I Love Night Shift

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

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.

Hello night owls.. as I mentioned in a previous post, I may be starting a night shift as a new grad. I have 3 children in elementary school and planning to stick to a sleep schedule as best I could.

Some of you mentioned feeling "off" on your days off. Is it because you are trying to sleep extra hours or simply the fact that you can't sleep because your body is used to being awake. What about during the day on your days off, are you sleeping during the same time you would if you were working that same night?

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NOADLS-OK gotcha!!!

Any of you work pediatrics at night? Is it different since families are allowed to spend the night.

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LM NY said:
NOADLS-OK gotcha!

Any of you work pediatrics at night? Is it different since families are allowed to spend the night.

The eyes of family members are additional eyes for management. Hint: don't let them find you sleeping or playing with your phone / laptop (or in my case, school work)

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I also love working nightshift. The only problem I am having right now is dealing with school and work. When I am done in September and have my BSN I will be able to get back on a schedule that won't leave me feeling so worn out all the time.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Stepdown.
runsalot said:
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.

I know! When I had a travel assignment in Torrence Ca, the 405 was the worse at 6pm and 8am.....

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I've been a night nurse for the majority of 22years. I love it. I'm now doing days for personal family reasons and really miss my nights.

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Worked nights from 1987 to 2014 virtually continuously, before that 78 to 82 then 83 to 85. Best times ever, worked in ICU with a fantastic team and the highlight of the night was tea and toast at 6am usually the conversation ended up we all started talking about sex. Even had tea and toast when we had had to evacuate the ICU due to a fire at the start of the night. Amazing times and amazing people and in a way I do miss them.

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Night Shift is Great

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Specializes in LTC, Assisted Living, Surgical Clinic.

No way could I stay awake for night shift. If I thought I could, I'd totally do it. No meals to work around, no demanding family members, no state, no management, and a little bit better pay.

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I love nights, even with a higher ratio than days. It's awesome. As a med/surg nurse it rocks to not have a million departments calling all the time, wanting different things or patients in different places the entire shift. Management is gone, so there tends to be less red tape and random paperwork. It sometimes takes longer to get something done but very few things come up that require outside interventions. I like being able to plan my shift and get things done like chart reviews and order evaluations. I also enjoy having the time to do a few little things to help day shift get ready.

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Lovingly, I think you're all nuts! However, I'm always very grateful to our permanent night staff! I have to work nights every 5-6 weeks and I'm not a fan as I struggle to stay motivated as I'm fighting to stay awake, however without the lovely night staff I'd have to work them more regularly!

I do admit having the house (and more specifically my bed!) to myself is a luxury I only get whilst working nights!

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Agreed!! I love night shift too ?

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