Day shift or night shift

I've been working nights for almost 3 years. The only bad thing of course is staying up overnight and how much sleep you have to get to recover. But our night crew is the best and I can self-schedule and I get what I want 98% of the time. Now day shift-not so much. A lot of them have been there for years so seniority is a huge issue plus they aren't close to each other like how we are on nights. Some of my night crew went days, only to have a normal schedule but terribly miss nights cuz of the crew.

So you give some, you get some-there's always a sacrifice either way.

I could not stand working nights. I used to work 8 hour shifts and 3-11 was my favorite, but when I went to a new job and had to orient to both days and nights. Something always happened around 0200 and I never felt "on my game" at night. The other part is that I have an almost-hour drive home and almost fell asleep, twice. I think it is personal preference. Our nightshift people LOVE it.

Maybe you could do a trial run for a while.

Nights isn't quite as hectic however there are less resources. It just depends on what you like. Maybe you can work a shift or two at night before you commit to anything.

Day shift pro's: none

Day shift con's: less money, more work, management and families present

Night shift pro's: more money, less work, no management or families present

Night shift con's: none

Day shift pro's: none

Day shift con's: less money, more work, management and families present

Night shift pro's: more money, less work, no management or families present

Night shift con's: none

It pains me (lol), but NOADLS makes several good points. Obviously though, your body does take a hit on nights. We know from research it has a negative impact and it is difficult if you can't stay on that schedule on your nights off. It just depends on what works for you. I agree with a PP who said to try a few night shifts before you commit. Good luck.

I've worked straight nights for several years, and I definitely prefer it.

-Less people around, less phones ringing, fewer visitors.

-Traffic is all going the opposite direction on my way in to work and on my way home.

-$hift differential.

You will have to balance the benefits against the fact that it may have an effect on your social life.

I'm working nights now. It works well with the kids schedules, I can go home, take them to school. Then sleep and be up for dinner before I go back to work. Also, it pays much better. I like nights, all except switching back and forth kinda stinks. The pros outweigh the cons right now for me, Especially when you consider 12-14 hours is a long shift- day or night.

RN BSN

I wish there was less work on nights. I had seven patients, no clerk and we were short a nursing assistant. Plus we have to take our patients don to xray, etc. Less support.

There is the bonus of more money and less management.

I love nights. I'm actually greatly considering returning. I will say I prefer 12 hour nights vs. 8s just because you have less nights you're required to be up/working.

Pros of days: "normal" schedule with the rest of the world, your sleep cycle won't get confused, generally you're able to maintain more of a normal life vs. sleeping all day and up all night.

Cons of days: state inspectors come during the day, management is there during the day, patients are awake which means things are more busy, visitors, doctors, etc.

Pros of nights: the pay differential is generally better, patients are likely sleeping, less visitors, less hectic, easier to focus on everything individually.

Cons of nights: sometimes it's hard to get a good sleep routine going, you miss out on a lot of things with friends and family d/t sleeping during the day.

I am an 'owl'. I can't function adequately in the day so I always worked nights,plus I prefer the somewhat quiet, no interaction with administration kind of environment. Yes our resources are low at night including staff. However, if you have a good crew , you can do it. I try to maintain my schedule even on my days off. Some people can't just work nights and vice versa. I tried both and even did mid shift. For me, however, nights works best. 😎

I think nights would work better for my family now. I have a child that's starting school and I need to be able to take him and pick him up. I'm all for more money lol and I could really do without management and visitors. I'll be working night weekends so my social life will be pretty much nonexistent but it's already that way with two kids under 5 lol

I hated nights. More sick calls, and it's when most patients crap out.

The extra pay was not that much more, not worth it to me.

All my real "nurse" learning, however, took place on nights.