Does anyone else like working night shift besides me?

[Joyfullme]

Hello; I've tried dayshift a couple of times and always retreated back to nightshift. I like the staff. I like the quiet. I like the extra pay. Day's and swing shift have administration, overhead paging, visitors, meals, and doctors to deal with. Each with their own level of anxiety that they cheerfully pass along to the nurses. I've adapted to the sleep cycle and can easily flip from day to night sleeping. I'm just wondering if anyone likes to work nights?

[DRBear432]

I have a deep appreciation fro those who work the day shift, by choice or due to circumstance. Without their selfless sacrifice I would have to rotate shifts, or worse work the day shift. So far I have about 1 year of day-shift work in 30 years of work (18 in nursing). That is managable.

There are differences between the shifts but the similarites in the goals are more pronounced: we care for aour patients 24 hours out of every day and I cannot do the whole thing. I appreciate the increased presence and collaboration offered by the various diciplines on days but relish the independance offered to the night staff. In my current assignment, we collaborate more on nights than I am use to, but this is not a bad thing because it helps our patients.

My hope is that the educational opportunities offered to days will eventually arrive on nights, too. It would be nice to have some depth/ added resources available to the night turn as well.

For those thinking about the night turn: sleep at the same time every day, even your days off. I chose 1p-3p and this keeps me on cycle and alert for my patients and staff. I need about 6-7 hours sleep in a 24 hour period and as long as those same two hours are covered, I usually feeel good. Too many of my compatriots appear to work sleep deprived. This can only lead to errors and is a threat to their livelyhood and patients. I have the support of my family and we do a pretty good job of keeping me safe at work from this perspective.

Another bonus for the night turn not here to for mentioned is the traffic: it is usually going the other way for me and thus smooth sailing to and from work.

Live long and prosper, safely.

DRBear432

PS: Good post, OP.

[Nursegirl1010]

I absolutely love night shift. I worked in an accounting office for 25 years during the day before I became a nurse. I just graduated from nursing school this past May and was a little leery about working nights. I'm 53 years old and wasn't sure I could adjust to nights after working days for so long. But, I'm doing it and loving it:redpinkhe. I work 12 hour shifts 3 days a week and I feel like I have so much time to do other things. I'll never switch to the hectic day shift.

[futurenursethatcares]

I am debating as to which shift I will take. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 10 month old, and I am worried about my ability to get sleep on my days off with them.

Do any of you have children and work nights? How does that affect your sleep?

I am nervous, because I have never been much of a napper.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of night shift?

thanks

Nights might be kind of tricky with little ones. My girls are pretty well grown and were from the time I started nights. I have been on nights for 2 years. And it definitely would disrupt my sleep if they were still little. The youngest I would recommend would be school age. Then they are gone to school during the day giving you sleep time. Advantages to me is not having to deal with alot of families or office staff. I work in LTC and it's definitely usually alot quieter at night. No intercom, no DRs, and most of my residents sleep most of the night. Just my

Hugs,

Shawna

[meandragonbrett]

I love nights and couldn't imagine working day shift. I know in my particular unit, the night shift folks are a very tight group and we always do what we can to help each other get out on time...especially when we have 3 patient assignments. We seem to all stick together also. Our day shift generally is not very good with teamwork and everybody is on their own. I tend to see a difference in the personality of nights in that we tend to be a bit more laid back and often have to work with fewer resources (not all depts open, fewer staff members on duty, generally no CNAs, lack of a secretary, etc.) Day shift tends to be very busy with all of the services rounding and writing orders.

[limestone]

I can't handle the chaos of day shift--too many people from all the disciplines crowding into the nursing station and NO place to even sit down and chart. Also, the constant chatter/gossip ruins my concentration and I worry about making a mistake.

On nights (we have 12-hour shifts) I have more opportunity to talk to my patients before they settle for bed. I work in acute care psychiatry and spending quiet periods of time talking is so important; we're not there just to push pills. I have developed my routines and love having the time and work space to do things up properly.

Have learned to sleep not too badly in the daytime, although I am part-time and also get called in a lot, so that I work intermittent nights and wreck my sleep patterns. But I don't have to get up at 5 am for days, and that's just great!

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

Night shift is the only shift I would work in the hospital, but there is no "quiet" by any means! I'm on an Oncology floor and no one sleeps. It's busy. But, there are still less doctors, managers, etc. to deal with. Plus, it seems certain types of people prefer night shift and we get along well.

[karenmv51]

i have been a nurse for over 30 years and most of it has been on the night shift. i do like working nights but what i do hate is when i hear the day staff remark about how it is easier on nights because the patients. i work on a floor that has cardiac and thoracic and neuro and no one sleeps all night. between pain and trips to the bathroom and confused patients, it is always moving. just a very different busy than other shifts. and i do agree that the night nurses do get along better and help each other more frequently

[AprilRNhere]

I love working nights. Unfortunately..where I work...there isn't much of a night differential. But- I don't have to work my assessments around dr.s rounds, PT, meals etc... -and fewer family members to worry about.

I sleep fine during the day. My family learned quickly that I was not "napping"...but sleeping. I protect my 7 hours of sleep after work.

[scooterRN52]

I prefer working night shift also, It is quiet and less people around and you know where your patients and charts are. Day shift is too crazy!!! I couldn't afford the cut in pay if I went to day shift. I have worked night shift since 2000, but I don't always sleep well.

[CaptGaston]

You are not alone in the dark if you are a nurse!! Love it.. Fewer suits, fewer docs to babysit... Codes are not a complete zoo because somebody is incharge.. etc.. less traffic, better pay, easier to find a parking spot.. its all good!!!!

[scooterRN52]

I forgot ,the parking is much more convienient and I like the pay better too.

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

i love night shift...worked 7p-7a for 6 yrs. i am working days now while i am in school and i hate it! i cant wait to graduate and get back on nights. i sleep so much better during the day than i do at night.