My fear of nursing..

Katnip, RN · Dec 16, 2005

The odds are you will probably have to work nights at least sometimes. BUT there are hospitals that will hire without rotating shifts. The problem is, most of the day shifts get filled by senior night people.

Keep in mind, too that you will likely be working 3 sihfts a week, 12 hours each.

I do feel your pain, though. I worked night shift for a year in another industry and nearly killed myself driving home after falling asleep at the wheel.

Still, if you really want to be a nurse, you'll find what you need with time and patience.

2bnurseguy_2005 · Dec 16, 2005

So how did you cope working nights when yuo became a nurse? Can you give me some ponters on adjusting to nites

I currently wotk 7 nites straight . I dont think I will be able to start my pre reqs by working these hrs

SO do you think you made a right move by going into nursing

Im still wrestling with the thought

KatieBell · Dec 16, 2005

Yes, you will probably have to work third or an off shift (11-11 or 3-3 usually only in ED) at some point.

I HATE THIRD shift. Many people love it, but I am currently doing a thirteen week contract of nights... and during this time more crazy stuff have happened..mostly related to me beign all the time tired.

There are several articles related to nurses working 3rd and increases in MVC's and such...but I wouldn;t let it discourage you- you coudl always go into clinic work- or special procedures- such as GI endo or Onterventional radiology- sometimes they go in on call- btu in general- its a 8-6 type of job....

BJJnurse · Dec 17, 2005

the reason why you're probably hurting so much with the night shift is because you're working 7 nights in a row... 3 12hr shifts wont be so bad...

greystoke · Jan 8, 2006

You are right...The night shift is the hardest. An article I read a few years ago stated that there is a 40% higher mortality rate for those who do the night shift for extended periods of time. Makes sense. The body was built to sleep at night. After 20yrs I have found that it doesnt get any easier. The frustration level continues to rise. Cost issues, administration, staffing issues, the list goes on and on. If You are not a very patient and flexible person willing to take stress from every direction.......You are in the wrong business....sorry

1Tulip · Jan 8, 2006

I have worked long stretches of nights. Once upon a time, that was all I worked for a year and a half. (I was in the military, so it's not like I was given a choice.) I tried everything, and my body stayed 100% diurnal. I'd be pretty much OK up until 1 or 2 AM, tired but generally awake and functioning. After that, I kept dropping into REM sleep. I'd be standing in the middle of the unit, then the next thing I knew, I'd be jerking awake. I'd be in the middle of charting, wake up to see my writing scribble off the page. It's a terrible feeling, like having little petit mal seizures. Sometimes it was associated with hallucination-ish mini-dreams.

You can't tell me that I was safely in charge of my patient's care.

I don't know if there is a particular physiological difference between people who do nights well (like my brother... almost his whole career. Loves nights. Hates day-shift) and those that can't do nights no matter how hard they try.

stpauligirl · Jan 8, 2006

Im a young male in my 20s and been thinking hard about either nursing or education
Nursing has alot of jobs and seems you can almost find a job anywhere in the US I work in IT now and have to leave this career ASAP. I want to help people and be happy while doing that
BUT....... the thing that turns me off about nursing is having to work 3rd shift
i work 3rd shift now and my body hasnt even adjusted to it even after almost one yr...I have been struggling to sleep and it just doesnt help (headaches, being upset etc arent worth it)
Have you ever had to work 3rd shift
What do you think? Is this a justifiable fear

Worked nightshift (not nursing) and couldn't tolerate the bright morning sun....daylight hurt my eyes so bad had difficulty driving home. I guess you turn into a vampire or something after a while :chuckle

toby15 · Jan 17, 2006

I am a nurse in australia. I do permenant nights by choice. I definately understand that night duty is difficult, and the fear of how you would cope with it. I think when you first graduate it is a good idea to work all shifts in as many areas as possible to gain experience and confidence. But one of the great things about nursing is it so flexible. Hang in there and good luck. Dont let night duty stop you from doing nursing.

Buckyxj · Jan 25, 2006

I am currently in LPN school (finally) and work as a CNA/HHA for a hospice I work 6 nights a week which comes to 48hrs a week work and 30hrs a week school. I love nights and wouldn't trade it for nothing. I understand how it could be stressful. but, if you just keep a healthy diet and excercise that is my tip that I follow.

oso · Jan 30, 2006

Just a thought from someone who has been working nights for over six years, set and keep a schedule. Go to bed at the same time every day if possible, turn off the phone, black out your windows, and find some kind hearted doc to give you a script for Ambien. I am not one who recommends pill popping, but there will be times where sleep is not possible without them. But most of all keep an open mind about working nights, some of the most facinating cases happen in our ER at night.

PennyLane, RN · Jan 30, 2006

I, too, switched from IT to nursing. I had to work some 3rd shifts in IT, years ago. I HATED it.

Now I'm an RN working dayshift 7a-7p 3 shifts/week. I work in the ER and we have separate day and night staff. I was working 11a-11p for a while, but I told my manager I wanted to switch off, and luckily we had a new crew of nurses start after me that filled those slots.