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Nights are finally here!



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Jun 22, 2009 02:47 AM

Nights are finally here!

by rayshanna Premium Member

I survived my first two weeks as a new grad. Unfortunately I took and passed boards before my first day of work, so when I hit the floor I was just another RN. After a conversation with my Department Educator than my Ass. Director, than my Director, finally I started getting treated as a new grad. Day shift is where I thought I wanted to be and two weeks later, I'm so thankful that there were no day shift positions available. Tonight will be my first night and I am looking sooooo forward to it. In the 6 shifts (12's) that I pulled on day shift I worked until after 8pm 4 out of the 6 days. Nights have gotta be better. LOL.

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7 Comments
No. 1
from MBARN08
Old Jun 22, 2009, 07:32 AM

Default Re: Nights are finally here!
Welcome to nights... I hate days too but for a different reason. In fact, I find that nights are as busy as days because I work a busy medical surgical floor.... I have worked until 9 AM on nights several times despite being scheduled to return that night to work another shift! Docs can and do come by late to write orders an see patients... I assisted with a throcentesis last week at 23:00!!! Not to mention getting several admissions, having a bigger patient load then the day shift, and having to do chart and MAR checks (more paper work).

The positive difference I find in night as oppose to days is that there are nurses who may feel overwhelmed but are willing to help out. I had a patient who was crashing on me and I needed to get her to the ICU. Several nurses helped me get that crashing patient transferred even though they were busy. On days I felt alone. In fact, though many nurses want to help out and are good people, they are so bogged down by having administrators looking over their shoulders that they do not dare help out and risk getting behind!

BTW, the other professionals on nights around the hospital are usually less stressed... They do not give much attitude when they have to come up to provide a treatment or service! On the other hand, your CNAs might be lazy! I have two I cannot stand working with and hate it when they are the only two working my shift! But that is another story for another time. Good luck!
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No. 2
from NC Girl RN
Old Jun 22, 2009, 03:04 PM

Default Re: Nights are finally here!
I am a new grad three weeks in on the night shift. I really like it and it is less chaotic than days. I oriented 5 weeks on days and hated getting up so early in the morning.I am adjusting to the sleep pattern and like the idea of getting $6 more an hour.
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No. 3
from Diane-RN in Michigan
Old Jun 22, 2009, 09:53 PM

Default Re: Nights are finally here!
I am a new grad (now RN) on nights- have been for about two months.

I would not do days... only kicking and screaming! Getting up and having to be conscious at 0630 is a bit much for me.

I find I really enjoy the camaraderie with the staff. Our hospital ENFORCES visiting hours.. no visitors after 20:00!

As long as you can find what works for you sleep-wise, I think it's a great shift to start out on!

best to you From one night shifter to another....

-Diane
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No. 4
from rayshanna
Old Jun 29, 2009, 09:37 PM

Default Re: Nights are finally here!
Thanks for the encouragement. I wish the two of you many blessings. I'm back on days, do to a scheduling issue, but it's cool. Today I took carre of 3 patients all by myself, talk about happy. I was beside myself. Had to look up hospital policy on suction care for trache's. Lol. The last time I suctioned a trache was my 1st semester of school, over 1 1/2 years ago. i learned alot today, so I'm actually enjoying days. Best wishes to you two though.
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No. 5
from hypocaffeinemia
Old Jun 29, 2009, 10:39 PM

Default Re: Nights are finally here!
After I am off orientation/internship I will likely be nights. Our ICU has a more laid back feel without a bazillion case workers, administrators, students, and doctors moving in and out, but it has it's own sort of busy flow. Most of the ER and PACU ICU admits hit right after shift change and there's a lot of catch-up to be played.

I'm interested to see how I'll do.
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No. 6
from AmityRN
Old Jun 30, 2009, 06:34 PM

Default Re: Nights are finally here!
I like nights over days. If I wake up at 5 am to get ready for work I feel like the first half of the day I'm half asleep. I guess I'm just a night owl. I also find night workers to be more laid back...just in my short experience anyway.
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No. 7
from rayshanna
Old Jul 02, 2009, 11:48 PM

Default Re: Nights are finally here!
I have noticed the same thing about night nurses being more laid back. In many ways starting off as a new grad on nights is beneficial but in many others days are better. For example, nights are beneficial to learn documentation and charting and your facilities systems, but days are better for skills and one on one interaction with doctor and other disciplinary members. I hope you like nights; sounds like it'll be a perfect fit for you.
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