Excited about night shift in LTC

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I have done days and evenings in LTC but rarely nights. I just go a part time night position and I have to say that I'm excited. I'm not a night person so I will definitely plan to get much rest during the day. The pros I see with nights is not having to deal with family members and so much chaos that goes on, on other shifts.

I feel as though I will be more of a nurse again instead of a pill pusher. I know nights have the downside too such as less resources and ofcourse going against nature and staying awake all night.

Any way, just wanted to share my excitement. Any advice would be helpful as well.

An old post, I know, but here's my 2 cents: I like the night shift because...

It gave me time to learn about my patients - their diagnoses, meds, treatments, family expectations, etc. - at my pace without constant interruptions from impatient doctors, a demanding DON, therapists, etc. As a new but older nurse, I was a little timid. Nights gave me time to learn, relearn, and practice assessment and skills without constant scrutiny. That said, I am very responsible and autonomous and work well independently. I also enjoy the luxury of not having to rush off at 7 AM and can stay to ask questions and learn from the next shift, most of whom are happy to share their knowledge and experience. After 2 years, I'm feeling pretty confident and am ready to move on to something new – either other posts or shifts.

I have my "nights task list" and scheduled charting, but first I round carefully, check those heel booties, bed alarms, call bells, Fentanyl patches, temps of patients on abts, vitals of Medicare pts. I also put socks on the patients I know have cold feet, and offer a kiss or hug to the awake dementia patients who just need some reassurance that someone cares. I make sure no one needs PRN pain meds and apply (or delegate) the butt creams that I know will make a difference in skin integrity. Then I do my trach & g-tube care for one patient. If I have a new patient, I make sure I allocate plenty of time for assessment, monitoring, and hand-holding to increase patient satisfaction and to reduce the likelihood of a fall. Nights are very hands-on and you do learn a lot about your patients.

Sometimes I'm the clean-up crew” after an exceptionally hectic day – I make sure the carts, nurses' station, and CNA supply closets are clean and well stocked for tomorrow because I know most of my co-workers appreciate that, and I appreciate their willingness to share the responsibility and success of the unit with me.

It's tough creating a sleep schedule that works but meditation, melatonin, a good mask, enough exercise and fluids to prevent leg cramps, room-darkening shades - they all help.

Good luck!

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An old post, I know, but here's my 2 cents: I like the night shift because...

It gave me time to learn about my patients - their diagnoses, meds, treatments, family expectations, etc. - at my pace without constant interruptions from impatient doctors, a demanding DON, therapists, etc. As a new but older nurse, I was a little timid. Nights gave me time to learn, relearn, and practice assessment and skills without constant scrutiny. That said, I am very responsible and autonomous and work well independently. I also enjoy the luxury of not having to rush off at 7 AM and can stay to ask questions and learn from the next shift, most of whom are happy to share their knowledge and experience. After 2 years, I'm feeling pretty confident and am ready to move on to something new – either other posts or shifts.

I have my "nights task list" and scheduled charting, but first I round carefully, check those heel booties, bed alarms, call bells, Fentanyl patches, temps of patients on abts, vitals of Medicare pts. I also put socks on the patients I know have cold feet, and offer a kiss or hug to the awake dementia patients who just need some reassurance that someone cares. I make sure no one needs PRN pain meds and apply (or delegate) the butt creams that I know will make a difference in skin integrity. Then I do my trach & g-tube care for one patient. If I have a new patient, I make sure I allocate plenty of time for assessment, monitoring, and hand-holding to increase patient satisfaction and to reduce the likelihood of a fall. Nights are very hands-on and you do learn a lot about your patients.

Sometimes I'm the clean-up crew” after an exceptionally hectic day – I make sure the carts, nurses' station, and CNA supply closets are clean and well stocked for tomorrow because I know most of my co-workers appreciate that, and I appreciate their willingness to share the responsibility and success of the unit with me.

It's tough creating a sleep schedule that works but meditation, melatonin, a good mask, enough exercise and fluids to prevent leg cramps, room-darkening shades - they all help.

Good luck!

Thank You so Much for taking the time to reply. This was so helpful.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Prepare for paperwork and chores.

Defrosting med refrigerators, cleaning and replacing various things like tube feeds, pumps, O2 equipment and tubing ... Stuff like that tends to devolve to the night shift staff, since, after all, we have the time.

How does your facility handle changeover and routine pharmacy ordering? Some places, you can be double-timing it all night and never leave the nurses' station until time for the am med pass.

Learn to love a CNA who knows how to keep her/his assignment clean, peaceful and asleep. And who knows when to make you come look right now.

Learn how to stay out of the way during am get-ups, while simultaneously passing meds and keeping an eye out for problems like a wanderer heading for the door or someone trying to fall.

Learn the difference between something that needs to be addressed at, say, 2:30 am and something that can be addressed in the morning.

Leave your med cart clean and stocked and keep report short and sweet. Earning a few brownie points with the day crew now will pay off later in terms of mutual respect and cross-shift teamwork.

Long-time night-shifter, here. It's not for everybody. Good luck!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.
An old post, I know, but here's my 2 cents: I like the night shift because...

It gave me time to learn about my patients - their diagnoses, meds, treatments, family expectations, etc. - at my pace without constant interruptions from impatient doctors, a demanding DON, therapists, etc. As a new but older nurse, I was a little timid. Nights gave me time to learn, relearn, and practice assessment and skills without constant scrutiny. That said, I am very responsible and autonomous and work well independently. I also enjoy the luxury of not having to rush off at 7 AM and can stay to ask questions and learn from the next shift, most of whom are happy to share their knowledge and experience. After 2 years, I'm feeling pretty confident and am ready to move on to something new – either other posts or shifts.

I have my "nights task list" and scheduled charting, but first I round carefully, check those heel booties, bed alarms, call bells, Fentanyl patches, temps of patients on abts, vitals of Medicare pts. I also put socks on the patients I know have cold feet, and offer a kiss or hug to the awake dementia patients who just need some reassurance that someone cares. I make sure no one needs PRN pain meds and apply (or delegate) the butt creams that I know will make a difference in skin integrity. Then I do my trach & g-tube care for one patient. If I have a new patient, I make sure I allocate plenty of time for assessment, monitoring, and hand-holding to increase patient satisfaction and to reduce the likelihood of a fall. Nights are very hands-on and you do learn a lot about your patients.

Sometimes I'm the clean-up crew” after an exceptionally hectic day – I make sure the carts, nurses' station, and CNA supply closets are clean and well stocked for tomorrow because I know most of my co-workers appreciate that, and I appreciate their willingness to share the responsibility and success of the unit with me.

It's tough creating a sleep schedule that works but meditation, melatonin, a good mask, enough exercise and fluids to prevent leg cramps, room-darkening shades - they all help.

Good luck!

I transitioned to nights about 6 months ago due to changes taking place in nursing. Now I get to do what nurses should be doing patient care! There is very little input taken from night shift assessments on my unit otherwise it is SOOO much less stressful. Without a night shift option nursing would be a thing of the past for me :)

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