Why I LOVE night shift

Nurses General Nursing

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I have worked night shift for the vast majority of my nursing career. Although the hours and working conditions are sometimes tough, I would never consider switching to day shift.

Night shift staff, in general, are a different breed of species. We thrive off of coffee, adrenaline, and critical thinking.

I love that night shift has more of a family feeling, a camradarie I have rarely seen on the day shift. You scratch my back; I scratch your back.

I love that night shifters are more individualistic...I can be myself without having to worry if what i say or do will be misread or misconstrued as being offensive.

I love that night shift has its own rythem....usually insanity the first 5 hours, followed by a short lull at midnight.

I love that night shift staff can speak their minds and do their jobs more efficently without having to walk on eggshells or water down what comes out of their mouths.

I love that night shift staff arent watched like children in a playpen by the mid level and upper level managers just looking for an error to point out (no matter how insignificant).

I love that night shift staff get things done in conventional and unconventional ways - methods that day shift staff would panic over.

What happens on night shift, stays on night shift.

Yes, I think i will stay on nights for the rest of my career!

Specializes in geriatrics.

I love nights too. The thought of waking up at 0530 every day makes me ill. Also, the extra 10 grand a year helps.

Specializes in Medical-Surgical / Palliative/ Hospice.

The worst part about night shift is how I feel on my days off... but for all the reasons listed, night shift is awesome!! I worked day shift for two years and hated it!!

Thanks for this post!! I am still in nursing school and always wondered about the pros/cons of working night shift besides the obvious of it screwing up your sleep schedule! I have awhile before I start to apply for a job as a RN, but this is something I will definately keep in mind! Knowing this input makes me feel a little more comfortable about being a new grad (eventually!) If I get a job as a night-shift RN, I hope my experience will be great! Thanks again for sharing!

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I love night shift. I am on days for rest of my orientation but then I go to mid shift 3p-3a and I am really looking forward to that one! I was 1-1 first half of my orientation and that wasn't too bad but still early for me.

Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

i absolutely hated my first month of nights, but eventually, i adjusted to it. i have epilepsy and rotating between second and third shifts was absolutely impossible. straight seconds proved to be horrible because (for me anyway) going to sleep before 3 or 4 am was impossible.

sort of like coming home and going to bed after the 6:30 national news would be. weird!

that left straight nights and later on, working 3 12 hour shifts per week -- 7 pm - 7 am, which i loved. i was a psych nurse in a state hospital and we had to be cohesive and work as a team or nothing seemed to work. we lent each other sick days when needed, supported

each other when family issues arose etc.

most of the psych aides were great big guys, many of whom had played football at some point or worked out and that was a huge bonus.

we had a few women pts. onmy floor most of whom suffered from severe depression and pretty much unable to function at home. our crew

made birthdays special for both staff and patients alike.

the employees who were only there for the paychecks generally didn't last too long because the pts. ranged from difficult to almost impossible. night people are special! we get the chance to talk to the pts. more than on other shifts.

Specializes in OB.

28 years on nights (so far!) and I really feel now they would have to pay me double to work days!

Love my nights for all the reasons above and have also found as a traveler it makes it easier for me to find contracts when I tell interviewers that nights are my choice, not just a necessity.

Specializes in med/surg.

I'm switching to days next week after 3 years on nights:( I know I will miss nights so much for all of the reasons everyone has stated, but my body hates me right now, and I think the switch will be better for my family. Wish me luck! Bye night shift!

Specializes in Med Tele, Gen Surgical.

So agree about being paid double to work days! I don't want to be a nut in that crazy bin, thank you very much.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I start nights in a few weeks and I am really nervous about it. Thank you for posting this!!!

I recently switched to days and my body thanked me for it. I actually have time for my family, friends, church and activities.

On nights I slept during the day on my days off and didnt have energy to do any thing else.

The only weird thing is that I have gained 10lbs since switching to days :lol2:.

I thought the prospect of nights would be perfect for me because I am a night owl. I did like that I could physically adjust to night shifts. I didn't like, however, the lack of support most hospitals give the night shift crew. They seem to think patients sleep through the night. Hah! During the day, there are a lot more people to help keep patients occupied; family members, cna's, going to procedures. Not at night. These patients still need to be turned, taken to the bathroom, etc. And oh the joys of calling a doctor in the middle of the night!

Specializes in ED.
I love that night shift staff arent watched like children in a playpen by the mid level and upper level managers just looking for an error to point out (no matter how insignificant).

Kudos my friend! I have tattoos, gauges, and a boisterous attitude and voice: I do not need management down my throat.

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