First Night Shift

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 28, 2011

I am a new grad working at a Behavioral Health Hospital. I was originally hired for days but found out HR made a mistake and they wanted me on nights. I graciously (and sadly) agreed that I was ok with switching to nights. Thursday night is my first night shift and even better I am working 4 nights in a row. Basically all i'm asking for is good thoughts and prayers. On Monday i'll have as many hallucinations as my patients.

Psych (especially on a short term unit) will have some psychotic patients, but you'll see more depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolars getting their meds straightened out, and other such diagnoses.

I worked adolescent psych on nights (back when we kept them for months)- and nights were more a matter of monitoring them so they stayed out of each others' beds. And chart checks, rounds (may have a tech for that).

You may have some in the "Quiet Room" :uhoh3: CAN be a really dumb name.

Listen to your gut; don't turn your back; don't let them get between the door and you. You get the hang of it :) I liked it:up:

Callisonanne · Sep 28, 2011

Psych (especially on a short term unit) will have some psychotic patients, but you'll see more depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolars getting their meds straightened out, and other such diagnoses.
I worked adolescent psych on nights (back when we kept them for months)- and nights were more a matter of monitoring them so they stayed out of each others' beds. And chart checks, rounds (may have a tech for that).
You may have some in the "Quiet Room" CAN be a really dumb name.
Listen to your gut; don't turn your back; don't let them get between the door and you. You get the hang of it :) I liked it:up:

We have 3 "sections" and they vary in acuity. I started out on the side with depression/bipolar/PTSD and I am going to be mainly working on the "psychotic" side. Luckily they are balanced out by the other patients who we haven't quite figured out yet. We have a "time out" room which is right next to our seclusion room with the leathers. I have yet to have the pleasure to ask a patient "would you like to go to our time out room?" I'm sure i'll get the same response that I did when I asked a patient who had IM geodon to speak up when I asked how he felt and he very colorfully spoke up for me. :rolleyes:

Davey Do · Sep 28, 2011

On Monday i'll have as many hallucinations as my patients.

I hear you. My first Nursing job was straight MNs at an LTC. I had never worked MNs before and had terrible nightmares. Well, actually, they were daymares.

Anyway, I got over that circadian debacle when I switched my schedule to be on MNs ALLTHE TIME. I am, once again, a happy camper.

Good luck to you in your new position, Callisonanne.

Dave

Woodenpug, BSN · Sep 28, 2011

My prayers are with you. You don't need them, but every little bit helps.

morecoffeepls, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2011

I started as a new grad working nights on a psych unit. It's been almost 3 years, and, no, you don't get used to it. However, I love my shift. I'm the only nurse, so the autonomy factor is appealing. Nights is great because you may actually find the time to be an authentic presence and not have do deal with the advice-giving, self-history-relating staff who would rather not be bothered. I've also had the time to (nearly) complete an online RN-BSN program working nights with a growing family at home. I'll miss nights here if and when I leave after I graduate. I also get paid 25-35% more than other shift nurses.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Sep 28, 2011

Good luck with your new position! I love nights. If you have never worked a night before, however, it will take some time getting used to it. Your first couple of nights or so will be tough because you're not used to being up that late. Coffee (if you drink it, that is!) will become your best friend! But remember to stay hydrated. And if 0200 rolls around and you're feeling really tired, go walk around the unit or something. That will help instead of sitting around and charting!

amarilla, RN · Sep 28, 2011

Chiming in a little late but send ----->> good stuff your way.

I started on nights, was transferred to days, chose to return to nights, was switched back to days and now have returned (for good) to nights. I love night shift and hope you will find some good in it as well. You actually have some time to spend with your patients, going through the charts and getting things done without 50 things happening at once.

As the pp said: give your body time to adjust. Sleep as much as you need to to acclimate. Bring your own food to eat; don't pick from cafeteria leftovers or vending machine/takeout every shift. Don't drink caffeine after 0300. If dead time strikes (0200 - 0400), get up and walk around. Roll the windows down (fresh cool air) and blast some music on your drives home. Pull over and sleep (doors locked!) if you're truly zonked. Prepare your room - blackout shades (or dark sheet) and eyemask/earplugs can do wonders when you have trouble sleeping in the am. Shut your phone off and tell people do not call you unless it's an emergency. Sleep as much as you need, (again), to feel rested.

Good luck!

nightnursecarol · Sep 28, 2011

I did the ER and psych ER nights for years. Nights on the psych unit is usually quiet;it's about monitoring. Your phone calls will be from the ER for admissions. Also, I'm sure the HR made no mistake, but as a New Grad, they knew you would most likely accept. Soon a day shift opens, just apply. Good luck.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Sep 28, 2011

I love nights. I love the comaraderie, I love the quiet, I love the shift differential, I love being able to be a part of my family again (was on eves for a while). It is working quite well for me right now, and I'm not having trouble at all with my sleeping. I've been warned that there will be a day that the sleeping just doesn't go as planned, and I'll be screwed for 48 hours, though.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Sep 28, 2011

The ability to function on night shift is sorely up to the individual. Some people can do it and thrive, some ... not so much.

It's like anything else, give it 6 months and see how it works for YOU.

Nights has pros and cons, you'll figure them out.

If I could... I would work nights.... usually quieter, less stress. Best of luck. If you feel any physical problems, get out before they magnify.