Question for night-shift and/or weekend nurses

SubSippi · Mar 18, 2014

I work nights and lots of weekends, and I jusssst about never see anyone who could be considered my boss. It's nice not having to worry about ridiculous nit-picky things, like I can check my phone and keep a water bottle in a drawer next to my computer (yes I will ALWAYS break the water bottle rule when I can get away with it). She will stay late or come in early for our evaluations, I've never had to stay more than 15 minutes late for an evaluation.

The downside is I really like my unit manager, and I wish I could get to know her a little better. If I saw her more, I wouldn't feel as weird using her as a reference when I move (army wife here!). Like PPs have said, night shifters may have a harder time changing policies, etc. The shifts we work don't affect raises, because...we don't get raises.

LisaNICUrn, BSN · May 10, 2014

I have worked on the 7a-7p schedule for the past year, I just started 7p-7a about a month ago and absolutely love it.

Do you feel like you're at a disadvantage due to not having frequent, in-person contact with your NM? (or do you have a NM who actually works these "off" shifts?)

Well my supervisor comes in at 7a and if she happens to make it to the floor before I leave, I do see her. I have her # and we frequently text back and forth, if there's a question I have at start of shift I'll text her, and she'll text me sometimes in the morning if she's coming in early or something. So no, working day shift she was always so busy, it was hard to get her anyways.

How is your performance reviewed -- who's making the critiques and decisions? (And I assume you have to come in with rings around your eyes for your daytime performance reviews!)

Since I just started nights, I'm not sure how I will be reviewed, although I did have a coworker tell me that my supervisor was asking her how I was doing, how I was handling things. (I'm actually relief charge on nights now)

I'm sure it's wonderful to work without management breathing down your necks, but is that also a downside when it comes to career progression, raises, etc?

To me, the downside is not knowing all the rule changes or little things you hear or learn on day shift. I came in to night shift as a relief charge and there will probably be a charge nurse position open shortly that I will apply for. I don't know if I'd have the same shot at the position if I'd worked the past year on nights when my supervisors were able to see me, but they also listen to other staff members about leadership and work ethic.

But yes, it's great not having all the managers breathing down your neck all day long. On the same token, now I'm in charge and if there's a problem, I only have one reference, the ADON. You just have to be confident and know your stuff.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · May 11, 2014

Disadvantage? Not seeing the NM is, by far, the biggest ADVANTAGE of working nights. When I worked in the hospital, I was a rotater and I FAR preferred nights to days. At 0630, the night shift would scatter without fail, hiding in the med room, the supply room or a patient's room so that we didn't have to have any contact with our NM. We stayed in our hiding spots until the day shift was ready for report, at which point we did so quickly and then grabbed our stuff and hightailed it out of there before she could spot us. In my last several months there, the only time I willingly conversed with my manager following a night shift was to give her my resignation.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · May 11, 2014

Our manager usually comes in at 6 once a week and stays til 10 once a week.

Guest219794 · May 12, 2014

I usually work a swing shift, and one of the advantages is reduced potential for encountering my manager.