Day vs. Night Shift

Chiefy · Oct 11, 2006

Hi,

Im also going to be working night (11p-77a) and am doing my orientation with preceptor on days. I know that there is a difference between the shifts but this is what had to be. But doing the days I've had a lot of exposure to the teams, MD's, families and the facility. Dealing with the pharmacy, attending morning rounds. I think Im seeing more of the facility happenings during the day.

I like it but can't wait to go to nights in Dec.

texas_lvn · Oct 11, 2006

I have worked LTC and am currently in HH. I will be starting at a local hospital in 2 weeks, I am a night nurse and will always be one. She stated that they do not like to do night orientation because she is not there to see how things are going. She stated that it is a minimal 4 weeks of orientation. I will continue working my other night job, so this could potientially mess up the other job. I called her today to see if maybe I could go to nights after a few weeks. She said yes, That we will meet on the end of week 2 to see how things are, and she would go ahead and move me to nights then if everything is ok. My whole point is that maybe you can talk to your DON and ask the same thing. Good luck.

ashley_michelle · Oct 11, 2006

I was hired for night shifts on a busy trauma/step-down unit... and I am also sent to day shift for 2 weeks with my boss (clinical preceptor) Today was my second day... and I HATE my job. I was on the verge of not liking it when I was on nights.. but I barely got out the door today before I was in tears. I was with a regular nurse yesterday... and she kinda threw my own patients at me.. and told me to ask her if I needed help. Well, I'd never discharged anyone.. so she was annoyed when I asked for help doing that... and then I had a few other questions during the day ( on admissions and some charting issues when admitting/dc'ing pts) Why are we on orientation? I really dont get it. We might as well just be thrown out there on our own. So I got through yesterday ok... and was back today for another 12. Today was 10 times worse. My clinical preceptor was with me.. while the nurse that i had yesterday didn't take a team again because I took it.

I've never been told anything but good things since I've been on night shift. -that they're impressed with how well i'm picking up things, my charting is good, etc.. and I ASK for them to tell me what I can change or if I need to add anything. And then I"m eatin alive by the nurses on day shift.

So today.. the CP made me stay in the morning after report for an inservice on braces.... which made us start late getting assessments done. Usually.. I'm done with assessments and charting by 9. I didn't start til 8.. I saw everyone.. and went back to start charting and she said that I was too slow.. that I would drown if I had more pts. During all of the assessments I had a pt being sent to the OR with a BP over 200's and another pt having panic attacks along with pain issues and another pt with cont. pain issues. So, never having sent ANYONE to the OR.. i had no idea how to complete and chart the preop check list in the computer. Which I guess I"m just supposed to know.

So anyway, this continued all day long. I got reamed by everyone... and my one pt with panic attacks was out of control. -Which i think was just psychological.. ( bp 98/46 hr in the 70's and pain 10/10 ) Call me crazy.. but those aren't physical s/s of pain. She can't breath but her oxy. sats are 99 on room air. So anyway, I spent most of my day with her.. along with trying to juggle admissions and other pts with pain 'out of control'

Back to my original question.. why are we on orientation? The nurses on day shift are older.. and NO ONE likes to help you. Your phone is ringing off the hook the entire day with doctors and pts and families. I hate it. At least on night shift the people are so willing to help. Its entirely different. If something is happening with your pt.. the nurses come and do whatever they can do to help. I thought I could handle days until today. I hate having people watch over me ( which makes me disorganized in itself ) ... even when I'm charting. I can't write and THEN have her come check everything.

Ok, well that's my venting for tonight. Sorry. Days suck in my opinion.. and I can't wait to be off. I hope I never treat a new nurse or a student the way I've been treated today. How are we supposed to learn? Or I guess we're just expected to know everything. I like the schedule of days.. I actually get to see my husband for a few hours.. But I can't wait to return to nights. even if my body hates it. Sorry to be so negative tonight.

Justhere, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2006

I told my husband years ago as long as I work in a hospital I will work nights. It is just two different worlds. Night usually is a little more laid back because you don't have the docs coming in and out changing orders. Usually after 10 you are not discharging patients. Yes you do get admission. But you are also not having to pass food trays and picking them back up. Also family and friends are usually gone.

badtz143 · Oct 11, 2006

>>>>>

I felt the exact same way about orientation on day shift. I was on day shift for 3 weeks, but I am now on evening shift, my permanent shift, since the beginning of this week. Days are different. My nurse manager isn't there to watch over my shoulder, but there are a lot of other older RNs who were constantly breathing down my neck, even the LPNs do it. I do not mind if they are constructive criticisms but if all they say is "you should know this already" or "you're an RN, you should know this" or "you're an RN, you should be thinking critically" or "you have to move faster or you'll never get out of here on time" then I'd rather not hear it. It did feel like on days, everyone is watching over your shoulder. Eve shift is more laidback and everyone is so helpful. The other orientee felt the same way about day shift and we're now both on eves, still orientees though at least until end of November. Eves are just about as busy as days but there is a different feel to it. Maybe it's the setting of the sun that calms people on eve shift, or maybe it's just the people. WHo knows???

Goodluck to you and all the other new grad RNs like ourselves out there.

bigmona · Oct 11, 2006

I oriented mostly on days. Hated it. Wanted to quit almost every day. It's so busy, everyone wants to take your patients off the floor or whatever else, doctors writing orders without letting you know, etc etc. No time to TALK to your patients.

I am now on nights, on my own, and if I had to go back to days I'd quit and find someplace else to work. I feel like I know my patients better, most of the time I have a moment to help bathe the patients, speak with them, get to know them. Some nights are just as furiously busy as days but for some reason, to me, it seems more manageable.

I think the nursing atmosphere totally depends on where you are- during my night shift there are a select few nurses I can rely on for help- many of the others push off doing work or needlessly harass the sole CNA on the floor for something they could easily do themselves.

I also like not having to deal with families

supernova004 · Oct 11, 2006

I'm thinking about switching to nights. I've been on days for three months and I'm drowning. My anxiety and stress level is out of control. I understand that I will have more time at night. My question is how do you sleep when you work nights?---I've never worked a night shift before ever. And, should I schedule the three twelves together in a row and then when the three are over, go back to a normal sleep schedule for the four day off. Any advice is helpful.

1. How/when do you sleep when you work nights?

2. How much sleep should I get to stay awake all night?

3. I've heard not to flip flop back and forth on sleeping schedules, but I don't want to stay awake at night the four days in a row I am off.

texas_lvn · Oct 11, 2006

1. How/when do you sleep when you work nights?
2. How much sleep should I get to stay awake all night?
3. I've heard not to flip flop back and forth on sleeping schedules, but I don't want to stay awake at night the four days in a row I am off.

I do sleep some on the nights I am off, mostly because DH wants me by his side. I take online courses and stay busy, otherwise it can be very hard on your body. I get off from one job at 7 a and the other at 8 a, I also have school 2 days a week until noon, so now I go to sleep about 1, sleep until 5 get up with kids, get ready for work, ect. On days off, I "catch up"LOL. So usually I get between 4-6 hours depending on school, ect. Good luck in your decision.

youngatheart · Oct 11, 2006

I am a new grad May 06'/ I started orientation on days for 12 weeks and then went to my permanent position on nights 7pm-7am. What a big difference, Days were very hectic, people going for tests, doctors orders, test, lab results etc. It was very hard to get organized as a new grad, I also had over 5 preceptors which made it very difficult, as they were also charge nurses who had other responsiblities. I am truly a day person and am having difficulities getting use to the hours of night shift. (feel tired all the time) but what a difference patients are usually in their rooms, family and vistors are gone, able to take a breath and get to know my patients. The other nurses at night are very friendly and helpful as we only have each other at night. Now to get use to the night shift hours only been doing nights for about 4 weeks and really feel tired all the time and try to sleep to make up for the difference. Can be a little depressing as I am on different schedule than most of my social crowd. Maybe when I get my organization skills down I will switch back to days, Will hate to lose the shift differential of $4.00 tho. Good luck on nights I know how you felt about working and oreintating on days.

navynurse06 · Oct 11, 2006

I love night shift....I mean I love it. I'm on days for 2 days this wk. And I think I'm going to pull my hair out. During the day there is tooooo many doctors running around the nurse's station, pts going to appts here and there. Its just crazy during the day. Night shift is much more layed back. I think night shift is a good way for a new nurse to get orientated to her/his unit.

PANurseRN1 · Oct 13, 2006

The nurses on day shift are older..

What in the world is that supposed to mean?