[rn1997]

I like nights better because the staff seems to work together as a team better.

[jhaskell]

I am a nursing student, wife, and mother of 3 wondering in advance what shift and/or working situation would be most suitable for me and my family. My children will be 5, 7, and 11 years old when I go to work. My main objective is to remain available to them and miss as little of their lives as possible. Any suggestions on FT/PT, per diem, night shift vs. day shift?

[lizzyberry]

Originally Posted by Sunny01

I love night shift because most of the time everything is slower. I am not a person that seeks chaos and therefore I look for environments that are quiter and suit me better. For some nurses night shift is just boring and they hate it. For me it means having enough time to do things right and less stress. I am also a night person to begin with, have no problems sleeping during the day and functioning during the night.

Anyone have kids working night shift?

[RNLULULABAMBA]

I like night shift because it is quiet. i

[RNLULULABAMBA]

I like night shift because it is quiet. I like night shift because all bosses and want to be bosses are not there. I like night because because I get to assess my patients without doctors, social workers, PTs, OTs, RTs, and family members interuptions.I like night because I get 6200 hundred dollars more. I like night shift because I get to spend my days with my family.

[SteveRN21]

I worked nights for 11/2 years, then came to days 2 months ago. I like being able to sleep at night, even if I stay up too late and still have to get up early. I like being able to grab a neonatologist if I need them without having to wake them up at home. I like having the resources (ST/OT/PT, nutrition) of day shift. However, I'm still a night shifter at heart, and will be going back to nights at a new hospital when I start my NNP this fall. I'll be doing school 2 days a week, and 3 night shifts of work a week. (Crazy, I know....)

I love nights because:
-The crew is great... we all work together and help each other out.
-It is quieter, calmer (sometimes;.P) with less family around.
-Better pay (6-7k/yr)
-I'm a natural night owl...(ever shop at walmart at 3am?)
-I HATE getting up at 5am!!!!!
-No one stealing your charts, or messing with your babies when you aren't looking
-No management, or management wannabes.
-Time for conversation/camaraderie with you coworkers.
-Time to better care for my patients... baths, feedings, playing "dress up" with new clothes mom brought in, etc... (still an ICU)

Love nights!.....and will probably work them until I get married/have kids.

Stephen

[NurseyPoo]

I love nights! The staff are more cohesive, no management breathing down your neck, better pay, less activity....No alarm clock screaming in your ear at 0500!!! Oh and the food is awesome...we usually plan ahead and all bring in food to share! I have black out shades in my bedroom, unplug the phone, put on the fan for white noise and snuggle with the dogs.

[Athenas83]

I was thinking about it, and I think I may like nights when I start working as a nurse. Three 12s three nights a week might be pretty sweet.

[Elvish]

Originally Posted by lizzyette

Anyone have kids working night shift?

I know a lot of people who have kids & work nights. Matter of fact, that's why most of them are on nights to begin with. I work Fri & Sat nights so dh & ds hang out while I'm sleeping. It works great. The folks I know who work during the week get home, get the kids to school, go to bed, & wake up in time to meet them @ the bus stop or pick them up from school. (Usually go back to bed later that night if working 11p-7a.) I couldn't work every night & take care of my son during the day....I know people who do that too but not this chick. Need my z's.

[currently TX]

Originally Posted by puglie

I work the graveyard shift . I dont like it for sleeping purposes because I work every other week. I work this shift because I dont want to work with the bosses, the people who want to be boss, the people who think they are the boss , the people who wish they were the boss, the doctors, the nurses who think they are doctors, the doctors who want to be any place else but where he/she is, the doctors that I cant understand because of heavy accents and then get angry because I cant understand them, the family members (no explination there) and all the people who are only there because they have terrible home lives, never leave the building and are miserable. Thats why I work nights and I LOVE IT !!!

I have been working nights for 10 years now. I started because I moved and needed a job and that was what was open. I get tired, yes. I get crabby yes. But I also did on days too. I am sure I was more tired working days for the very reasons you listed above rather than the different sleep schedule! You adjust and it is ALL a trade off!