The dreaded nightshift. Every nurse knows what it is, and every nurse knows what it takes to get through long, sleepless nights. The urge to go home even though you know your work is important, the heavy eyelids that begin to droop, and the fogginess that clouds your train of thought at 4 AM — this is all reminiscent of night shifts. Unlike some doctors, they cannot take naps during the long, painful hours of the night, so they have to stay up, and how do they do that? Coffee. Forget diamonds, coffee is a nurse’s best friend. According to WebMD, the profession that relies most heavily on caffeine is the nursing profession, which is to be expected.
If you nurses are such coffee lovers, though, you should know what today is. If not, that’s okay, we’ll tell you. It’s Sunday, September 29 which marks 2019’s very own International Coffee Day! In order to celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of coffees around the United States and the world that have been inspired by nurses or have really helped nurses stay up during their shifts. If you live or work near one of the coffee shops listed below, be sure to check that place out and try out some of the caffeinated beverages they may offer.
- Los Angeles, USA. According to Medely, a nurse, Angie, in Los Angeles really favors the coffee shop, Funnel Mill, which is located in Santa Monica. The shop is decorated like a science laboratory with beakers and burners sprawled throughout, which might appeal to some nurses because it seems scientific and medical. Each cup is made through a syphon brewing process, which is incredibly rare nowadays. Angie loves the iced chocolate truffle coffee drip, and the brew is so great, that it takes twelve hours to make. This drink is sure to help you forget about the pile of endless charts you have to complete.
- New York City, USA. If you live in New York City and you’re looking for a coffee shop chain that still cares deeply about making a genuine brew, unlike Starbucks, then you should check out Blue Bottle Coffee. Aesthetic and minimalist, Blue Bottle offers you every essential caffeinated beverage you need to get yourself going.
- Miami, Florida. Panther Coffee in Miami is another great spot to hit up if you want a good roast of coffee. Interesting, electric, and energetic, if you’re an LN, RPN, or APRN working in Florida, this shop is not one to miss.
- Dallas, Texas. If you’re looking for something locally roasted, then Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters in Dallas might just be the place for you. Get your needed kick of caffeine for the day as well as a delicious, well-made cup of coffee here!
- Vienna, Austria. If you live in Vienna or if you’re ever lucky enough to visit, try going to Jonas Reindl. The shop itself is beautifully designed, and you can definitely feel how much love and expertise has gone into crafting each individual beverage. This shop creates unique coffee experiences by providing distinct flavours and aromas, placing a large focus on the transparency on the journey of their beans..
- Adelaide, Australia. If none of the above is strong enough for you, a couple of years ago, CNN reported that there is a coffee that is 80 times stronger than a regular cup of coffee. It’s served in Adelaide, Australia, and it’s called the “Asskicker.” You’re supposed to drink this coffee over the course of three to four hours, and it’s guaranteed to keep you up for at least 18 hours. Might be a bit intense for regular people, but it sounds perfect for nurses with night shifts. In fact, Steve Benington, owner of Viscous Coffee in Australia, actually developed this drink for a local emergency room nurse who needed help staying awake during her night shifts. The coffee kept a nurse up for three days, so Steve decided to lower the intensity of the drink, but who knows? Maybe it’s just what you need.
These coffee shops may not be accessible to most of you, as we know that our audience is spread out all across the United States, and even the globe, so if you can’t hit up any of these places before a long shift, we’ve also compiled a short list of drinks that you can make at home. Though the coffee that is made artisanally in shops can be great and helpful, you can also make it at home and put in just as much kick as you need!
- Cappuccino Mix. A frothy drink that’s perfect for all your shifts: morning, afternoon, and night night. To make this drink, you will need: 1 cup of powdered non-dairy creamer, 1 cup of instant chocolate drink mix, ¾ cup of instant coffee granules, ½ cup of white sugar, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg. In a medium sized glass jar, combine the non-dairy creamer, chocolate drink mix, instant coffee, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and mix well. To prepare, place 2 tablespoons of the mix into a mug, pour in ¾ cup boiling water, and stir until dissolved. Serve while hot.
- Easy Iced Coffee. Convenient, sweet, mellow, and bright, this iced coffee is easy to make and will give you just the kick of caffeine that you need. To make this drink, you will need: 2 teaspoons of instant coffee granules, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 3 tablespoons of warm water, and 6 fluid ounces of cold milk. In a sealable jar, put all of the instant coffee, sugar, and warm water together. Then, cover the jar and shake it until the mixture is foamy. Pour it into a glass full of ice, and fill the glass with milk. Adjust it to your taste.
- Homemade Cafe Latte. If you’re a coffee drinker who doesn’t want to waste more money on pricey lattes, here’s a recipe to help you make your own. This recipe makes 4 lattes, and you will need these ingredients: 2 cups of milk, and 1⅓ cups of hot, freshly brewed dark roast espresso coffee. To make this drink, heat the milk up in a saucepan set over medium-low heat. Then, whisk briskly with a wire whisk to create foam. Brew espresso and pour into 4 cups. Pour in the milk, holding back the foam with a spoon. Lastly, spoon the foam over the top.
We’ve given you coffee recommendations and recipes to help you stay awake and do the best work that you can during your shifts and celebrate the fun that can be International Coffee Day, but we’ve got more. In addition to all of this, the team at NursingCE will also be hosting a giveaway so enter your information below to get a caffeine boost.
