Working overnight in the hospital can be physically and emotionally challenging, especially during the early morning hours when fatigue peaks. Recognizing this, the Night Shift Council created the Night Shift Olympic Games, a series of engaging, educational and light-hearted activities held around 4am during the summer months.
Led by Kate Bonnett, RN, and supported by unit staff, the games were designed using commonly available materials and delivered across units with fun instructions and a QR code for tracking participation. These moments of activity not only helped staff stay alert, but also built camaraderie, sparked laughter and provided a welcome boost at a historically challenging part of the night shift.
“This is about building a sense of togetherness and camaraderie, but it’s also about helping us deliver the top quality care all of us aspire to,” says Bonnett. “4am can be a tricky time for even our most experienced night nurses, so organizing our games around this time has helped our nurses to build good habits to keep them moving and alert.”
Each summer month had a different theme: July was the "fun" month with chair races, a festive photo contest and cylinder relays; August was educational month, with “Pin the Mepilex on the Patient” and a blood glucose crossword puzzle, among others; September was the self-care month.
This creative initiative reflects the Well-Being standard, offering strategies to combat fatigue and uplift staff spirit. It also touches on Safety, reducing risk by encouraging alertness and engagement during critical overnight hours.
See event photos and details
