Nurse’s Survival Guide: How to Thrive in Hot Working Conditions
Working in hot conditions can feel like a nightmare for nurses in the summer. It doesn’t even have to be hot outside. Older patients might require a warmer temperature inside hospitals and clinics, including dialysis centers. Plus, it doesn’t help if we’re constantly moving or if some of us run naturally warm.
We can help ourselves sweat less and be more comfortable at work by cooling down in dangerous temperatures. Read on for some tips.
Wear Moisture-resistant Clothing
If you’re hot-natured, then you probably already know that some scrubs make you sweat more. Consider wearing light clothing that wicks sweat and dries fast. Nurses have sworn by Carhartt Force Cross Flex with knit panels to help them keep cool, and Butter-Soft scrubs work, too.
What type of shoes and socks you wear also matters. Wear breathable shoes and athletic socks to avoid excessive sweat. Compression socks also help with circulation and blood flow to the feet in hot weather, but some people have complained that the material can make us hotter. In this case, find sheer fabrics that aren’t too thick for comfort, like microfiber.
Invest in a Personal Fan
Necklace fans can also be worn underneath a gown or shirt for an extra breeze on your body. You can buy one here or search for one on Amazon. They’re also under $20, so they’re affordable and reusable.
Use Reusable Ice Packs
Ice packs around the body can also help out before intensive shifts. Apply them on crucial body points where the veins are closer to the surface, like the wrists, neck, chest, and temples.
Here’s another tip that doesn’t require spending anything: Take a plastic glove, put ice in it, and tie a knot at the end. This makeshift ice pack can be put inside your bra (or pockets) to keep you from overheating.
Drink Plenty of Water
This one might sound obvious, but forgetting to drink water when we’re too busy is easy. Dehydration can increase our body heat, so drinking water when thirsty is essential to regulate ourselves. Keep a bottle of water handy to grab it when you feel overheated.
Cool liquids are best since they reduce our body temperature, so avoid hot coffee or tea during hot hours.
If You Have to, Work in Other Cooler areas
Places with older patients, such as nursing homes, can experience temperatures between 71 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit, making hot days unbearable.
You might love where you work, so this wouldn’t be an option, but in the future, you can move to other units with colder temperatures. nursing homes for the convenience of surgeons and their staff, so this can be a great choice for people who run cold (or want a job change).
Keep a Bag of Cooling Must-haves Ready
On heatwave days when we don’t have time to stop and rest often, it’s helpful to have a bag of cooling items ready in your locker in case you’re extra sweaty. Some of these items can include a brand of body deodorant that prevents gross armpit sweat, cooling towels, and ice packs. Be creative and see what else you need to prevent burnout.
These are only a few tips out of many, so try asking other nurses how they manage hot temperatures while working. You can also search nursing forums to find out how other nurses keep themselves cooled off.
