All the cool people work nights!

[meanmaryjean]

You know it's true!

What's the BEST thing about working nights (besides the differential)?

For me- it is the absolute sense of teamwork. Every job I've ever had on nights, those people became my friends. We depend on each other when the going gets tough. And I think all night shift health care people share a common bond- you can meet one in an airport and instantly have something to talk about.

How 'bout you??

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Agree with what everybody has said so far. I am reluctant to trust the day walkers. I suspect many of them work days so as to be able to brown nose and smooze management for their own gain.

I could also turn this around and say only people that can't handle day shift, suits, surgeries and the busy parts of the shift work nights. Touché

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I could also turn this around and say only people that can't handle day shift, suits, surgeries and the busy parts of the shift work nights. Touché

*** Except it would be inaccurate. I am a full time rapid response nurse. We (the two night shift RRT RNs) receive and deal with 68% of all RRT calls. We are based in a trauma unit that receives more admissions, and deals with more emergency surgeries at night than day shift does. So in addition to liking to brown nose the boss and charm the attending, they like the slower pace of day shift.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

I've only been an aide (start working as an RN on Monday!!!) but I agree - I LOVE nightshift! The teamwork during nights is phenomenal - aside from no mgmt, no docs unless its an emergency, no families unless its an emergency etc etc etc...

[texasmum]

I've only been on nights for a six months but now I really hesitate to work a day shift. Family and friends keep asking when I am going to "get" to go on days. They can't understand when I tell them I've already been asked and turned it down! : )

[aachavez]

So I'll be a new grad in September, and pretty much anticipate that I'll end up working nights. This is totally fine with me, Im single and dont have kids so I'm more flexible than others may be, also differential helps a lot. I've willingly worked overnight shifts before, and don't mind it (not in healthcare). So it's good to hear that most of you seem to really like it there.

What's your shift differential?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

At my hospital, it's 17%.

And I did a research study last year, and an incidental finding was that 90% of my night shift working subjects- work nights by choice. 85% of THEM had spent > 50% of their professional career working nights.

[C-lion]

Agree with what everybody has said so far. I am reluctant to trust the day walkers. I suspect many of them work days so as to be able to brown nose and smooze management for their own gain.

Personally, I would prefer to NOT have to deal with management during day shift. In-services, leader rounds, case conference...I lose a lot of time that would be better spent elsewhere. Trust me, it doesn't gain me anything.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

Personally, I would prefer to NOT have to deal with management during day shift. In-services, leader rounds, case conference...I lose a lot of time that would be better spent elsewhere. Trust me, it doesn't gain me anything.

*** I don't doubt it. I was just poking fun at the day walkers.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

I work nights because in part I don't feel like I am able to handle day shift. Nights there is less help, seem to be more emergencies and rrts but I find that a lot easier to deal with than 6 pts needing to be fed 3 meals each plus all the families plus the discharges and trips to endo, etc. On nights we occasionally sit there waiting for a bell on days that NEVER happened.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

So I'll be a new grad in September, and pretty much anticipate that I'll end up working nights. This is totally fine with me, Im single and dont have kids so I'm more flexible than others may be, also differential helps a lot. I've willingly worked overnight shifts before, and don't mind it (not in healthcare). So it's good to hear that most of you seem to really like it there.

What's your shift differential?

50 cents

My body would love to be a sunnysider but my personality is much better suited to being a sundowner.

I've worked a number of NOC jobs going all the way back to KP in boot camp. Each and every one has had a much more laid back and zanier feel to it. Better teamwork derived from all being in the same boat.

Three years as a sundowner and I still struggle to find the right mix of living by day, working by night.

The one thing that can make NOCs a killer: If it's too quiet. My last ED would sometimes provide several patient-free hours... so dang hard to stay awake and alert. Working in the big, urban ED doesn't present that problem.

I'll probably not go sunnyside for a very long time, if ever.

What's your shift differential?

First job, 7.5%

This job, flat $6.00/hr