NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours

Strategies to Cope with High Demands from Work and Home (Continued)

5. Evaluate whether the demands on you are more realistic.

After implementing the plan for a period of time (for example, 2 weeks), assess how you feel about the demands on your time. Note your mood and fill out the sleepiness scale and sleep diary again for about a week. Do you see any improvements in sleepiness or fatigue or problems with sleep? Have a discussion with the important people in your home life to get their views on the change. If you made changes to your work situation, consider discussing your progress with your supervisor. Determine whether the plan needs to be modified further. If it does, make the modification and reassess after a period of time (such as another 2 weeks).

Make taking care of yourself a high priority. All the people in your life will benefit from a healthy, less stressed you!