New to night shift

dudette10, MSN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

Thanks guys for the replies. I appreciate it!
What's a typical 7p-7a shift like for you guys? When is the busiest time? And what hours is usually the slowest?

As with all shifts, the busiest times are at the beginning and at the end (but less so). Because you're 7-7, you will have an hs med pass that can get crazy. Get assignment, check in with patients, get report, do assessments, chart on some of your patients at least, get prepared for med pass, get patients settled for the night...on a perfectly organized night, that is. :) The wrenches in the works...late discharges to home, admits, codes, and instability in patients.

The slowest is usually around 2 to 4 IME, but you'll probably do chart checks and other admin stuff. I manage to keep busy all night, helping with chart checks and entering other nurses' admit orders and patient histories if my night is slow and other nurses have things going on.

travkitty · Oct 2, 2011

I have to admit that, as a natural night owl, it was easier for me to get used to the hours. I can also sleep during the day with no problem.

That said, some of the nurses I work with, who aren't natural night owls, find that sleep aids (non-habit forming) & blackout curtains help during the day, as does an understand family, if you don't live alone. Even though everyone knows you work all night, they still don't get that you may want to sleep past 5pm if you have that night off, especially after working 3-4 in a row. I hear about those issues a lot.

As for the pace of the shift...probably 2-4am will be your slowest times. However, some nights it was non-stop for me & some were mind-numbingly dull from 10pm until 6am. It really depends on the acuity at the time & the staffing. I liked it when it slowed down at 1am, when I could take an actual lunch break & catch up on my charting for a few hours, aside from safety checks. Then, things would pick up (but not like the beginning of the shift) from 5-7am. Then it's report time at 7am.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Oct 4, 2011

Another vote for blackout curtains (or a blindfold) and ear plugs! Tell your friends/family when you will be sleeping - basically their 3pm is your 3am! I always turn my phone off that way phone calls won't interrupt my sleep.

I drink a lot of caffeine, but remember to stay hydrated as well.

Busiest times for me are usually from 1900-0000. Patients are still awake and most medications are due between 2100-2300. Closer to the end of the shift (0500-0700) can get busy, too.

melmonlove · Oct 5, 2011

definitely black curtains! The first few weeks are a little tough when you are trying to get used to the change. i keep almost the same schedule on my days off, i tried switching at first but that didnt work well with me. I work my 3 days straight so I can get more days off together. The busiest time would be from 7pm-1:00am and then again from 4:00-7:00am.

Music in My Heart · Oct 10, 2011

Another vote for blackout curtains (or a blindfold) and ear plugs! Tell your friends/family when you will be sleeping - basically their 3pm is your 3am! I always turn my phone off that way phone calls won't interrupt my sleep.
I drink a lot of caffeine, but remember to stay hydrated as well.
Busiest times for me are usually from 1900-0000. Patients are still awake and most medications are due between 2100-2300. Closer to the end of the shift (0500-0700) can get busy, too.

Regarding the phone, I just came across a ringer scheduler app that automatically silences my cell during my sleep hours. It works the charm and, when combined with a ring-through app that lets my home number and my wife's number ring out even when the phone is silenced, helps guard my sleep time.

Regarding hydration, all I can say is, "amen." Nine months into the night shift and I had the first kidney stone of my life... along with an SG > 1.030.