HELP-New Grad to Tele- Day or Night?

Obiwarz · May 25, 2008

hi guys,
i'm a new grad and i just got hired on a tele floor. (yey!)
i have my choice of day or night shift (12hrs). any thoughts?
i'd really appreciate it. i need to decide by 5/27/08. th:mad:nks!!!

congrats on the job! i'm going on one year on my tele floor and i do 12 hour day/night rotations. both shifts have their positives/negatives. as you are just starting out, i recommend you take advantage of the day shifts. you will find you will learn much, much more when you are surrounded by the whole healthcare team (physicians, nurses, pharmacy, etc.) during the day.

night's are typically more relaxed, but of course your patient load doubles. i enjoy 12 hour nights because i start at 1900, get most of my work done for my patients by 2300, then pick up about two more patients, get everything done, and i'm smooth sailing. they do get long and your sleep schedule is completely messed up. this is why i look forward to my day shifts because i can actually get a good night's rest.

so if you want the best learning experience in the beginning, try going for the days. if later you decide you want to try a less stressful (although it can be more stressful due to lack of resources), then consider nights. just be ready to purchase sleep aids to help regulate your sleeping.

good luck with your first job!

Spatialized · May 26, 2008

Days you have to juggle patients coming and going, tests, procedures, docs, family, admits, discharges, management and the plethora of the interdisciplinary team. You can learn a lot. You can also get burned quickly.

I'm a dedicated night shifter. Will never work days on my unit. I believe though that working nights forces you to be more resourceful and requires more independence than days. Many times at night, you have to figure out the solution, whereas on days you can turn around and ask the doc (not necessarily a bad thing mind you). I really love the fact we're pretty self-sufficient on nights, it works for me.

As for sleep, yes, it can get messed up, but worse if you're constantly flipping back and forth. I don't have much of a problem with sleep disturbances and usually get plenty of sleep.

Either way, it will be a great experience, you just need to pick the shift that works for you. Are you up until all hours of night? Or are you a rise and shiner? Whichever shift you pick you'll learn to survive and thrive, but it has to be the shift that works with your natural rhythm.

Congrats and good luck!

Tom

BwayDani · May 26, 2008

Thank you guys SO much! After much consideration, I've decided on days. This is what the nurse manager recommended as well. Also, sleep is PRECIOUS to my health and happiness! I am not a night owl whatsoever, and I think it would really screw with my body. I know days will be hectic, but I am prepared for a great learning experience and I'm not afraid to ask questions.

Thanks again!!!

:redbeathe

Obiwarz · May 27, 2008

Thank you guys SO much! After much consideration, I've decided on days. This is what the nurse manager recommended as well. Also, sleep is PRECIOUS to my health and happiness! I am not a night owl whatsoever, and I think it would really screw with my body. I know days will be hectic, but I am prepared for a great learning experience and I'm not afraid to ask questions.
Thanks again!!!
:redbeathe

It'll be a stressful time in the beginning, but very rewarding. Although, I probably won't be staying at the bedside much longer, don't let my thoughts deter you from staying :). Ask questions in the forums if you need to. Good luck!

al7139, ASN, RN · May 30, 2008

Good choice.

I am not a morning person (I still have no idea how I got through school!), so I took a job that I work 3pm-11pm. I can still get stuff done before work, and don't have to get up at the crack of dawn.

Also as a new nurse days or evenings are good, because you get to know the docs, and develop a relationship with them. There are lots of night shifters who don't know what the doc who they are calling at 3am looks like. Developing a good relationship with your "regular" MD's is important, since if you have to call them, they know you, and as you gain more experience, they rely on you for information about the patient, and will trust your assessment of what's going on. Even on evenings, I know the docs, and even have good relationships with the few that are notorious for being "difficult" when called late at night. I also make a point to try to catch them when they are on the unit if I have a concern. Lots of times they don't know the "whole story"...I don't rely on the patient to tell the doc everything...often they don't.

I have also filled in on days and it can be crazy, but you will learn alot. Admissions and discharges will become second nature, you will get the opportunity to know how to prep pts for various procedures, and what to do with them post procedure. You should always ask if you have a doubt, or are not sure of what to do...I often will have a dillemma, and think it through to the conclusion, and then bounce it off another nurse or a doc(if they are one I have a good relationship with) to make sure that my assessment and plan are on target, esp if it is a situation that is new to me. An example is to give or not to give B/P meds based on the pts B/P and heart rate, and trend...(FYI, always check the B/P and apical pulse prior to giving any beta blockers, ACE or diuretics since you can bottom the pt out if the B/P is already low).

You will also have lots of opportunity to teach your pt about their disease, new meds etc.

You will learn alot about typical protocols for certain diseases, and how to prioritize your time, and use your critical thinking skills to solve a problem.

Good luck to you!

It can be really crazy at times, but the experience you get on a tele unit will open doors...you can go anywhere with the experience you gain.

Amy