Questions for Night Shift Nurses

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Jenni811, RN

1,032 Posts

Specializes in Intermediate care.

1. What is it like to work nightshift? Busy! No patient sleeps. They may get an hour here and there, but for the most part their anxiety is through the roof because they can't sleep. We get more patients on night shift. During the day we take care of 4 and on nights we get 6-7 patients which can make it more difficult. There is little help on night shifts from supporting staff. For example, the general medicine team there is only ONE doctor on. They are usually swamped and its difficult to get assistance if you need it. If you have a patient crumping there isn't as much people there for support as there are during the day. Exaample: You have a patient who needs an emergency ultra sound for suspected DVT. well, you have to get the ONLY doctor on to take you seriously that you suspect DVT. the doctor comes to assess which can take up to 20-30 minutes before they get there. Then they have to agree with you, and call in the on-call ultrasound tech. They usually arrive within 45 minutes. During a day shift ALL this happens in like 20 minutes. One time i had a wound vac that was leaking. I an trouble shoot some stuff but nobody could figure this out. Normally during a day shift we would call WOC nurse. But it's night shift...there is no WOC nurse. Just because it is night does not mean things go right all the time and patient's sleep. Its the opposite.

2. Can you tell me a little about your sleeping habit before a night shift? We work 3 nights in a row. Normally take a nap before my first day. Then in between i sleep usually until about 3pm. It is NOT good sleep by any means. The world still funcions around you while you sleep. The salt trucks are out salting the roads, plows are out plowing. Garbage trucks still pick up garbage, neighbors are still mowing their lawns and using their weed cutters/leaf blowers. Dogs are still barking, children are still screaming/playing outside. The sun still shines no matter how hard you try to make your room dark. Ear plugs don't work..they always fall out. So I sleep usually 6-7 hours of INTERUPTED sleep. The schedulers will still try to schedule you Monday, Wednesday and thursday at times which is pure evil to have that "day off" in between your night shifts. You feel like crap. Basically you feel like you have a hangover for 3-4 days.

2. During night shift, are you allowed to take a short nap during breaks by the hospitals? they can't discourage it. We are allowed a 30 minute break and you are allowed to do what you want in those 30 minutes. Afterall it is an UNPAID 30 minute break. If im not getting paid, they better not have restrictions on what im allowed to do. 99% of people do not take a nap during the time because once you fall asleep or even sit/relax its impossible to get going again.

3. If you are and you do, how long do you usually take a nap for? like i said, most poeple do not take a nap. We have one nurse that does for 45 minutes. She sets her alarm. We ALWAYS have to go wake her up because we will notice she has been missing. and she is always so apologetic for turning off her alarm on accident. It annoys us to have to "babysit her" on her breaks and we all hate watching her phone while she is on break beause we know we are getting stuck with her phone for an hour and will be the one to wake her up.

4. Do you feel groggy after? If so, how long does it take you to recover? Yes. you feel like you have hangover for the 3 nights you are there. Eveyrthing aches/hurts. Headaches are a given when you work nights. It takes me about a day to recover. Like lets say i work Tuesday, Wednesday and thursday. It will take me until about Saturday afternoon to feel somehwat normal.

5. Where do you take a nap? Is there a special room provided by the hospital for nurses to take a nap in?

No special designated rooms. We don't even have furniture to "relax" in. We have in our break room a table/hard chairs. Our one nurse pulls some chairs together and takes a nap there.

6. What do you think are the barriers on having a nap on night shift?

The fact you CAN'T if you want to function the rest of the night. Honestly if you take a nap it will make it 10 times worse. Also the hospital disccourages you from doing anything good for yourself. They couldn't care less about their employees. (Just being honest)

7. Do you have any concerns about driving home during night shift? yes. We had one of our nurses a couple years ago fall asleep at the wheel after driving a night shift. She drove her car into the lake and died. No joke. When the hospital was confronted by the husband about being responsible because she was on day 5 out of 6 on night shifts they replied that working night shifts she needs to "find a better sleeping routine." I don't care WHAT your routine is. Our body is not built to work nights, its meant to be asleep at night and awake during the day.

8. If there is an especially designed 'Nap Room' available at the hospital, would you use it? What feature would you like it to have? No, i woulnd't use it. Maybe on a day shift i might go close my eyes for 30 minutes. Just to relax from it all. But nights it would be 10 times worse if you fell asleep at all.

Jenni811, RN

1,032 Posts

Specializes in Intermediate care.

Besides, i know we are allowed this 30 minute break. The hospital would FLIP OUT if they found out staff was napping on night shift. Hospitals do not provide this & will never provide this. I would be fired instantly if they found out i was napping, no questions asked.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

Where I live that "grounds for termination" is in full force. No napping! And breaks were something we had to sue for. Still don't get them.

M/B-RN

77 Posts

1. What is it like to work nightshift?

I absolutely love working night shift. You could not pay me enough to switch to another shift! Yes, it can be busy because we are understaffed, but i'll take that over dealing with all the visitors, docs, managers, etc.

2. Can you tell me a little about your sleeping habit before a night shift?

If I worked the night before I sleep from about 10-7 like a baby. If I had the night off I either try to sleep in until noon, or I wake up very early and nap for 2 hours some time before work.

2. During night shift, are you allowed to take a short nap during breaks by the hospitals?

We can, but if something happens or a patient has a question that only the primary can take care of then they have to be bothered during break. I personally do not because there's no way I'd be able to fall asleep at work, nor would I want to wake up after.

3. If you are and you do, how long do you usually take a nap for? n/a

4. Do you feel groggy after? If so, how long does it take you to recover? n/a

5. Where do you take a nap? Is there a special room provided by the hospital for nurses to take a nap in?

No, only if there is an empty patient room to use.

6. What do you think are the barriers on having a nap on night shift?

Understaffed, no space, and for me, I just would not want to.

7. Do you have any concerns about driving home during night shift?

No, just irritated by all the traffic.

8. If there is an especially designed 'Nap Room' available at the hospital, would you use it? What feature would you like it to have?

No, I wouldn't.

I live in Illinois by the way.

uRNmyway, ASN, RN

1,080 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg.
Hi Nurses,

I'm actually doing a Product Design degree at the moment and for my thesis/ final year project I'm thinking of doing something to improve the condition of night shift nurses, especially regarding fatigue and performance.

In order for me to fully grasp the needs and design opportunities, however, I'm going to need all the help from you guys! So, I'd be extremely grateful if you guys would answer my questions so I can get a better feel of what happens during your night shift and factors affecting it.

Here are the questions:

1. What is it like to work nightshift? Love it. I have always been a night owl anyways, so this is easier on me. I love the autonomy levels. I love not having to check my charts every 15 minutes to see updated MD orders. I love not having all the different specialties around the nurses station all time time. I love that when I have an intervention or treatment for my patient, they are generally in their bed. I love that all the afore-mentioned specialists don't have my charts all shift so I can't do my charting until the end of the shift.

2. Can you tell me a little about your sleeping habit before a night shift? I usually go straight home and sleep after my shift. Might grab a bite to eat first, but just something small. I might take a melatonin tablet on my drive home, in the hour or so it takes to kick in I am already in bed.

2. During night shift, are you allowed to take a short nap during breaks by the hospitals? The hospital I worked nights for had a separate hallway that only opened up when we were overflowing with patients, but was usually closed. The beds would not be made unless that area was opened to patients. So we were allowed to go sleep there during our break as long as we cleaned up after ourselves.

3. If you are and you do, how long do you usually take a nap for? During night shift we would combine our hour 'lunch break' and our half hour break and just sleep for the whole hour and a half.

4. Do you feel groggy after? If so, how long does it take you to recover? Depends on the night. But there's this wonderful thing called coffee for that.

5. Where do you take a nap? Is there a special room provided by the hospital for nurses to take a nap in? See above answer at #2.

6. What do you think are the barriers on having a nap on night shift? The biggest barrier would be a busy shift when I don't have time to take my break!

7. Do you have any concerns about driving home during night shift? Usually no. I use that time to unwind before I go to sleep at home. The few mornings I was really drowsy I just open the windows wide in the car and pump the music real loud. I've never been so sleepy I felt I was a danger to myself or others.

8. If there is an especially designed 'Nap Room' available at the hospital, would you use it? What feature would you like it to have? Heck yeah! If I'm tired enough, I'd take a yoga mat and a blanket. What am I saying, some nights I'd just take a free spot on the floor!

*Also, do you mind if you specify which country or city you work in? This was in Canada, Laval to be specific (A suburb of Montreal)

I know it's quite alot, but I'd really appreciate it if you guys would answer them. Also, sorry if my English isn't very good/clear as it isn't my primary language. Again, thank you very much!

I inserted all my answers in your OP. Simpler than scrolling up and down!

Here are the questions:

1. What is it like to work nightshift?

better than days because less people around. For the same reason, it can be alot more difficult. It greatly affects my social life.

2. Can you tell me a little about your sleeping habit before a night shift?

if i had off for a few days i might sleep 6am-3pm or more. If i worked the night before that usually 9am to 4pm. i work 7pm to 730am.

2. During night shift, are you allowed to take a short nap during breaks by the hospitals?

no. and we only get a 30min break, so it would be pretty difficult to fit in a nap.

3. If you are and you do, how long do you usually take a nap for?

4. Do you feel groggy after? If so, how long does it take you to recover?

5. Where do you take a nap? Is there a special room provided by the hospital for nurses to take a nap in?

6. What do you think are the barriers on having a nap on night shift?

We only have a 30min break, unscheduled whenever you can fit in those 30mims. We are not supposed to sleep and breaks are frequently interupted anyway

7. Do you have any concerns about driving home during night shift?

no.

8. If there is an especially designed 'Nap Room' available at the hospital, would you use it? What feature would you like it to have?

no i would not use it, do not have the need for it during my typical shift. day shifters do not take naps either. alot of this thinking seems to stem from people not understanding that you have to live the night shift schedule. few people seem to comprehend that unless they do it.

*Also, do you mind if you specify which country or city you work in?

US northeast

I know it's quite alot, but I'd really appreciate it if you guys would answer them. Also, sorry if my English isn't very good/clear as it isn't my primary language. Again, thank you very much!

arkool2004

11 Posts

Specializes in Home health, psych.

Here are the questions:

1. What is it like to work nightshift?

Generally a slower pace but not as much supportive staff availability when things occur

2. Can you tell me a little about your sleeping habit before a night shift?

I sleep normal and then try and take a 1-2 hr nap later in the day (spend that day being busy so maybe I'm ready for a nap)

3. During night shift, are you allowed to take a short nap during breaks by the hospitals?

We clock out for a 30 min lunch and can rest in the breakroom but can not go out to our car and sleep or anything like that

4. If you are and you do, how long do you usually take a nap for? See above

4. Do you feel groggy after? If so, how long does it take you to recover?

Not really

5. Where do you take a nap? Is there a special room provided by the hospital for nurses to take a nap in?

No

6. What do you think are the barriers on having a nap on night shift?

Staffing is usual less and therefore we all need to be available in case something goes wrong. I work in mental health and there are 2 RN's for 24 patients with 3-4 techs

7. Do you have any concerns about driving home during night shift?

There have been days when I do but usually on mornings when I need to stay late for a meeting or something

8. If there is an especially designed 'Nap Room' available at the hospital, would you use it? What feature would you like it to have?

Prob not

Tazhaz

6 Posts

Thanks for all the insights to the one who replied!

Feel free to reply if anyone hasn't :)

NICU Guy, BSN, RN

4,161 Posts

Specializes in NICU.

Although I am a pre-nursing student, I have been a registered sleep technologist for the last 13 yrs. I work 3-4 12 hr night shifts per week. I have not had a problem with staying awake during my shifts. Is there a need to have "nap rooms" for night staff? I sleep 8 hrs during the day and have no fatigue during my shifts. Maybe it is the fact that I have a set schedule M-W and all my shifts are night shifts. I am sure that there may be an issues with nurses not consistently working night shifts. After the first 6 months of working nights, my body has adapted to sleeping during the day and awake at night even during my off days. I keep the same sleep/wake schedule regardless of work day or off day.

Your English is great! Now, excuse my English if it is difficult to understand as I am working a night shift right now ( :

1. What is it like to work nightshift?

It depends on the night and patient load, of course, but I have anywhere from 4 to 6 patients. Sometimes there is a PCT or NA, but oftentimes not. There are very few ancillary staff, so for instance if a patient needs to go for an urgent CT or Xray, nursing staff would have to transport the patient. Our patients rarely sleep through the night, and we must round on them hourly. We get vitals at 1900, 2300, 0400 and also draw blood, prep for any surgeries and obtain EKG's at 0400. I work an 18 bed telemetry unit.

2. Can you tell me a little about your sleeping habit before a night shift?

Usually from 10-5:30, but I sometimes have difficulty sleeping

3. During night shift, are you allowed to take a short nap during breaks by the hospitals?

No. We usually dont even leave the floor to eat dinner. If you are caught sleeping, you may be suspended, written up or fired.

4. If you are and you do, how long do you usually take a nap for? N/A

5. Do you feel groggy after? If so, how long does it take you to recover? N/A

6. Where do you take a nap? Is there a special room provided by the hospital for nurses to take a nap in? N/A

7. What do you think are the barriers on having a nap on night shift?

Honestly, I dont believe its fair. Most nurses get a night shift differential to compensate them for working an inconvenient shift. Day shift nurses arent able to sleep, so why should we? Also, it reduces the number of staff on the floor, which is a liability on the unit if something goes wrong (patient fall, code, etc.)

8. Do you have any concerns about driving home during night shift?

I am usually well rested, so I am not concerned about it.

9. If there is an especially designed 'Nap Room' available at the hospital, would you use it? No, I would be worried about the unit not having coverage. These patients just dont sleep at night! What feature would you like it to have? N/A

Richmond, VA

Mewsin

363 Posts

I'm a SPN and a CCA, I work nights only(days in school has been a killer)

1. What is it like to work nightshift?

Love my nights, they can be busy but you get more time to work with clients who are awake, mostly because instead of dealing with meals and management and family we can actually deal with residents.

2. Can you tell me a little about your sleeping habit before a night shift?

The night before I have to work I stay up late and sleep in that day, I sleep until 5:30pm then go to work.

2. During night shift, are you allowed to take a short nap during breaks by the hospitals?

I'm at ltc and we can sleep on our break(we get 1 hour in one stretch for the entire night)

3. If you are and you do, how long do you usually take a nap for?

Usually I'm ok but if we're on lockdown and I've worked over 3 nights in a row I sleep on my break for the hour.

4. Do you feel groggy after? If so, how long does it take you to recover?

By the time I walk back down the hallway, I do checks on the way back to the nurses station, I'm awake not groggy.

5. Where do you take a nap? Is there a special room provided by the hospital for nurses to take a nap in?

We have an activity room with couches, during the day it can be occupied with family but at night it is empty and comfortable.

6. What do you think are the barriers on having a nap on night shift?

The patients and other co-workers are not always impressed if someone sleeps.

7. Do you have any concerns about driving home during night shift?

No but I live close to work and I work so many nights that it is not as tough on my system

8. If there is an especially designed 'Nap Room' available at the hospital, would you use it? What feature would you like it to have?

I would use it. Clean linen handy to change the linens. Quieter place to sleep (I think that's a joke or maybe wishful thinking)

I work in SK Canada

Here goes:

1. I prefer to work nights. I feel I can give better patient care without all the extra administration in the way. I have found that nightshift nurses work together as a team.

2. I usually try to sleep in as much as possible the morning before I work a night shift. Sometimes it works out and then sometimes it doesnt. I have family responsibilities as well.

3. We are not allowed naps while on shift. I guess if one was to take a nap on their break they would need to do in an area not visible to patients or family. They would also have to make sure they are back on duty on time.

4. If I could take a nap I still wouldn't. I am at work to work and I just feel it is unprofessional.

5. If I did take a nap I would feel groggy and I think it would just make the night longer for me.

6. N/A

7. Barriers: Responsibility!

8. I only have a short drive after work, so it normally isn't a problem for me. When I do agency nursing though, if I am driving into the sun, I have a hard time staying awake. I have no problem pulling over in a safe area at those times and taking a short nap.

9. I would not take a nap at work, even if an area was available. I want to be able to sleep well when I get home. It would be the same if I worked days.

Oklahoma, United State of America

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