Looking after yourself on night shifts

You can’t look after patients well if you don’t look after yourself. Nights are hard on everyone, and a few simple habits make them safer for you and your patients.

Fatigue is a safety issue

Being tired impairs your performance as much as, or more than, being over the legal alcohol limit for driving. Most people hit a low point around 04:00. Double-check anything high risk at that time, especially prescriptions.

The basics

• Eat and drink on every night, even when it’s busy.
• Take a break. A short nap on your break, of no more than 20 minutes, helps if your hospital allows it.
• Use caffeine early in the shift rather than late, so you can sleep when you get home.

Getting home

Plan how you’ll get home before your first night. Doctors driving after very long shifts have more crashes and near-misses. If you’re too tired to drive, rest first, or take a taxi or public transport.

After a hard night

A death, a mistake or a rude phone call can stay with you. Talk to someone: another junior, your registrar, your supervisor or a friend. If something is still bothering you after a few days, get help.

• If you’re in danger now: call 000.
• Lifeline: 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14.
• Drs4Drs: 1300 374 377, 24 hours a day, confidential support for doctors anywhere in Australia.