Is night shift a good learning environment?

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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!

the only part of night shift I don't like is the sleeping schedule. Especially in the summer, I find it nearly impossible to sleep during the day. At most I can only get in 2-3 hours of sleep after coming back from a night shift. If I sleep anymore, I would wake up to a major headache.

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.
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

Steph, just thought about it--must have been a killer getting up to go on days for 3am!! Bad times to start , so how do you manage with the days that start in the middle of the night? AND with a baby!!!! Good for you hen!!!!!

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
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!

If you are going to work in a level I trauma/teaching hosp. as I do there are dr's around all the time giving orders. I work NOCs and wouldnt work days if you paid me 3x. Im also a new grad. Working night shift has given me the room to learn, there is less distraction. Less people, family/politics, usually (not always!!!) a calmer environment....Its a little slower, which is what i needed.

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Steph, just thought about it--must have been a killer getting up to go on days for 3am!! Bad times to start , so how do you manage with the days that start in the middle of the night? AND with a baby!!!! Good for you hen!!!!!

Well, the baby is 5 now. ;) I went back to work part-time (against my will of course) when he was 4 months old. My dh would put him in the logging truck at 5:30 a.m. when he got up for work and drive him out to my in-law's ranch and put him in bed with them. For some reason (God's blessing) our son would go back to sleep.

Now, when we both work, we put him in bed with our 17 year old daughter before we leave and she gets him ready in the morning and then my in-law's come to pick him up. They either watch him or he goes to preschool part-time.

The hours (3-3) were chosen by the nursing staff because NO ONE would work a true night shift (7-7 or 5-5). So, they split "nights" between the two shifts.

steph

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