New nurse, need advise!

[hm1987]

Hello guys,

I started working recently in med surg floor. I will be starting midnight shift in a week.

I am nervous because I heard from other new nurses that midnight nurses aren't helpful, they don't want give fair assignment and they try to let you take more admission if there on charge... I am trying to go with positive attitude being new nurse and enjoying my new job.

Any advise?

Thank you guys!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Hello guys,

I started working recently in med surg floor. I will be starting midnight shift in a week.

I am nervous because I heard from other new nurses that midnight nurses aren't helpful, they don't want give fair assignment and they try to let you take more admission if there on charge... I am trying to go with positive attitude being new nurse and enjoying my new job.

Any advise?

Thank you guys!

It has been my experience that night nurses are the most helpful, most fair and have the best teamwork. I'm not sure who you've heard all these bad things from, but quite possibly it's their attitude that resulted in their bad experiences. If you go to nights looking for friendly, fair, helpful colleagues and great teamwork, you are more likely to find that.

Night shift offers a great opportunity to learn from your colleagues, look things up, study patient charts and bond with your colleagues. (Never turn down the invitation for "Liver Rounds" -- it helps to create good workplace relationships.)

[hm1987]

Thank you for the reply,

I worked one night and its been good. I am still with preceptor even though she left me alone I felt confident taking care of all the 5 patients and catching up with my charting. The nurses kept asking me if i need help which made me more comfortable coming to work. I have a co worker who had bad preceptor who fell asleep and she wasn't there to help her or guide her..

I am back to school and I want start my NP Program next year if i like nights i'll stay on it.. if I don't like i have an opportunity to move to days.

[CardioQueen]

Be yourself, form your own opinions. Ask questions but know that there is more than one way to handle a situation so be open minded...there is rarely only one way to do things.

It sounds like you are off to a good start if you have a 5 patient load on night one. Patient care first, be a good advocate, and keep safety in mind with a focus on interventions grounded in evidence. Good luck!