Experience on Days vs. Nights

[srna2008]

I work in a SICU/CVICU, we recover all CV's and trauma cases, will it make a difference if I work days or nights for my experience. I work nights, but most cases are recovered on days.

thanks for any input

Jason

[japaho41]

I have worked both days and nights in MICU & SICU. It seemed that when I worked in SICU (days) most of the trauma admits came in on nights. When I worked in MICU most of the bedside procedures were done during the day. I think that it is matter of indifference. I can only recall one application that was asking what shift I worked. If you are asked in an interview be prepared to sell your experience, because you don't want to convey that you are a "skilled babysitter" for the dayshift. Don't participate in the shift wars, even though a lot of the orders and procedures are during the day, it is still 24hr care.

[brookesbuddy]

No, it shouldn't matter. When I interviewed, they didn't even ask what shift I worked (I work nights as well). I would imagine that the people on the interview panel have been around long enough/have enough experience to know that sh*t can and does hit the fan in the middle of the night. Plus, when pt's start to go bad during the night, there's often less people in-house to help which can make it even more intense at times. GL to you!

[DIGNOUT]

Yes, Virginia. Every time a bell rings a patient gets his wings... 24 hour nursing care. Patients don't simply code between 7a and 7p while the team is around--- it's at night at 3 a.m. when they jump out from behind the curtain in some freakish code from hell :angryfire And not to mention sedaltion/lytic/vasoactive drip titration, CRRT management, balloon pump management, invasive monitoring, etc. etc. etc. We look at that stuff at night, too. I think I stay pretty busy.

[amandanurse]

Take the advice on not getting sucked into shift wars. I work in a busy SICU at a teaching hospital. I rotate from days to nights- a month of each. Having the perspective of both shifts, they each offer their advantages and disadvantages. Both days and nights offer unique challenges and I agree that those who evaluate candidates for graduate school are aware of the big picute. Do what shift works best with your life and schedule and learn everything you can.