How I Prepare for and Recover From a 26-Hour Nursing Shift

Sometimes the hardest part of a 26-hour nursing shift is the moment you finally get to lie down.

You've been working for hours. You go to the on-call room, lie down, and hope to get some sleep.

And then your phone rings.

Someone needs you on the ward, or there's an emergency. You get up, go downstairs, and do what needs to be done.

Eventually, you return to your room. You lie down again.

And the phone rings again.

Sometimes you're just thinking, "Come on. I really need to sleep."

It's physically exhausting, but mentally and emotionally difficult too.

I work these shifts three or four times a month, starting at 1 p.m. and finishing at 3 p.m. the following day. And quite often, I'm back at work the next morning.

Over time, I've found a few things that help me manage them better.

My morning is my time

Before a long shift, I don't usually try to sleep longer. I actually prefer getting up early.

I meditate, and most mornings I go for a run.

Running is a big part of my life. I've noticed a real difference when I run before work. I feel better physically, but especially mentally.

Sometimes I spend time maintaining my aquarium. Working with the plants, watching the fish, doing something peaceful. I really enjoy those moments.

My partner and I are expecting our first baby, so I know my mornings will change.

Right now, I'm lucky to have that time mostly to myself. Many nurses with children don't have that luxury.

But I hope I'll always find a little time for myself, even if that means waking up earlier.

My 45-minute drive to work

I almost always use my drive intentionally.

Sometimes I listen to an inspiring podcast or audiobook. Other times I make a phone call, think about my goals, or practice incantations.

For me, incantations aren't just repeating positive words. They're about really feeling what I'm saying, using my voice and emotions to change my state of mind.

What I choose depends on how I'm feeling that day.

I also prepare some food, drink plenty of water during the shift, and usually have coffee in the morning and another around 2 p.m.

Nothing extraordinary. Just habits that work for me.

When the shift gets difficult

Of course, all this preparation doesn't make 26 hours easy.

Especially when your sleep keeps getting interrupted.

Sometimes I notice myself becoming less patient or irritated. Little things suddenly seem much harder than usual.

I try to recognize what's happening instead of ignoring it.

Sometimes a few slow breaths help. Sometimes I step outside for fresh air. And sometimes I just focus on the next thing I need to do instead of thinking about how many hours are still ahead.

I don't always get it right.

And I think that's important to admit.

Leaving work behind

When I finish at 3 p.m., I still have about 45 minutes before I'm home.

Most of the time, I prefer silence. Sometimes peaceful music or a phone call.

I need some space between work and home.

Because leaving the hospital doesn't necessarily mean my mind has left it too.

Sometimes I even stay in the parked car for a few minutes before going inside.

I want to be present with my partner, not still mentally somewhere at the hospital.

My recovery at home

When I get home around 4 p.m., I first notice how exhausted I actually feel.

If my energy is really low, around 4 out of 10 or less, I'll tell my partner something like, "Hey, I had a difficult shift. I love you, but give me twenty minutes, and then I'll be more present with you."

Then I take a short power nap.

Another thing that really helps me is getting outside. After spending almost 26 hours mostly indoors, I love getting some fresh air.

If we have time, my partner and I go for a walk. Sometimes I go alone, even just for 15 or 20 minutes.

And probably the biggest part of my recovery is getting to bed early. Usually around 9 or 9:30 p.m., definitely before 10.

Because tomorrow might be another morning shift, and I want to give myself enough time to sleep.

One thing I've learned

After more than ten years in nursing, I've realized that finishing a shift and actually recovering from it are two different things.

We spend so much time looking after other people that sometimes we forget to ask ourselves how we're doing.

That's one reason I started building Between Shifts.

I created a small, free Post-Shift Check-In to help nurses pause after work, notice how they're feeling, and consider what they might need.

I'm still learning to do that myself.

I'd genuinely love to hear from you: What helps you recover after a particularly difficult shift?