How can I tell if I'm cut out for night shift

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I see that plenty of people on here say they couldn't get used to night shift, and that it was pretty much terrible for them. I have worked 8 hr shifts on nights (different type of work though) for short periods of time. When it was over, it never took me very long to get back on aa awake by day and asleep by night "normal" schedule. Would this mean that nights are not for me? I know that I will probably have to take a night shift job, but I'm debating on wether to apply for part time and see how it goes /tough it out, or just jump in and try for a full time one! If you have survived working nights, could you please share what your typical schedule was in regards to eating, sleeping, and days off? Thanks!

Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

I work nights (1900-0730) and hate it, but don't really have a choice at this point in my career. A day shift position probably won't be available for me for another year or more due to the number of more senior nurses on my shift who want to switch. Do I hate it enough to take another position elsewhere with more work or less pay? No. In only 7 months has it affected my family life, social life, and personal health? Yes.

I have pulled a few day shifts (0700-1900) and oriented on day shift, so I'm aware of the difference in business and crowdedness. Diagnostics, rounds, meals, family, etc. While I do feel this additional work (not to mention the decrease in my paycheck) I would say that the naturality of day shift is highly preferable to nights.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I worked nights for many years. The main thing is to make sure family and friends KNOW that you are not able to do things durning the day any more than they are able to do things durning the night. You are sleeping ,just like they are sleeping at night. They don't get up at midnight to go the store or go to lunch or so on any more that you are going to get up at noon to do that !

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Specializes in Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse.
I worked 8 hour night shifts with a 10 minute commute for 12 years. It wasn't easy, but it was 'doable'. Then I did 12 hours shifts with an hour commute and I made 12 months. It just about killed me. No matter what anyone says, night shifts take a hard toll on your health in the long run. Good luck! :wacky: :)

We've debated this at work, and I just don't know. I am sure biologically it does take a toll, but what if you're already a night person? I have been a night owl my entire life. I have absolutely no problem whatsoever staying up all night, working or not. Twelve hour night shifts (staying awake at least) are a breeze for me. I fall asleep at the drop of a hat during the day, and I recently redid my bedroom curtains and my bedroom is not dark. If the light bothers me I have a leather eye mask I use that blocks all light. I keep a fan on while I sleep. What if some people are just naturally adapted to be up at night? Wouldn't it put more stress on my body to force myself to go to bed at 10pm and be up at 6am if I am not naturally inclined to do so? It really does stress me out to change my schedule like that. I would (and do get) be very depressed if I had to do that schedule for a month or longer. Just my late night ponderings :rolleyes: Any thoughts from anybody?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

The Number One way to tell if you are cut out for night shift is to ask yourself this question: "Am I one of the cool kids?"

Because it is a universal truth that all the cool kids work nights. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Esme, Ha! The sign thing is a really good one. I want to borrow that !!! :) I have a territorial pom, so mine might have to say something about ferocious ankle biting instead of "large dog" though.;)
In a previous life my ex was a police officer he told me has is more afraid of the little dogs because they usually have the personality that a doberman should have!

I LOVE my fur baby. I am devoted to her.

My hubby tells everyone he wants to be reincarnated as my dog! He once asked why I don't greet him like I greet the dog. I told him if he ran to be flopped on the floor, rolled over, wriggled all over, begged for a tummy rub and did as he was told I might change my mind!

Truly your baby will adjust to be with you!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I work nights (1900-0730) and hate it, but don't really have a choice at this point in my career. A day shift position probably won't be available for me for another year or more due to the number of more senior nurses on my shift who want to switch. Do I hate it enough to take another position elsewhere with more work or less pay? No. In only 7 months has it affected my family life, social life, and personal health? Yes.

I have pulled a few day shifts (0700-1900) and oriented on day shift, so I'm aware of the difference in business and crowdedness. Diagnostics, rounds, meals, family, etc. While I do feel this additional work (not to mention the decrease in my paycheck) I would say that the naturality of day shift is highly preferable to nights.

See for me...I can't stand the noise level of days! All the unnecessary chatter and drama DRIVES ME NUTS!

I have worked days...a lot....especially in my management positions. Nights are hard...no lie but I still prefer them. I told my boss when I did night supervision that unless she wanted me to call her at 1 AM DO NOT CALL ME AT 1 PM!

I simply shut the phone off. If someone was rushed to the hospital they will still be rushed to the hospital after I get up. I had a spare phone for the school when my kids were little. My sisters and my Mom had the number as well. My sisters are nurses as well...they never broke the rule.

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See for me...I can't stand the noise level of days! All the unnecessary chatter and drama DRIVES ME NUTS!

I have worked days...a lot....especially in my management positions. Nights are hard...no lie but I still prefer them. I told my boss when I did night supervision that unless she wanted me to call her at 1 AM DO NOT CALL ME AT 1 PM!

I simply shut the phone off. If someone was rushed to the hospital they will still be rushed to the hospital after I get up. I had a spare phone for the school when my kids were little. My sisters and my Mom had the number as well. My sisters are nurses as well...they never broke the rule.

Good point. Shut your phone off at all times when you sleep during the day. It's a lifesaver. I am a "night owl" and I sleep fine during the day, but I still notice a difference when working at night. I'm not as sharp or tested. Even if you are a night owl, we aren't biologically wired to be up all night. We just aren't.

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The Number One way to tell if you are cut out for night shift is to ask yourself this question: "Am I one of the cool kids?"

Because it is a universal truth that all the cool kids work nights. :)

And

"How good am I at candycrush?"

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
And

"How good am I at candycrush?"

Hey now- that candy ain't gonna crush itself!!!

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And

"How good am I at candycrush?"

Well the sad thing is that I haven't gotten past level 30.

:nailbiting:

I'm better at tetris. That won't be a problem, will it?

:cyclops:

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I think many people either don't give the night shift a chance, or don't even try to make it work for them. Night shift isn't "normal", and it's easy to fear working nights. Most folks who give it an honest try are able to do the night shift, although that isn't to say everyone loves it. But it's a fact of life in most hospital jobs, so it's to your advantage to try to make it work for you. Plus the differential is attractive!

You cannot know for sure whether nights are "for you" without giving it a few months. It's a major change in lifestyle, but not all of it bad. I love the night shift environment, teamwork and pace. No management, no consulting services, few road trips, fewer visitors, almost no ancillary services (PT, OT, lactation specialists, etc.) competing for your patient's time. The only BAD thing about nightshift from my standpoint is that it happens at night. Sigh!

Take your sleep seriously. Darken your room, get a noisy fan for white noise, silence your phone and train your family or roommates. Do not make the mistake of thinking that just because you're not at work, you're "off." Eat healthy meals, drink plenty of fluids and drink caffiene, if you use it, early enough in your shift that you'll be able to sleep afterward.

There are plenty of good suggestions on this thread:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/night-shift-newbies-531465.html

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Well the sad thing is that I haven't gotten past level 30.

:nailbiting:

A month of night shifts will change that. All of the regulars I work with have made it to level 50 within a month at the very least. Some even make it as far as 200.

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