Day shift or night shift

Sammis1CNP2b · Jul 31, 2015

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.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

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.

Caffeine_IV · Jul 31, 2015

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.

NOADLS · Jul 31, 2015

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

macfar28 · Jul 31, 2015

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.

AnthonyD · Jul 31, 2015

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.

Julesmama28 · Jul 31, 2015

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

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 31, 2015

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.

mirandaaa · Jul 31, 2015

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.

NGYSUN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

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. ðŸ˜Ž

TNT_RN09, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2015

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