New Grad Nurse - NIGHT SHIFT ONLY

[mjm0427]

I’m a new grad nurse that was just offered a residency position at a hospital where new grads only get night shift. Makes me nervous since I’ve only done a few night shifts during my preceptorship. How do y’all feel about only working night shifts?? Do you get used to it? Any tricks or tips?

[LPN Retired, LPN]

I worked evenings and nights for 30+ years, mostly because there was never a day shift to ever come open. This was a state job, only state employer in my,area, so I,had,to,stick it out to get that state retirement.

I have been retired,now since 11/2011 and I am still suffering with,my,sleep patterns being messed up. I have to take a lunesta or I would be awake all night long. I'm just telling you this, because you're a new grad, and if I had to do it over I,would try to,find something to give me a day shift. Take care of yourself. Your body will thank you years down the road.

[amoLucia]

On ‎12‎/‎18‎/‎2019 at 12:27 PM, yournurse said:

Night shift is the best time to learn. Focus on managing your time and getting used to routine, documentation and giving meds!

Also concentrating on clinical skills - IVs, caths, monitors and pumps come to mind.

On ‎12‎/‎21‎/‎2019 at 3:31 PM, Natalie513 said:

Nights felt totally fine to me working a 12 hour shift. Honestly when I got off at 0630 it was still dark and I was so tired I fell right asleep. I put 3 in a row and when I got off after the last shift just napped for a few hours then went to bed at normal time that nights and thus was back on my regular schedule for the 4 days off. I do think 8s would be way harder. Working “only” nights is definitely the way to go, switching back and forth is hard. You want to get into a routine. Good luck!

This system also worked for me fine, and I did the 8s. Not a real problem for me.

You will find that having the 'day' hours available does really come in handy when you have to make appts in advance or suddenly. It's prob the best bene about the NOC shift.

And like others posted, night shifters, ie.the REGULAR night shifters, are a great group to work with. Friendship, support and TEAM WORK usually results. I think it's because NOC people HAVE to work NOCs (for whatever reasons). So they strive to pull together to make the BEST of things..

LPN Retired - I, too, retired after MANY, MANY years night shift. Ten years into retirement, I still have trouble sleeping 'day people hours' . I keep trying different things with varying success. But I DO NOT regret NOC and I'd do it all over again! ?