Getting Home Safely After a Late Shift: Tips for Nurses

Every nurse knows the feeling. Handover runs late, the main doors are locked, and the walk to the car park is dark and quiet. Shift work means nurses, midwives, paramedics and hospital staff are often travelling at times when everyone else is asleep, and that brings its own risks, from feeling unsafe in an empty car park to driving home exhausted after a run of nights.

Most trips home are uneventful, and the aim here isn't to worry you. It's to share the simple habits experienced shift workers use so the walk to the car, the drive home and the front door all feel safer.

1. Before You Leave the Building

→ Walk out together. Leave with a colleague finishing at the same time, even if it means waiting a few minutes.

→ Use the security escort. Many hospitals offer a security escort to the car park after dark. It's there for exactly this, so don't feel awkward asking.

→ Have your keys ready. Get your keys out before you step outside, so you're not digging through your bag next to the car.

→ Let someone know. Send a quick message to a partner, housemate or friend when you're leaving, and another when you're home. Phone location sharing makes this easy.

2. In the Car Park

→ Park smart at the start of your shift. Think about how the spot will look when you finish. Choose somewhere well lit, close to the entrance and near the security office or cameras if you can.

→ Stay aware. Keep your phone in your pocket and your headphones off until you're in the car with the doors locked.

→ Check before you get in. Glance around the car and inside before you unlock it.

→ Lock the doors straight away and drive off rather than sitting in the car scrolling your phone.

→ Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, go back inside and call security. You don't need a reason.

3. The Biggest Risk Is Often Driving Tired

For many shift workers, the most dangerous part of the trip home isn't the car park, it's the drive. Fatigue slows your reaction time much like alcohol does, and the end of a night shift is when your body most wants to sleep.

→ If you're struggling to keep your eyes open, don't drive. A short nap in a safe spot before you leave, or a lift home, is always the better option.

→ Wear sunglasses for the drive home after nights. Bright morning light makes it harder to fall asleep once you get home.

→ Plan your sleep before a run of nights. Our night shift sleep tips cover how to set up for daytime sleep.

4. Public Transport and Rideshare

→ Wait in a well-lit area close to other people, or inside the hospital until your bus or ride arrives.

→ On trains, sit near the driver or in a carriage with other passengers.

→ With rideshare, check the number plate and driver name before you get in, and share your trip with someone.

5. Why Many Nurses Carry a Personal Safety Alarm

A personal safety alarm is a small keyring device that makes a very loud siren when you pull the pin. The idea is simple: draw attention quickly and give you a moment to get away and call for help. They're small, legal to carry and easy to use under stress, which is why they're a popular choice for shift workers. Pepper spray and most self-defence weapons are illegal for the public to carry in most Australian states, so an alarm is the practical alternative.

Tips for using one: keep it on your keys or bag strap where you can reach it without looking, test it every month so you know the sound and that it's charged, and remember it's there to buy you time. Get to a safe place and call 000.

Frequently Asked Questions