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Original poster

Things to keep me occupied on a night shift were I have to do very little

19 replies

Redcampions · 03/02/2019 01:54

I am starting work as a support work for a girl with disabilities 3 nights a week. She mainly sleeps through the night I just need to turn her every 2 hours and give her meds every 3. She needs someone to be there all the time in case her sats drop and then oxygen and suction will be given. In this case an alarm will sound. I need to be awake as she may choke and she makes a very distinct noise before she does this which will alert me
Her parents have told me I can bring things to do to pass the night such as a book to read. Has anyone else got any suggestions

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 03/02/2019 01:59

provoding her parents are happy any quiet games console , iPad , kindle , knitting , sewing etc .

ILiveInSalemsLot · 03/02/2019 01:59

A tablet so you can watch Netflix or do a course online. There are loads of free ones.
Take up knitting or something similar.
Listen to podcasts and audiobooks.

Birdie6 · 03/02/2019 02:06

When I did a job like that I taught myself to knit and to crochet. Reading / watching Netflix could be dangerous , it's so easy to nod off to sleep . Which could be fatal for the girl you're looking after.

SpoonBlender · 03/02/2019 02:34

I guess movies/tv/podcasts on your phone are out as you have to be able to hear for her.

Books are good. Lots of them and a Nintendo Switch/3DS/phone games (not shitty ones that make you pay £2.99 to get gems to carry on playing!) would be my go-to. Sketching. Writing. Knitting. Spread betting. eBay trading. Correcting Wikipedia articles. Mumsnet (etc, random internettery). An Open University course.

I'd suggest an uncomfortable seat to make it harder to drop off - or maybe one of those yoga balls. Might be hard to squeeze in at the residence.

aurynne · 03/02/2019 02:55

It's a great chance to do online studies and further your qualifications if you are interested. In my quiet night shifts I do a lot of online professional development :)

BigMandy · 03/02/2019 03:31

I would probably build in some stretching or yoga moves and try to become more flexible in this time which would also help me stay awake.
Is there enough light to clean the room by? I think I would want to spend some time in making things a bit better for the girl - whether that's polishing her shoes or tidying her room or creating a spotify list she might enjoy.

Littleraindrop15 · 03/02/2019 03:37

Get a colouring book for adults.. I'm on a night shift and enjoying a little colouring

junebirthdaygirl · 03/02/2019 05:29

Suduko is great for the brain and engrossing.
I would also set myself a target of reading books off the lists of must read books. Local library would help here.
Maybe make a patch work quilt or something big so you have something to show for all the hours.
Do you just sit in the room with your client or can you move around the house. If you can l would do an exercise video every night.
Also, as said, online studying.

hidinginthenightgarden · 03/02/2019 06:19

I got a grown up for to dot. It’s amazing. Numbers go up to 1000.

Silkie2 · 03/02/2019 06:35

Jigsaws are good because you sit forward to do it so it's hard to drop off ( without waking yourself up) but you would need somewhere to keep it at their house.

Original poster
Redcampions · 03/02/2019 14:47

I love the learning to crochet idea and I am taking a teaching assistant online course soon.
I will also look at adult dot to dot books and colouring books.
Also the yoga idea
I will be in her room all the time with her. There is a dim light on and I can having a lamp

OP posts:
user1493413286 · 03/02/2019 14:55

Suduko is great for that; you don’t want anything too calming or relaxing (at least I wouldn’t). Also can you get stuff done like reply to emails or online shopping or is that too far?

SummerHouse · 03/02/2019 14:57

The Goldfinch by Donna Taart. I want to stay up all night reading it.

Original poster
Redcampions · 04/02/2019 14:39

Yep I can do online stuff as well. I did my first shift last night and it was lovely to actually have some me time to think and ponder.

OP posts:
Dontfuckingsaycheese · 04/02/2019 14:44

Ooh how about treating yourself to trashy magazines and doing all the competitions?

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 04/02/2019 14:46

Could you offer to do any light housewok stuff like ironing? Or could you take your own to do? 😉

Peacocking · 05/02/2019 17:13

Kindle unlimited for reading. Netflix and headphones. You-tube for mindless watching. Little notepad for planning any projects, to-do lists. Online shopping/grocery shopping. Some caffeine for the moments when you feel drowsy. Quiet exercises that you can do without disturbing her. Online newspapers.

I love night shifts, no people to talk to and lots of head space (fingers crossed, on a good night!)

TadaTralala · 05/02/2019 17:19

I'll second crochet, also drawing, reading, etc?

Annunaki · 05/02/2019 20:43

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