I Love Night Shift

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

This is just a post related to the absolute gazillions of negative commentary about night shift.

1. Teamwork, less backstabbing and sarcasm

2. Shift differential

3. Meals and showers are generally already done

4. The 3am giggles

5. Never need a sitter (elementary kids + older)

6. The traffic is nonexistent

7. Superheroes work at night (Batman, Green Arrow, Daredevil, Dark Angel)

8. Putting small gifts at pt bedsides Christmas Eve/Halloween for those who celebrate and then get to go home and spend morning with family

9. Sleeping out in a hammock (under a shady tree!) to get Vitamin D

10. Sending family to work/school and having house to myself

11. Night shift is full of really crazy or crazy sick pts. Either way, it's a good time.

You can disagree with me or do your night shifts/sleeping differently, and that's great. I love night shift. I'm hooked.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

#7 Good point :cool:

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED; Med Surg.

I wouldn't work any other shift. I love nights too!

3 am giggles indeed !

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love night shift except for the traffic! With 7p to 7a I go with traffic both ways. It's miserable. Going to days to get back to my 20 minute commute. I never know why they list this as a bonus to nights. It cannot be true for all.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

I've got you beat, meanmaryjean! This year is 40 years since I started working nights. Except for 1 month when I tried day shift, I've never worked any other shift & I'll never go to any other shift until I retire in another 30-40 years.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love everything about night shift, too, and your list is great! I have worked night shift for several years. What I don't love is fatigue on my nights/days off. I have used good strategies to combat it the best I could, but regretfully will be moving to days soon. My health is suffering. I will miss the 3 AM giggles the most. Night nurses have a lot more freedom and room to breathe, and when we get a lull we can have some good times at work with impromptu yoga sessions and the sharing of funny stories.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've always been a night owl, so working nights was easy for me. I never hit the "four am wall". I never nodded off during charting, never bleary-eyed during my shift. Didn't even drink coffee, lol, so not a caffeine high, just a....NIGHTSHIFT high! :D

It did have its downside, no doubt; had to struggle to make daytime appointments in between shifts (those I HAD to make, rather than schedule at a better time). Otherwise, I liked having fewer residents, attendings, management-types loitering at the desk :)

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCT, RN.

Night shift is seriously the best for every single one of those reasons!

I can't wait to get back on the night shift routine :)

Also, don't forget: #12: No bosses/higher ups or state inspectors to deal with! (at least not where I've worked)

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Software and home health.

Love nights!!!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love the 3am giggles!!!!!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm with you. Wouldn't have it any other way. I like the thought that I can jam pack my day away from work with all sorts of activities just as long as I get enough rest to function at work.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a new nurse, new to night shift. #7 made me feel super!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion