I love night shift!!!!!

Nurses General Nursing

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I've been a nurse for a year now, started orientation on days, of course, and then on nights. That's how it's usually done in my hospital. Well, I always assumed that I would switch to day shift, the "normal" shift, after my rough first year was over. But here I am, 1 year into it, and I can't imagine EVER switching to day shift! I love my night shift co-workers, we always help each other out, we go out to breakfast together sometimes, less BS to deal with, don't have to see the mgr as much (who is great but a bit of a micro-manager), and don't have to feel like an insane person running around during dayshift. I'd hate waking up at 5am and having to deal with the extra stresses of day shift for so much less pay. Our shift differential is pretty substantial.

The only thing that bothers me is that staying on night shift will mean that I will forever be "off" in relation to the rest of the world's schedule. I still manage to have a social life, however, but sometimes I get slightly bothered by this idea of always being on the opposite schedule of the rest of the world. Oh well. Small price to pay, I think. Plus being on dayshift would make me MORE exhausted!

Can anyone else relate?

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I have worked night shift at various places and have always loved it! I plan to work night as an RN as well, I really can't imagine not working nights. I have never been a morning person and just come alive at night basically.

Tweety, BSN, RN

34,248 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I worked 13 years of night shift and loved it. Unfortunately as my body aged physically it wasn't working out. But for a long time I felt exactly as you did and sometimes I miss it.

piper_for_hire

494 Posts

Specializes in SRNA.

I really dig night shift too. I've done it for over a year now and it's pretty cool. Sadly, I'm changing to day shift because I start school soon and the switching back and forth between days and nights takes up too much time. That "zombie" day just kills me.

-S

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

22 Articles; 9,987 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I worked 13 years of night shift and loved it. Unfortunately as my body aged physically it wasn't working out. But for a long time I felt exactly as you did and sometimes I miss it.

What Tweety said.:nurse:

I always did love night shift, and would still be doing it if my body hadn't stopped cooperating when I went into perimenopause around age 42. That was when my memory became utterly unreliable, I could never clear all the cobwebs out of my brain, and I was exhausted and depressed. Things got much better when I switched to a daytime job, and with a few notable exceptions I've been a day person ever since.

I agree with you about working days in the hospital---you have to put up with SO much more of everything---more 'suits', more doctors, more procedures, more families, more admissions/discharges, more orders---and for less money to boot. I did it for three years and burned out. Now I have basically the perfect set-up, working 9-5 Monday through Friday..........but every now and then, I'll work a night shift because I can get so much more done. It takes me two full days to recover from one of those, but sometimes, it's worth it!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN

3 Articles; 10,428 Posts

I always did love night shift, and would still be doing it if my body hadn't stopped cooperating when I went into perimenopause around age 42. That was when my memory became utterly unreliable, I could never clear all the cobwebs out of my brain, and I was exhausted and depressed. Things got much better when I switched to a daytime job, and with a few notable exceptions I've been a day person ever since.

Oh, no, don't say that! :eek: I'm moments away from my 40th birthday, I've always been a night owl, AND am beginning a night shift shortly! My body is slowly decomposing, lol, but I had hoped my brain would hold up a bit longer, LOL!

Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

Enjoy it while you can!

My kids have a hard time with me sleeping during the day, but are good about letting me get the rest I need (and I need more sleep during the day).

So unfortunately at the job I have now, its either all nights or we have to rotate, so I am searching for friendlier skies. And like you, I like the people I work with and the reduced amount of bs and the hefty shift differential almost makes it all worth it. But I want to go to grad school and to PTA meetings and drive carpool - so I guess I have to give up trying to be master and commander of the universe and get a day job. :jester:

Blee

bagladyrn, RN

2,286 Posts

Specializes in OB.

Some of us never get over it! I'm 52 now and have been working nights for 24 years now. They would have to pay me double to work day shift! As a result, most of my friends are either other shift workers or musicians (the only others who want to go out and do things at 2 am).

I don't think I'll ever turn around and can envision myself someday being that little old woman sitting in the geri chair next to the nurses station all night because she just won't sleep!

HannasMom

303 Posts

Specializes in Geriatrics/Alzheimer's.

After working two years on the nightshift, the LTC I was working as a LPN Charge nurse closed it's doors. So I found a day shift position at an Assisted Living facility. Due to personal reasons I left this position in July.

I was offered a LPN position at a small skilled facility (28 residents) working 6pm to 6:30am, two on two off schedule. Tomorrow I will have orientation on day shift from 6am to 6pm, then go to nights for a few more nights of orientation. I will probably stay on a day time sleep schedule, so I don't get my body messed up.

We are selling our house, because after it sells we are planning to move to Tennessee. Right now people come to see it between 10am to 7pm, so I'll have to talk to my husband and our realtor about changing it to evenings only. Otherwise I will end up sleep deprived.

I like night shift, generally. It will be nice not having the managers around at night. I hope the adjustments will be easier this time. Last time was rough at times. It is something that takes time and sleep is a number one priority.

LoriAlabamaRN

955 Posts

I absolutely love night shift. I've always been a night person. I love the autonomy, the quiet moments, and the chance to actually NURSE without having to be too busy all the time. I can sit at someone's bedside and hold their hand or talk with them when they are sick or depressed. I have time to care. Since I am the only RN in the building and administration is not here, my staff and I are a real team, and we support eachother every night. I wouldn't work on another shift for any amount of money.

GatorRN

154 Posts

I've worked nights for as long as I can remember. I've always been a nightowl, so nights work out perfectly for me. Ya gotta love working a shift that fits you so well and making a big ole differential to boot. I would hate to have to go back to days.

Agnus

2,719 Posts

I've been a nurse for a year now, started orientation on days, of course, and then on nights. That's how it's usually done in my hospital. Well, I always assumed that I would switch to day shift, the "normal" shift, after my rough first year was over. But here I am, 1 year into it, and I can't imagine EVER switching to day shift! I love my night shift co-workers, we always help each other out, we go out to breakfast together sometimes, less BS to deal with, don't have to see the mgr as much (who is great but a bit of a micro-manager), and don't have to feel like an insane person running around during dayshift. I'd hate waking up at 5am and having to deal with the extra stresses of day shift for so much less pay. Our shift differential is pretty substantial.

The only thing that bothers me is that staying on night shift will mean that I will forever be "off" in relation to the rest of the world's schedule. I still manage to have a social life, however, but sometimes I get slightly bothered by this idea of always being on the opposite schedule of the rest of the world. Oh well. Small price to pay, I think. Plus being on dayshift would make me MORE exhausted!

Can anyone else relate?

Night shife certainly does have its advantages. Been there done that. However i am a day person. Lately however, I have been considering nights for the very reasons you mention.

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