Blog Post Focus
This post will focus getting sleep while on-call. Getting sleep as an on-call resident is not always possible. If you have some time free and want to rest you often will have barriers to rest. Here are some thoughts on how to get rest while being the on-call resident.
General—On-call or Float and Sleep
Getting sleep while on-call or on night float can be difficult. Your call rooms may not be so suitable for sleep. You may be amped up and anxious with sick patients and with whomever you are working that night. However, if there is some down time and you are tired, I bet you want to get some sleep.
Personal Experience Trying To Sleep with Night Float and Call
I experienced both night float systems and 24-hour call systems. Night float meant I was on a dedicated service to nights. I worked 13 hours from 5pm to 6am. 24-hour calls meant that I went in the same time as a normal day shift, and then stayed overnight.
Neither system was ideal. It is hard to change a sleep schedule entirely to adjust to nights and then back to days when it is over. 24-hour shifts are always tough.
Night float was definitely easier to adjust too than numerous 24-hour shifts in a week, but both were tiring. I generally tried to sleep on both if able. Some nights were busier than others, but often I would have some downtime and try to take a nap if on night float or get prolonged sleep if on 24-hour call. Some nights were so busy regardless I got no sleep. Some nights were amenable to rest.
Tips for Getting Rest During Night Float or Call
Each specialty has different expectations. Each service has different expectations. While my calls and night float experiences are likely different than most, I think some of the following may be suitable to the majority of residents.
Adjust Yourself or the Environment?
One, see if you can adjust the environment or need to adjust yourself. That is, what changes can you make to your call room and which changes can you make to yourself?
Two, adjust the environment as needed.
Do your call room accommodations enable sleep? Are there bright monitors? Is there a harsh light that cannot be turned off? What about noises?
Environmental Barriers to Rest
Sometimes call rooms are just uncomfortable and not conducive to rest. Bright monitors may be turned off or covered with a blanket. A harsh light that cannot be turned off can be covered. Noises can be addressed depending on their source. If the noises are coming from colleagues, hopefully you can point out that they need to be respectful of your rest. If the noises come from pipes or alarms on nearby units that is more difficult to address.
Even if you don’t plan on sleeping, having a comfortable room without harsh light or noise can help you rest to some extent and relieve some stress.
Personal Barriers to Rest
Three, adjust yourself as needed.
Is the temperature difficult to control? Are the pillows uncomfortable?
Bring a change of clothes. Bring a blanket if it tends to get cold. Bring a pillow if you need something more comfortable to sleep on. If you need complete darkness for sleep consider a sleeping mask. I bought one on amazon that really helped with me getting rest and sleep on shifts (see resources below). If your phone is another distraction, set it on a table away from you (but, if you need to hear it, make sure it is on!).
Concluding Thoughts—There Are Ways to Improve Rest On-Call
Sleep and rest are much easier to achieve with an environment suitable for rest and sleep. Try to adjust your environment as necessary. Then, adjust yourself as necessary. Don’t do anything to preclude you from being able to react to calls for your help – always have your pager or phone or whatever you need available. However, making some changes can make getting rest or sleep on night float or call more reasonable.
Resources
I’ll link to the sleep mask I bought and used on amazon that helped me get more sleep during residency. Note, I do not have affiliate links at this time, I simply like this mask because I used it and it helped me get sleep. I like it because it has a bit of a contour to the eye areas that give space for my eyelashes and also make a good seal to prevent light from entering. It can be uncomfortable if trying to sleep on side or prone. Sleeping and resting supine is good though. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KC5DWCC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
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