Is it best for the new nurse to start with night shift?

[northmississippi]

Is it best for a new nurse who wants to work in medsurg at a hospital to start with the night shift? I would think it would be a slower pace so that you can focus more on how to use the computer and how to document on it, etc. For those who have worked both day and night shifts, what do you think?

[/username, BSN, RN]

I started on nights. I think it's much better for learning as it's slower and provides for a much better experience for both patient care and mentoring, which is crucial during the first year of being a nurse.

[Green Tea, RN]

I worked nights on med surg as a new graduate. I didn't feel it was a slower pace personally. Night nurse has more patients and often times with little help (less CNAs on the floor at night).

Documentation should be learned during orientation, so I feel it doesn't matter you work day or night.

[LilyRN99]

My first job was med surg night shift. The supervisor on the unit loves teaching new nurses and went out of her way to find things to show us and teach us about. I took the night position because that is what was offered to me. I've never been a night person but I adjusted well to work night shift. I continued nights for about 12 years. There is more room at the desk at night and less/no family members. Fewer new orders at night.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I've never heard of anyone not doing Orientation on Days, even if they were going to work other shifts. But others have pointed out some positive aspects of Nights. I hope you are a Night person.

Best wishes.

[Pkham]

My first job is 9-5 M-F, I had no problems finding time to learn how to chart. I think a lot of it depends on your preceptor and hopefully they will help guide you with their methods for time management and little tips and tricks they've picked up.

[Frumentarii]

I've done night shifts on and off when I started and still do, it takes a while getting used to it. I don't do nights as often now but I find that I can stay awake and alert for much longer than I use to.

[KarenMS]

I'm a new grad in the MICU and I was dreading going to nights. Like, miserable at the very thought. But it's so much better for me as a new nurse. It's still busy, but there aren't so many people around, less family, almost no traveling. It's been a much better situation for learning.

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

I agree with what others have said about how every person is different. But I will share my personal perspective as a brand new nurse 5 years ago on nights and I now work days.

First let me say, I was less than enthused about working nights in the beginning; however, I was happy to get a position in my hospital at all so I decided I would suck it up and make the best of it.

Pros of being a new nurse on nights. Without all of the distractions from administration, case managers, PT and OT, doctors and interns rounding, (ahem) families, routine labs and other exams or procedures, it was a great way to let me learn my process and hone my time management skills. Without all of the distractions, most of the time it was me and my patients, and I didn't have to worry about organizing my day around therapies and what not.

I thought I would stay on nights for the shortest amount of time and then switch to days, but I ended up on nights for 3 years, and I have no regrets.

That being said, when an opportunity came open to me to take a position on my dream unit on days, I jumped at the chance. I feel like I was better prepared to start adding all of those distractions I mentioned earlier.

There are pros and cons about each shift and you are going to find nurses who support both sides. My advice to you would be do not dismiss it outright and try it. You might be surprised. There are opportunities to learn on both shifts.

Good luck!

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

I think nights are a great shift for new grads. You will most likely orient on days first. I feel like "the night shift" works together really well, helps each other out without prompting or complaining. From transport to SPD to nursing- everyone looks out for each since resources are limited.

I actually lost weight on nights. With no PT/OT and multiple teams rounding I was able to chart more at my own pace and found more time to read about pathology or lab values I wasn't very familiar with. I didn't have to worry about waking drs either since ICUs always have drs present on the unit.

However I was tired all the time and missed out on a lot during the day with friends and family. You can always switch to days later on.

[DextersDisciple, BSN, RN]

I agree with what others have said about how every person is different. But I will share my personal perspective as a brand new nurse 5 years ago on nights and I now work days.

First let me say, I was less than enthused about working nights in the beginning; however, I was happy to get a position in my hospital at all so I decided I would suck it up and make the best of it.

Pros of being a new nurse on nights. Without all of the distractions from administration, case managers, PT and OT, doctors and interns rounding, (ahem) families, routine labs and other exams or procedures, it was a great way to let me learn my process and hone my time management skills. Without all of the distractions, most of the time it was me and my patients, and I didn't have to worry about organizing my day around therapies and what not

"Open visiting hours" meant no escaping families for me, ugh.

[NewEnglandRN16]

I started on nights and stayed for a year until an open day position was available.

I loved being able to learn on nights. I could read all the progress notes, h&p, imaging, etc. Yes there were crazy times but generally the pace is slower, less meds, no scheduled tests (unless needed stat), generally people are resting. When I went to days it was a big adjustment. Med passed increased, sending patients to testing, admissions and discharges, then the meetings and management and families. I don't always have time to read progress notes/updates. But the time flies and it was best for my family to be on days.

Best of luck.

[JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN]

I started on nights as a new grad and am very happy I did. While it's true that there are some nights when you are so busy and running around nonstop but typically the pace is a bit slower. It gives you a better shot at learning the flow of nursing, the nursing process as well as specifics for your hospital. The shift diff can be quite generous in some places as well! I worked with a wonderful team as a new grad and had a great experience. I suppose it depends on your faculty but I really enjoyed it.