Night Nurses: Why Do You Work Nights?

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

I took nights/weekends because I thought it was my best shot of getting 3x12 right away--then realized I would make an extra $5K/yr! I'm not a morning person--my natural clock seems to run for 3-11, but 7p-7a isn't bad.

Nights seem like a good spot for a new nurse--a bit less pressure with med passes, fewer visitors, fewer docs. More paperwork, but only a little.

On my floor, there's pretty good camaraderie on nights--we know we're weird, and we like it that way. Sometimes have more time to visit with patients--on the other hand, waking people up at 0400 for neuro checks can be a bummer (last night had one on q1h and one on q2h.)

My cats are pretty nocturnal, anyway, so that's no problem. Three twelves in a row is about my limit, though. My phone will be off the hook Monday.

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.

Right now I rotate 12 hr shifts. I really find myself liking nights much more than days. At night, your patients mostly stay put. The charts mostly stay put. The desk isn't crowded with docs, nurses, students, therapists, etc. The few families that stay are usually trying to get some much needed rest. They're usually not the ones trying to get the latest scoop on the patient or there to make an appearance. I can also take the time to get a closer look at the patient's chart when I do my chart checks. I'm often able to have better answers to reassure the patients and family members who are awake at night with worries or questions about their condition. It seems like I have a little more time to spend with my patients b/c I'm usually the only one in and out of their rooms. I also find it easier than struggling against my inner clock. All through nursing school and the majority of my orientation my IBS was flaring up on a daily basis. My body just does not tolerate getting started @ 5:30 or 6 am.

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I work nights for my family. I see my children MORE by working nights. They sleep while I am at work and I sleep while they are at school. I see them for a few hours after school; when they get home, I am getting up! It works great for our family right now. The extra money is great too!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

More money in the form of shift differential, no jammed parkways, closer parking, I am home if my daughters school calls and she is sick, We eat dinner together every day before I go to work. If I need to bring my car in for service or make a doctors appt. I can without waiting for a day off, just schedule it later in the afternoon. Less BS from nurse managers and hospital administrations too !

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.

Oh yeah! I forgot! At night I can park in the visitors garage instead of the shuttle lot 15 min away. If I finish @ 7:30 p, I have 'till 7:34 to be at the other end of the hospital and nine floors down. Otherwise, I have to wait until 8:15p for the next shuttle. The parking situation can easily add 45min-1 hr to my day if I don't time it right. None of those problems to deal with when I work @ night.:D

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

more elbow room and fewer white coats.. ahh the pleasantries.. besides, the breaks are much longer!!!!!:chuckle

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

As a day nurse, I have a question for MisterChris and a comment for the rest.

1)...Putting elastic in knickers????????? What in the world does that mean???

And my comment: to all you night nurses who say you love having the time for "hands on care"...if all y'all ever have to take care of me, PLEASE don't wake me up in the middle of the night for anything.

Oh, and by the way, I am one of those "administration types" y'all say you're glad you don't have to deal with.

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Me? Well, several reasons. Of course, this IS my third tour in several years, so I was able to think 'em up.

1.) My boss trusts me to do the job right; Admin. knows my work, and lets me go.

2.) It is TEMPORARY!

3.) Necessary paperwork will USUALLY get done....if I don't hafta chase after the people.

Just to be curious....shift diff? What is that? :p :chuckle Never got it at this place. Of course....#4....I usually get 88 hours a pay period. Just the way it works out with my 11-7's. :chuckle

Till later,

Suebird

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I am an evening/night nurse, but I prefer nights by far! I did days and it wore me out! I had to wake up early, cart the children to babysitter, hurry with paperwork after my shift so I could make it to the babysitter's on time, and then get home to deal with three toddlers, housework, cooking, etc. Whew! :uhoh21: It seemed like I never had a moment to rest.

Now working evenings I can do things with the children or run errands before work. Then if I woke up to early I can nap with them before my shift. Nights is even better because I have all day to get things done. I nap when they nap, nap again when I tuck them in for the night, and go to work fully refreshed. ONLY to deal with less meds, less staff, fewer call lights. I can actually STUDY some on the night shift, especially if I am on the vent unit where there is a dedicated RT on staff!:)

The extra $1.50 doesn't hurt much either.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

When I was in my twenties I was a day person, since I finished nursing school (LPN), I have found that I am a night person, and I don't function well on days at all, I esp. don't function on afternoons, I feel great at night. The problem is that I am a new grad and around here nobody wants to work 3-11. I hope I find a night line soon.

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Many years ago when I started at the hospital, that was the only shift available - and I found that I liked it. I can sleep like a baby during the day, with the TV on, people walking around, doesn't have to be dark or anything - but come nightfall, even if I'm not working, I'm wide awake! :)

At the LTCF, where I just started, the residents are quieter at noc than the last place - it just amazes me, the lites aren't going off all nite long - it could be because they have more aides, tho.

And, as most people have said, less BS at noc - at the last place I found time to talk to and get to know and love some of those people. If they were distressed or hurting, I felt like I had a little more time to pay attention to them - and some of the things those people did at noc almost made everything worthwhile - there was this one LOL who I had to wake up and give eye gtts to - as soon as she woke up she would break out in the most beautiful toothless grin I've ever seen - no one else appreciated it, they told me she was mean during the day, but there was something about that grin that always raised my spirits.:icon_cheesygrin:

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Specializes in Gereriactics.

I have worked about every shift you can imagine in LTC and just in the past year went to 11-7, my choice, because after 20 years of running the halls my feet are rebelling and the stress level on days is awful. i am much more relaxed now and my family like me better. Lso more hands on and belive it or not a lot of my pts. are up for hours at night because they don't need 8 or 10 hours of sleep

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