SHIFT WORKER SLEEP DISORDER: 10 tips to fight sleep deprivation as a nurse

Ask Nurse Alice

No matter how old you are, what occupation you hold, or where you live in the world we can all agree that sleep is essential to functioning properly on a day-to-day basis.

That being said, as a Registered Nurse (RN) getting a full amount of sleep can be hard due to the constant and rigorous schedules they must endure. This is especially true for those who work swing shifts, rotating shifts, or night shifts. Losing a minimal amount of sleep can cause changes in a person’s mood, energy level, and ability to handle stress.

Shift Worker Sleep Disorder (SWSD) is a common disorder amongst nurses. It is known as a circadian sleep disorder that affects the body’s circadian rhythm and the function of the body clock that regulates time periods for sleep.

In this podcast Nurse Alice opens up about a scary incident where she was very sleep-deprived and had a car accident. Later, she discusses advice for improving sleep quality as a sleep-deprived nurse.
Read the full article here: https://nurse.org/articles/shift-work-sleep-disorder/