What exactly do the RN's do on the night shift?

Nurses do everything you mentioned on night shift. You usually have a med pass at the beginning and one at the end of the shift. You do blood sugars when ordered, usually before the AM med pass. Other than that you respond to the situation as it occurs. You assess and provide care to any residents that are identified as "change of condition" charting for an acute illness, a recent fall, etc. If someone has a change of condition during your shift, you assess and take appropriate action; e.g. call the doctor, move to hospital on doctor's order, call the family (unless really drastic, we call last thing in the morning to the family), do whatever doctor orders. And you have your share of weekly summaries, equipment checks, body checks, etc. But things are less hectic than during the day and supposedly, you are attempting to promote rest through peace and quiet for the residents. Easier said than done on most nights.

I work the same shift. Yeah the duties tend to be the same, but most of the time it is a little slower paced; only problem with that is you gotta stay alert and awake, which can be hard to adjust to at first. I have a couple g-tube feedings, a 0600 med pass, like one blood sugar, not too many treatments scheduled because most people are sleeping. You have to deal with any issues that may arise prn meds, patient documentation follow up assessment for anybody who has had a change in status or recent procedure, post fall. I have some not-so-nursy tasks like documenting the temp of the fridges, file paperwork in to the appropiate chart, etc.

I like to sleep. Just kidding(or am I?). No really just kidding. I do read Sporting News a lot of nights.

Paper work!!! After shift report, I pass routine meds & do assessments. The doctors usually round by then and write new orders. I then pass new ordered meds & tx. After recording assessments, I do entire chart checks; triple checking the MARS & Kardex & Orders of the previous days for errors (we aren't' on electronic system yet). Pass PRN meds (lots of Sonata or Ativan). Prepare the Doctors Progress notes, Answer the sun-downers call lights, lots of toileting. Record fridge temps. Filing. Make copies for packets. Do Inventory. Equipment checks. Pass morning meds & tx. We stay busy!

I've worked some night shifts. I do rounds every 2 hours, do lots of paperwork, pass a few meds (mostly at the end), and restock the med room.

Sleep....haha, I'm lucky some nights if I eat and pee. It's busy all the time on my floor.

and re-caps once a month maybe