Diprovan - when weight calculations are required for drips.

5. Hourly rounds: Perform hourly check-ins with patients to prevent falls and reduce call light usage.

6. Bedside charting: Chart at the bedside whenever possible to minimize errors and avoid using your body as a makeshift notepad.

7. Collaborate with CNAs: Establish a plan with your CNA at the beginning of your shift, especially for total care patients, discussing turning schedules and bathing times.

Ensure family care with these practices:

1. Maintain patient comfort and cleanliness: Keep patients clean and presentable, and provide a sheet regardless of their temperature for modesty.

2. Communicate with family members: Introduce yourself at the start of your shift and discuss the care plan for the night, offering reassurance and trust.

3. Answer questions patiently: Be open to answering even the smallest queries from family members to make them feel involved and informed.

4. Keep the family updated: Utilize the whiteboard to provide essential information, even if the patient is unable to communicate.

5. Keep the room tidy: Maintain a clean and organized room, ensuring it's a comfortable environment for both patients and their families.

Embrace routines for an efficient nursing life:

1. Establish personal routines: While mastering nursing skills is vital, developing personal routines can save time and energy, contributing to job satisfaction and improved patient care.

By incorporating these life hacks, you can enhance your nursing career and make your 12-hour shifts more manageable and fulfilling. Click here to explore new travel assignments in your dream city