In the world of healthcare, 12-hour shifts are par for the course. If you’re working a healthcare role right now, the chances are that you face your long shifts with one thing in mind – survival. Unfortunately, this ‘must manage’ mentality is no way to love the career you’re in. That’s a crying shame, considering that you probably entered the world of healthcare because you were passionate about helping people. But did you know that it is possible to thrive during even your longest shifts, rather than simply surviving them? Keep reading as we consider three small focuses that could help you achieve that goal.

Remember that you became a healthcare worker to make a difference. While it’s all too easy to forget about that when you’re ten hours into a shift where you’ve faced a fair few unhappy patients already, keeping your eye on those outcomes is sure to see you enjoying your shifts more. You see, for every shift you work, you’re having some kind of positive impact on your patients. Obviously, this is easiest to see during shifts when you perform life-saving procedures, but it’s important for the less obvious, everyday things, too. For instance, even just minimising a patient’s pain is hugely important, while making a frightened patient smile can provide untold comfort during difficult times. These are the moments that should make up your memories of each shift, and are the things that can really help you to keep going when energy levels start to flag.

It can be difficult to survive a 12-hour shift if you’re feeling uncomfortable throughout or are finding yourself plagued by blistered feet and aching limbs. Of course, the length of these shifts means that some degree of discomfort may be inevitable, but there’s also plenty you can do to find comfort wherever possible. Footwear is perhaps the most obvious thing here, and should be supportive, padded, and soft to ensure that you’re happy to stay on your feet for longer. Investing in high-quality medical scrubs for healthcare professionals that come complete with plenty of stretch and decent sizing can also help you to stay comfortable, smiling, and thriving. 

Let’s be honest, dedicated breaks can be pretty tough to come by in healthcare. No sooner have you sat down to take a breather than an emergency drags you away again. But it’s still vital that you remember the importance of seeking stillness and calm throughout your shift. Something as simple as stepping outside for five minutes between patient calls can go a long way towards steadying your mind and keeping you going. Equally, access to quick-fire wellness apps like Calm can see you undergoing quick meditation sessions that keep you grounded and mindful even in the last hours of your shift. This is a small change, but it could be the thing to keep you calm, happy, and humbled from your first hour to your twelfth hour and even beyond.