Is night shift a good learning environment?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello, I'm considering applying for a position in a new grad nursing program. However, I believe the position available in telemetry is full time night shift with a day for classes.

My concern is that the doctors won't be there nights writing/giving orders, so I won't learn as much? Or I'm wondering if a newbie would feel better in night shift because there are less extraneous diversions versus day shift? Would a newbie be better off starting in day shift?

I'd appreciate any of your opinions, thanks!

Specializes in ER/Trauma.
just curious , way off topic , but I was wondering if your middle name is motha??
:lol2: Nope... sorry!
Up Vote Up Vote ×
:lol2: Nope... sorry!

it was just funny , i remembered meet the parents , sorry !!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't like working nights - but our shifts are 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. (DAYS) and 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. (NIGHTS).

I like having ancillary staff available. I like it when during a code that the pharmacist is there with the drugs helping. I like it that lab and x-ray are there and don't have to be called in.

I agree that it makes you learn to "do it all" but I myself question the safety of that in my small hospital. How much faster would care be given to a critical patient in the ER if we have to wait 1/2 hour for the x-ray tech to get there after being called in? And if I'm really busy but have to run the labs too, which means I have to leave the ER, that puts a bit of a crimp in my ability to take care of patients.

I come in for day shift at 0245 and for the first hour we go over paperwork and check charts and labs and meds. I get a good idea, as Roy mentions, of the patient overall condition because I get a chance to read the whole chart.

I work in the ER, on the acute med-surg floor and I do OB too. Rural nursing. ;)

I personally love having my day shift co-workers (lab, x-ray, pharmacy, docs) available in a flash.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

We orient all new grads on dayshift for several months, THEN only once oriented, do they go to nights.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in midwifery, NICU.

Stevielynn, how do you find starting at 3pm for a night shift? When you finish at 3am do you sleep and feel refreshed since its still nighttime? I ask as we do 7.15-7.45, days and nights, and on nights I always feel jet lagged, but never on days. have been doing way too many nights recently, sure the money is good, I like that bit, but cant seem to wake up properly for ages afterwards!

As for it being a good learning environment--I work in a NICU, 24 hours a day anything can happen, usually most of the dramas do occur at night!!! With less staff, less support staff etc, it is learning while running, but it does stick in your head!! good experience, I find!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I think it's a good idea for someone who will be working primarily nights to orient to days as well and vice versa. That way each shift gets a better idea of what the other does. Believe me, there is plenty of learning opportunity on nights. I have worked nights for most of the time I've worked in a hospital and believe me, there is plenty of learning going on during the middle of the night!! Best of luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge, Private Duty Peds.

A new grad just started on our night shift, after the first two nights she said" wow , you guys do work on night shift!! Day shift told me nothing really happens at night time.

Here is a little of what happened, send 2 pt's to ICU, one having an MI, the other in resp distress, 3 confused pts' sitting in w/c at the nurse's station because they wouldn't stay in the bed family refused to have them have anything to help sleep. 3 admissions and the next night, another pt having an MI( CCU was full) received to CVA's and a code. Our newest little nurse really got a chance to see what night shift is all about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

I didn't think I'd like working nights but I switched to nights when I started working critical care in November and I love it! Working day shift was just too overwhelming for me. I only lasted 5 months and was done with days. On nights, I get a little more time to look things up and learn more about my patients. Like Roy said, I can figure out what needs to be followed up on. I don't have to fight with PT, OT, doctors, case managers, etc. for the chart. The night staff on my unit are the people I've enjoyed working with the most because we stick together and although we have a PA that checks on us, there are no doctors around.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think nights is a good learning environment if you are able to function mentally during the shift. I am good for nothing at about 2:00 AM, but before then I try to thoroughly go through charts and look up anything I don't know on the computers, or ask fellow nurses. Personally I HATE nights, but I've learned a lot. In my hospital nights are REALLY slow. I like days better for the fact that the time goes faster, and I function a lot better during the day. But I know that many people swear by nights and wouldn't work any other shift. Certainly you'll learn a ton on nights.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think as a new nurse, it is actually good to rotate shifts once in awhile as long as there's enough days off in between to help transition. A lot of the time night shift can be really busy, but with less doctors making their rounds, less interruptions, etc, you'll be better able to plan out your shift better. Day shift though can be really hectic with doctors writing orders, management around, patients going off for procedures etc, but it'll really help with prioritization and time management.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Stevielynn, how do you find starting at 3pm for a night shift? When you finish at 3am do you sleep and feel refreshed since its still nighttime? I ask as we do 7.15-7.45, days and nights, and on nights I always feel jet lagged, but never on days. have been doing way too many nights recently, sure the money is good, I like that bit, but cant seem to wake up properly for ages afterwards!

As for it being a good learning environment--I work in a NICU, 24 hours a day anything can happen, usually most of the dramas do occur at night!!! With less staff, less support staff etc, it is learning while running, but it does stick in your head!! good experience, I find!

Hi - Actually I only lasted a couple of months on nights (3 p.m. to 3 a.m.) I started working days (3 a.m. to 3 p.m.) when I was first hired but I did do an orientation to nights, just so I knew what the other side does. ;) When I had my son almost 6 years ago (wow) I initially thought "nights" would work better for me. But it didn't. Ever try to sleep 8 hours when you get home at 3:30 a.m. and have a newborn? :uhoh21:

I go to bed at 7 p.m. now and get up at 0145. I work part-time too so that helps. I don't always fall asleep at 7 though - getting a good night's sleep is very challenging.

steph

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow, thanks for all the great advice guys! I should be interviewing for the position next week. Wish me luck. :)

I'm looking forward to learning a lot - I know I have a long way to go... I feel fortunate to have found a supportive community here.

Gallee

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment