New graduates normally find it very hard to adjust from their normal day schedule to night time working schedule.

• Schedule your time
  Create a sleep clock for yourself, you will have to remember that sleep is a luxury so make good use of your time. Schedule when to wake up and stick to that time for your body to get used to it and eventually you will naturally wake up with no struggles.
• Give yourself time to adjust
  Our bodies have a high ability to adjust from whatever schedule you were before to your new one. Just be patient with yourself and all will fall into place.
• Drink a lot of water
  This will keep your body hydrated and at the same time keep you on your toes, you know those bathroom trips will save you from falling asleep at work.
• Do all your 3 or 4 nights in a row
  The first night is normally very hard but the second not so much, so try as much as possible to attend to all your three or four night shifts in a row, this will help your body get used to the new schedule.
• Plan your hours
  As a health worker who works the night shift you need to plan your hours this way you will know when you’re going forward rounds, when to organise your records and even when you’re taking a walk. Account for all your hours of that night and you will smoothly navigate through your shift.
• Walk around
  Movement from one place to another helps you to clear you mind which is why we highly recommend that you should walk around the unit, climb up the stairs or down the stairs and believe it you will be fresh and ready to finish that shift with style.
• Treat your nights as a normal day
  This is your new normal as a night Nurse, LPN or a CNA so treat it like any other day.
• Eat Well
  Since this is like your “Day’ before you leave for work eat “heavy breakfast” this will work as your fuel for the night, somewhere at around 10:30-11 take a bite then at around 4am take a smoothie or oatmeal. This will help you on your way home and even when you get home you won’t have to cook but sleep.