[nursej22]

I have worked all 3 shifts, and each is just as challenging, but for different reasons. Any time I hear that line about "we work harder, they get paid more" I say ,"well there are always positions open on nocs".
I think the leadership of the floor has a lot to do with shift to shift friction, whether that is offical leaders like charge nurses or managers, or the de facto leaders--the veterans whom everyone listens to. If the charge is carping about other shifts, then that gives staff the impression that beyotching about others is acceptable.
Got somebody who always comes in grouchy or late? Try greeting them pleasantly and sincerely say how glad you are to see them. Maybe even a compliment. There can only be friction is both sides are rough!

[fergus51]

If one shift were so much easier, all the nurses would be begging to work it. I notice that doesn't happen... I just ignore it. I don't care what a day shift nurse thinks about night shifters. I do my job and go home. I refuse to get caught up in some who works harder debate.

[caroladybelle]

Originally Posted by Kimbalou

This must be a universal thing. We had that problem in my former place of employment. A lot of day nurses think because it's night time, the night nurses do nothing. Well, we all know that's B.S.
Some day nurses need to be nicer!

And some night nurses need to be nicer.

The only place in which there was no friction between the shifts, was the unit that I worked that required EVERYONE to rotate shifts. Each group had to work different shifts and experience the advantages and disadvantages.

While fair, it is hard on the body and on nurses' lives to require rotating shifts.

I always tell people that night shift gets a differential because of the massive inconvenience to nurses' lives, that night shift poses.

[nurse hobbit]

[.
Got somebody who always comes in grouchy or late? Try greeting them pleasantly and sincerely say how glad you are to see them. Maybe even a compliment. There can only be friction is both sides are rough![/quote]


Tried that more than once, but this certian nurse has an attitude from grouch-land. Nothing never pleases her, she never smiles and always finds something to complain about no matter how small it is.

As far as managment, we have a director that tells us in every quarterly in service " I know how hard it is to work night shift, sitting there with a cup of coffee trying so hard to stay awake while verifing the CML's with MAR's"

Please give me a break, the last time this
person worked nights was back in 1989 and then he worked in the unit. He has never been a floor nurse.

It does no good to go to the NM either, she has never been a floor nurse, she came from L&D day shift to manage a very busy med/surge floor.

So how can shifts get along when management acts and talks like this?

[purplemania]

When I worked nights I felt that was the strongest shift since we had more limited resources. I believe the conflict results when something (ANYTHING) is left over for the next shift. Somehow the next shift, day or night, feels the previous shift left work just as aggravation. We forget that nursing is a 24 hour job. Some people are under the misconception that patients actually sleep at night. Anyway, in my experience improved communication goes a long way. Also, the people who do the biggest gripping ought to work the other shift to "walk in their shoes".

[danissa]

I work two weeks days/two weeks nights per month in our NICU. Have found the biggest "peeve" comes from the domestic, (who does a fantastic job btw..we must be the cleanest ward in the hospital!) BUT..,she moans about how "dirty " the night shift are, forgetting that she finishes her job at two in the afternoon, and visitors trail in all evening after she is gone! wont hear it though, puts it alldown to the night shift not caring about mess, even though at half past six we have a major clean up prior to dayshift coming in. (funnily enough, dayshift dont do this for nightshift coming in!)

[NursingAgainstdaOdds]

Hoo boy, I've seen this everywhere. The reality is we're all conditioned to blame one another for problems that are really the fault of the system.

I work nights, and frequently catch flack when I have to hand something off. All I can do is be gracious when something is handed-off to me and hope the environment will eventually change.

[CheyRN]

Having been a nurse for the last 16 years I have had the opportunity to work ALL shifts for at least a year each. I CHOOSE to work nights because I like it that all the "powers that be" are at home minding their own business and leaving me alone. I also agree that the differential is nice, but once you have worked nights it's about fewer interruptions from EVERYONE (docs, dietary, lab, families, etc.). All shifts have their own "crosses to carry" and once we all get onboard with that, the better our jobs and patient care will be. And to have a member of the management team say that the night nurses are the least capable is totally inexcusable and should be reported to HR as harrasment.

[ilovemydogs]

I love night shift. Where I am it's more experienced nurses and even though there is less staff I've learned much more. I did orientate on days and was offered a spot on days in May. Where I am days is much more drama d/t a few nurses. I'm sure that sort is everywhere but it drove me crazy. I get to focus on the pt and it has forced me to think critically. I feel more confident that my friends who work days at least in my own mind!
Anna

[Cindy1008RN]

I know each shift has its own stress; however, I will never forget the Friday 13th..., with a full moon I might add. Two RN's ...no CNA that shift. NOPE, nada ....You know what broke loose, we started off the evening with 9 patients out of 19 beds. The bam, bam bam, fresh post-op c-setions one just about right after the other until At "so called" change of shift, we had 17 patients. I did not leave work until noon the next day. There was NO sitting down that shift. I may have worked 5 hours past my shift, but my patients were comfortable and well cared for, all orders were noted, faxed and all meds were passed.The day shift did not complain because they knew from report that we were literally slammed.

At the hospital, night shift begins the new days nurses notes, so, day shift had to wait to do any charting. I was also more than willing to come in early if day shift was slammed. We worked together for continuity of care. There were frustrations at time, but overall, while I worked there it was ok.

I am not a superstitious person, but when the 13th falls on a Friday and the moon is full ...........WATCH OUT..........LOL