Is this common on night shift?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

Hello all.

I was hired as a new grad into the NICU. Anyway, I will start on the unit in a little over a week and then in July and August I am going to have 6 weeks of classroom learning.

I asked my educator yesterday if I would work days while in this training or if I had to work nights and she told me I had to work nights.

I'm not so thrilled about this because that means I am going to be in the classroom for 2 8hour days a week and then on the unit for 2 nights.

Is this the norm? I'm concerned because I feel that it may make me have a bad attitude due to being so tired. I'm also concerned that this change between the two will put me a greater risk for making a mistake.

Thanks.

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Well that's how it goes sometimes. Maybe the best preceptor is working nights. I'm sure there's a reason why they want you to work nights. It's only 6 weeks so you'll be okay. You're lucky to get into that area as a new grad so I would be happy and take what comes. Just my :twocents:

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Specializes in Med/Surg Nurse.

I would ask for some additional shifts on the day just so you can see how new orders are done, discharges, and all the other things that occur on the day shift. I think it's good to get a feel of the day shift - the flux of people in and out. Also, the family is around more often in the day and I think you should be given the opportunity to see and practice with your mentor educating and discussing your patients plan with the family (especially for you since the family is hopefully VERY involved).I graduated in December 09 and have been working on my unit since February, maybe it's just me but there is ALOT that goes on in the day shift that was never discussed in depth during school. My orientation was 14 weeks and almost all was done during the day, even though I will be a night worker, for all of the above mentioned reasons. Good Luck and Congrats!

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Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

Unfortunately, I think that is the norm... by which I mean expecting night workers to show up to classes and meetings during the day without any regard to the fact that they take place during the hours that we are normally sleeping.

I recently had two instances of this happening to me, one was a critical care class that I was required to attend, and another was a committee that I signed up to be on. Since the class was once a week for four weeks from 9-5, that meant my sleep schedule was all messed up for a month. And then the committee that I was on was supposed to be for all staff members, but meetings kept getting scheduled at 0730, which was okay if I was already at work from the night before, but if I wasn't at work already, there was no way I was going to be there that early in the morning while keeping my sleep somewhat normal.

As far as your orientation, though I would suggest that you try to ask for at least a week or two on days. Unless there are literally no good preceptors around to work with you on days, it is probably your best chance to get skills such as communicating with doctors and families, as well as other things that just don't happen that much on nights, like taking care of a fresh post op, or discharging a patient. Just my :twocents:

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Specializes in CT stepdown, hospice, psych, ortho.

I think what you're describing is the norm. Especially for a new nurse. Same thing happened to me on a cardiothoracic stepdown floor. There was just too much to learn and it was easier to do the basic precepting for a couple of weeks on nights. Its not as busy (usually) and your preceptor has more one on one time, the pace is not as hectic, and you aren't immediately thrust in the face of family (for the most part) with very little clue on what to say or do. Its much easier to get into the swing of things with a few shifts under your belt before you see day shift. It sucks for your sleep but you'll live. I haven't done NICU but I'd probably want to spend some time with the babies and getting used to the equipment and turning, manipulating, etc without anxious parents watching my every move as a new nurse that probably isn't 100% confident in what she's doing. Something to think about....

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Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.
I think what you're describing is the norm. Especially for a new nurse. Same thing happened to me on a cardiothoracic stepdown floor. There was just too much to learn and it was easier to do the basic precepting for a couple of weeks on nights. Its not as busy (usually) and your preceptor has more one on one time, the pace is not as hectic, and you aren't immediately thrust in the face of family (for the most part) with very little clue on what to say or do. Its much easier to get into the swing of things with a few shifts under your belt before you see day shift. It sucks for your sleep but you'll live. I haven't done NICU but I'd probably want to spend some time with the babies and getting used to the equipment and turning, manipulating, etc without anxious parents watching my every move as a new nurse that probably isn't 100% confident in what she's doing. Something to think about....

I agree with what you are saying. I'm not complaining about being on nights, it's just the switch back and forth that I am going to have to do for those 6 weeks that I'm worried about. I don't do well with a super irratic schedule and I'm worried about the toll it may take on me mentally.

In some way I'm very much looking forward to nights because there will be less people around and more opportunity to learn.

I'm not too worried about looking incompetent in front of patients. I'm lucky in that I work at a teaching hospital which consistently has new staff coming through from all medical professions and the environment is so supportive and is really set up for us to succeed.

Thanks everyone for your comments. It looks like I'll just have to put on the big girl panties and deal with it.

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Specializes in LTC, Wounds, Med/Surg, Tele, Triage.

I'm just very pleased to see new grads posting that they are getting jobs again!!! Congrats to you and may you be successful in your new position as an RN!!!

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Specializes in ICU & Med/Surg.

I went through a 12 week ICU training orientation with the same schedule. Then became a full-time night shift employee. I am sorry to say that my sleep is still (9 months later) just as much a mess. Even though I don't go in on days anymore, it is just as exhausting when you want to be awake during hte day and sleep at night on days off. Clock gets so messed up, I am always tired. Not sure if you will be a night shift person after your orientation or not but just be happy you have been given such an awesome position and be thankful for the education and training you wil get. It will be tough but you can do it and you will be glad you did in the end. I graduated over a year ago and some people from my class still do not have jobs..........we are lucky! :idea:

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Although it will be a hassle...were you really planning on maintaining a night shift schedule all the time anyway? On the days I'm not working nights, I switch back to a day shift schedule, as do most of the people I know who work nights.

Honestly, it won't be awesome, but it probably won't be awful, either. You'll be fine, as long as you have a day between the night last night shift and the first day shift class!!

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all I can say is congrats on finding a job...and don't forget...CAFFEINE

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