Do you like day or night shift better and why?

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Do you prefer day or night shift and why?

Is it more difficult for a GN to get hired for night shift?

Specializes in Emergency.

Definitely nights. I'm a night person by nature. I work on a 42 bed post operative/orthopedic floor, so it's always busy, but less management and BS to deal with on my shift. The people on nights tend to be little more calm and laid back as well. On my unit, we are all about the same age and we are all very good friends, both at work and outside of work. We all look out for each other and I feel like I have much more support from my coworkers at night as a new grad than I did on days. I did days for a couple months when I first started at my hospital (nursing ed makes us all start on days and be competent before we can move to nights) and I was so absolutely miserable. It was too much to get up that early to be there (especially when I don't sleep well at night) and the other nurses and management on days are just WAY too uptight. Not to say that we are slackers on nights or anything, it's just a different attitude and approach. One that works much better for me. Pus I have always slept so much better during the day. One other bonus is that my boyfriend (also an RN) works nights so we are on the same schedule.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I work 3-11 and love it. It has been my preferred shift for all my staff and charge nurse jobs. I sleep until at least 11 am and if I worked day shift I would be in a coma for the first 4 hours of the shift. Diane RN 30 years

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Dayshift. I work Mon-Friday, five 8-hour days in a row. I feel like I'm more in synch with the rest of the world, and my body definitely likes it better, I feel more rested and less sluggish. I worked nights for 13 years and the last couple of years did me in.

I only with the shift didn't start at 6:45, that's a bit early. LOL

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Days. I dislike nights with a red-hot flame of firey passion. Can't ever sleep, can't concentrate, and I feel sick to my stomach all of the time.

Only SIX more shifts of nights and then I'm back on days. I can't wait!

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I also love day shift! The husle, the busle I love it. I like when people are around and so much is going!11

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

I prefer the night shift because it works out better for my family. I have no trouble sleeping during the day and I still get to spend some time with my kids before I head back to work... Also, the less family around is nice too...

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Specializes in NICU stepdown (PCA).

Nights are my favorite- except when I was pregnant...I just got too tired!

Im hoping when I get hired that a spot on the night shift will be open. I am not a morning person by any means! Getting up before 7 is like pulling teeth for me. I guess it is probably because I dont sleep well and I toss and turn all night long.

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Specializes in Surgical ICU and ER nursing.

I like the interactions of the day shift, more responsibilities, more chances to learn new things, get to know the doctors and others in the hospital. As well as get to know the families of the patients and the patients as well. Plus I like to sleep at night.

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I personally love the night shift; and I've worked both. 7p-7a 3x a week is great. :up: My kiddos are in school while I sleep. I don't get home at 8 or 9pm with my hubby running around saying he's been trying to get everything done and I have to tie up loose ends and feel like I am giving them "quality time" for maybe 30 minutes. I get up, shower, pick them up from school - spend time with them and cook dinner. It's great. Nights are not for everyone - neither is days. Neither shift is easier; each has it's ups and downs. I do have to disagree with a post about days having more responsibility. Responsibility is everyone's job and when you have more patients and less staff - it's a huge factor. Trust is, also. Right now, I work with three other nurses and we have over 80 years combined experience. I trust them infinitely. I also count myself blessed to be in this situation. Just my :twocents: :D

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I prefer nights. I have been working nights for eleven years now. I like the night shift, as it is more easy going than afternoons or days, and you get paid an off shift differential at my facility for working nights or afternoons. My work week involves 2 12 hour shifts, and 2 8 hour shifts. On the 12 hour nights, I work 7pm-7:30am, with an hour lunch, but on nights we are easy going as far as breaks go. The first four hours of a 12 hour shift is the latter half of the afternoon shift, and the less busy half of afternoons.

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Days are more convenient, but harder. Nights are definitely easier with little or no administration around. If I were older without kids I would probably pick nights.:typing

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I like nights way better. Days is much too hectic for me. I can home and sleep for few hours while my daughter is at daycare and then pick her early. Eventually I would like a daytime job though. Not 12hrs

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