first night shift over

[sasrn0988]

Last night was my first night shift, I have been orientating on days for about 5 weeks so far. On day shift I had started to figure out how to plan my day and what needed to be done. My preceptor told me I was doing a good job and it was going well. Last night, about half way through the shift I kind of lost it and the nurse I was working with told me it was a "disaster". There were about 3-4 additional things I had to factor in on night shift (am labs, totaling I&O, 24 h chart check, reviewing new MARs) and I didn't allot enough time, so I was late on charting. I told the nurse I was working with that the flow of nights was different for me (it was my very first!) and she kept telling me that night shift and day shift are almost exactly the same. I guess I feel kind of frustrated and a bit discouraged. I just wanted to vent I guess!

[Bringonthenight]

First night, sounds like you didn't do too bad. I think "disaster" was a bit of an exaggeration. No one fell/coded it sounds like a half good night. Was this other nurse a preceptor, or just another nurse working with you? If she was a preceptor, she should have been telling you the different things that need to be done on nights.

Chin up, you'll get better with practise.

[Morainey, BSN, RN]

Umm it was your first night! And I've worked 12 hour days AND nights, I can tell you that they are NOT the same. You just need some time to get used to working nights (biggest obstacle, in my opinion!) and how to plan your time.

[sasrn0988]

Thanks for the replies! She was my preceptor for the night, but said that she wanted to show me how to do everything I listed above as well as which MDs to call, but said there wasn't enough time since she had to "help me a lot". She just barely showed me how to do everything that was new so I got behind on charting and had to clock out late. At least I know what to do for next time.

[sandyfeet]

I think people who have only worked one shift for a long time tend to forget how different the tasks are for each shift. Even the process of just switching your sleep schedule over is disorienting: I know that for my first two night shifts I was not "on" like I was on days. But eventually I adjusted.

Will she continue to be your preceptor? If she's not, yay! Chalk it up to a learning experience. If she is, well, at least you know what to expect!

[24gaDalek]

I just switched to orienting on nights from days and it literally is a night and day difference *snort*. But seriously, there are different tasks to accomplish that have to be added into your routine, and expecting that you would automatically know how to allot time to do something you have never done before is unreasonable. My first night shift was crazy busy, mostly because there was so much to add that was new. And learning takes time.

I wouldn't worry about the disaster comment.

[HyperSaurus, RN, BSN]

Nights and days (and afternoons) are all quite different shifts with their own set of difficulties. It sounds like you didn't have a super great preceptor either, especially considering it was your first time on nights. Of course she had to 'help' you a lot. It was your first night shift

Even though my preceptees have oriented to days, and to nights on the oncology side of my unit (primary nursing), I have them follow me for the first night on the medical end (team nursing). There is just a different flow on nights than there is elsewhere, and it helps to have a day to soak that in before jumping in.

[lelafin]

Last night was my first night on night shift on a busy trauma unit! I felt the same way as you. I've been orienting for about 6 weeks now on days, and finally was getting a rhythm, and feeling like I could handle the time management to a degree. But omg last night felt like I had just stepped onto the floor for the first time (almost), and they threw 6 patients at me all at once! I just wanted to say something because I felt like I could have written your post. I was so behind on both tasks and charting, the morning nurse was giving me nasty looks in report. SORRY!!! Plus I felt like I was going to fall over from exhaustion the entire time. It's hard to do a good job when your mind is running on no sleep! Here's to us getting used to night shift! I feel like I will eventually like it though - the people are the coolest :)