Am I nuts for wanting to try nights?

serenity1 · Aug 2, 2012

There were only night positions available when I graduated. I was scared to death of falling asleep on my shift. I oriented on days and then went to nights about 2 weeks before the end of orientation. I actually loved nights--the people, the quiet, the atmosphere. My body, on the other hand, did not like nights after about 6 months. I felt like a zombie on my days off. I never had an issue of being too tired on my shift, though. After a year, I went back to days. I still miss my night shift people, the quiet and the atmosphere, and pay. There is the same amount of drama with patients and visitors as days, but, as you mentioned, the management is not there to micromanage as much on nights. You are not crazy. If you think you may like it, go for it. I still struggle with the idea of going back. This is just my experience. Good luck.

JustADream · Aug 2, 2012

Not crazy at all! Nights can be difficult on the body, but I have found them to be a better teaching environment (depending on the floor of course) and sometimes the pace can be more managable as well for a new grad. I found nights had plenty of busy periods, but in between I had more time to visit the patients, catch up on charting, etc. whereas with days at some facilities.. well, there was never enough time in the day! I went into NS thinking I would never want to work nights.. but now I am thankful that I am night shift as a new RN.

I know our area also had more positions available for night shift for new grads if that is a consideration. That said, sometimes driving home I felt like I couldn't remember the trip so there is the whole zombie factor, but I do think that for some people they can still establish a routine. I haven't worked long enough to have one yet. I do think white noise during the day like a box fan can really help drown out the sounds of the school buses, mailman, etc. I also realized that I HAVE to have something to eat before I go to bed or I wake up a few hours later starving. Dark curtains and a cool room help me, too.

Best of luck!

jasilady · Aug 2, 2012

I actually feel the same way.. I'm wanting to do nights for multiple reasons as well as geriatrics. I don't know old people and kids steal my heart. I think nights would be great I haven't started the nursing program yet. I have a 3 year old son and I just want to be able to attend his school functions!! I always tell people I come alive in the night time!! I think it would be great and you r not crazy!! Good luck!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 3, 2012

I have worked all different shifts over the years & the only one that I just couldn't deal with was 3-11... I spent all my 'off' time just looking at the clock and counting down the minutes before I had to get ready for work. With 8-hour shifts, I had absolutely no problems working either days (7-3) or nights (11-7) because I only had to change my sleep time & there was really no impact on family/home time. Any sort of 12-h shift had a negative impact on family time, especially as my kids got into their teens & I wasn't able to 'be there' for important experiences - that mainly happen in the evening.

I worked nights (8h) for quite a while when my kids were young & eventually discovered that they didn't know I worked at all -- srsly. They assumed I was just lazy and liked to sleep late, so Daddy always had to fix breakfast and get them off to school. I was floored when I heard this from one of their teachers, who had assumed I was a stay-at-home mom based on info from the kid. LOL.

Hubby didn't mind me working 8h nights, but 12's were difficult. He always said that night nurses were the best kind of wife - cheap to dress since we're always in either scrubs or pj's; always available to take the car for service & home to deal with repairmen.. LOL.

katinme · Aug 3, 2012

i love love love nights. while i have found that the people who choose to work nights are usually a bit more laid back, fun to work with, and there is more of a camaraderie on nights because you have to do more with less, i also think it depends on where you work. there are fewer distractions impeding on my time with my patient(s).

i do have two words for you though sun downing. not fun!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 5, 2012

You are not nuts for wanting to try nights. If you're a night owl, then that's probably the better shift for you than trying to struggle through days or evenings.