Published
Well, at least you are doing straight nights x 3wks. Some of my former colleagues work A-N-A-N-A and a 1/2 day on the sixth day:
a shift: 7-3
n: usually 8 or 10 hours
Now that would kill anyone's Circadian rhythms.
Scary thing: they work as nursing instuctors for a large well known university in HK.
Loved nights!!!!!!!
Worked in peds.
Advantages:
pts were all in bed, didn't have to go looking for them.
quiet environment
MUCH more TEAM work
quiet environment
No suits or coats screwing up your shift plans by sending 1 of your 6 pts for a test and "oh yeah, he needs a bowel prep!"
quiet environment
No visitors!!!!!!
quiet environment.
Disadvantages:
More sitting (than on days)=more eating=weight gain:o
trying to be awake or not having to leave early (to go to work) when socializing with people on a "human" schedule.
But I still prefer nights:cool:
I have said it before and I will say it again. I loved nights but nights hated me. I either rotated days nights or did steady nights for long time. Loved it but in my late forties my system changed and I could not tolerate it anymore. There are studies that document the fact that older workers have difficulties with night shift more often than younger. I could flip myself into a major depression with no other stimulus than doing nights. But if you can tolerated nights it IS GREAT.
I work in an ED and absolutely love nights. Everyone is right...more team work, docs aren't running around shouting orders at everyone (unless they are called in), the only one's we answer to are the charge and house supervisor (who only comes down maybe twice a shift), of course there are the added calories from people bringing in food but the running around helps a little. LOVE IT!!!
Genista, BSN, RN
811 Posts
Hey everyone- It's my night off & I just wanted to share the surprising news...I made a huge fuss over the past few weeks about being mandated to do a few weeks of night shift. I have been a day shifter for several years. I did night shift about 10 years ago & just hated it! Back then, I couldn't sleep a wink. It was like hell. Well, due to a severe nursing shortage, I am now on my 1st week of nights ...and surprise! I kind of like it. Mind you, my husband works days. And I know this is only temporary...but I do like the peace on that shift. I thought maybe I would be tired or bored, but no. I prepped for it by staying up till 2-3 am for several nights before I started. I think it really helped! I drink a few cups of coffee before work in the evening, and I keep a good pace all night long. It's been no trouble trying to stay awake for nocs.
Dayshifters- I LOVE not having to field the phone calls, the guerneys, the hustle & bustle of day shift. True, I have some added responsibilties to keep me plenty busy like 24 hr checks, and these patients are not always sleeping like I thought they would!I enjoy trying to take care of odds & ends that I know dayshift will appreciate. LOL! But it feels kind of nice for now. I don't think I will stay on it, but it's definately not as bad as I thought. I have my bedroom all dark & have had NO PROBLEM sleeping like a log after work at 9- 10 am or so. Just wanted to share with others...in case you are afraid of nocs as I was. It's really got a few things going for it...