Category: Nursing Lifestyle

Working a 12-hour night shift is a little different from working during the day. I’ve learned to bring things that help me stay hydrated, have something to eat when I get hungry, and make it through those long overnight hours. I don’t bring anything complicated. These are simply the things that actually come to work with me.

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Water Jug & Cure Electrolyte Mix

Hydration is one of the first things I think about before going to work. I bring my water jug along with Cure Electrolyte Drink Mix. I like Cure because it uses plant-based ingredients, and it’s an easy way for me to keep up with hydration during a long shift. My favorite flavor is Blood Orange

My Night-Shift Snacks

I snack quite a bit during night shift, especially when I need something to munch on while staying awake. Gummy snacks are usually my choice—Gummy Bears, Sour Patch Kids, and Life Savers are some of the ones I bring. They’re easy to pack, easy to grab, and they satisfy my sweet tooth during a long night.

What I Pack for Lunch

When I bring a full meal, I usually keep it pretty simple. Sometimes it’s homemade turkey chili with crackers. Other nights I’ll bring a pasta dish made with ground chicken or turkey, tuna with crackers, soup, or whatever I have prepared at home. And occasionally, there’s homemade adobo. That one definitely makes for a good night-shift meal.

Gel Pens Are a Must

Gel pens are a must for me. I use them constantly for hand-offs and writing patient report sheets. It seems like such a small thing, but when you’re writing throughout the shift, having a pen you actually like using makes a difference.

Phone & Charger

My phone and charger come with me every shift. A 12-hour shift is a long time, and the last thing I want is to realize halfway through the night that my phone is running out of battery.

Studying for My CPAN

If I happen to get some downtime during the night, I’ll use some of that time to study for my CPAN certification. I keep study materials available so I can review when the opportunity comes up.

The Bottom Line

None of this is fancy. It’s simply what works for me after years of working nursing shifts. Night shift can be long, so I like coming prepared—with plenty to drink, enough food and snacks, a good pen, my charger, and something productive to do if I happen to get a quiet moment.

And yes, there will probably be gummies somewhere in my bag.

After years of working as a nurse, I’ve learned that what you bring to work can make a long shift a little easier. My nursing bag isn’t filled with anything fancy—just practical things I actually use and have found helpful during my shifts. From the shoes I wear to the small things like hand cream and lip balm, these are the everyday items that have earned a place in my bag.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use or genuinely recommend.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I Actually Bring to Work

These are the things I regularly bring with me—not because they’re trendy, but because they’re useful during a nursing shift.

My FIGS Tote

I use my FIGS tote as my nursing work bag. It’s roomy enough for the things I bring to work, and I like having everything I need organized in one place.

Nike Work Shoes

Comfort for long shifts—with a little personality.

Comfort matters when you spend most of your shift on your feet. I wear Nike to work because they’re comfortable, but I also like shoes with a little personality. After all, scrubs don’t mean your shoes have to be boring.

My Water Jug

I always bring a water jug to work. Having water with me throughout the shift makes it easier to stay hydrated, especially on busy days when I may not get many chances to stop and refill.

Cure Electrolyte Drink Mix

I also keep Cure electrolyte drink mix in my bag. It helps me stay hydrated, has no added sugar, and is plant-based. There are so many delicious flavors to choose from, but Blood Orange is my favorite.

Phone Charger

I keep an Apple fast charger in my bag so I can charge my phone when needed during a long shift.

Apple Watch

My Apple Watch is everything. When you know, you know. It’s one of those things I put on every day without even thinking about it, and I wouldn’t want to go through a shift without it.

Pens

I always keep gel pens with me. They write so smoothly, and when you’re documenting throughout a shift, having a pen that writes well makes a difference. It’s a small thing, but definitely one of my everyday essentials.

Lunch Bag

A lunch bag is another must-have for me. Long shifts mean bringing enough food and snacks to get through the day, so having everything packed and ready makes life easier.

Gum

5 Gum is always in my bag. I like how fresh it tastes and how the flavor lasts longer. It’s one of those little things I like having with me during a long shift.

NIVEA Hand Cream

With all the hand-washing and sanitizing nurses do throughout a shift, I like having NIVEA hand cream in my bag. It does a good job of locking in moisture and keeping my hands soft.

NIVEA Lip Balm

I also keep NIVEA lip balm with me. It helps lock in moisture and keeps my lips soft, especially during a long shift.

Snacks

I always keep snacks and gummies in my bag. I especially like the individually packed ones because they’re easy to grab and bring to work. They’re convenient during a busy shift when I want something quick—and honestly, they’re just really good.

None of these things are complicated, but they make my workday a little easier and more comfortable. These are things I actually use—not products I picked just to make a list. As I find other things that earn a permanent place in my nursing bag, I’ll add them here.