Coping with shifts: are you prioritising your own well-being?
In this episode of the Nursing Standard podcast two nurses share their experiences of the challenges and benefits of working shifts during their careers, including how irregular hours can lead to social isolation, poor diet and disrupted sleep. They emphasise the importance of good quality rest and the need for nursing staff to prioritise self-care.
In the latest Nursing Standard podcast two nurses share their experiences of the challenges and benefits of working shifts, and the importance of good quality rest and self-care
For many nurses, working shifts is just part of the job – but it brings with it a host of potential issues that can affect physical and mental well-being.
Irregular hours can contribute to social isolation, maintaining a healthy diet can be nearly impossible and sleep patterns are inevitably disrupted.
The importance of good quality rest when working shifts
In this episode of the Nursing Standard podcast, two nurses discuss their experiences of shift work – positive and negative.
Children’s nurse Simone Portman, who worked shifts for around a decade before becoming a teaching associate at the University of Nottingham, is joined by Penny Tremayne, a former ward sister and healthcare assistant who has written about nurse well-being and the effects of working shifts.
Ms Tremayne is now a senior lecturer in adult nursing an the school of nursing and midwifery at De Montfort University in Leicester.
They chat with Nursing Standard features editor and podcast host Alistair Mason about how they learned to deal with the pressures of shift work.
One theme that emerges is the importance of good quality rest – and why nurses need to get comfortable with sometimes putting themselves first.
More Nursing Standard podcastsRelated articles
- Exploring nurses’ well-being and strategies to support self-care
- Night shifts – strategies to help you sleep better
- How to cope with shifts as a nursing student
