I just "graduated" from my orientation. Things went very well-- I had a nurturing preceptor who was encouraged my learning and was so supportive during my orientation. ALL of the dayshift nurses were supportive. I felt welcome and part of a team. My orientation was 3 1/2 months long; I felt fairly confident in my abilities to care for patients.
I just started night shift. It is such a different ballgame. Nightshift has its perks-- but I hate it. The nurses are somewhat "clicky" and I feel as if I am imposing on their territory. They roll their eyes when I begin my 0400 assessments. I was told to wait until 0530 to do the assessments. I don't feel safe in doing this. I didn't make a fuss with them-- I just did the assessments anyway. The aides were upset with me because they said I was making "more work" for them by waking the patients up at such an early hour. I am second guessing myself; maybe I should be more of a "team player" and do my assessments when they request. I just don't feel like a safe or prudent nurse waiting so long when things can go bad in such a short amount of time.
I feel depressed and weepy on my days off. I want to stay in bed most of the time. My body and spirit are not adjusting to this shift. My stomach is so upset all of the time and my mind feels foggy.
I guess I just need some words of encouragement. Thank you for listening.
Can you go to your overall boss, PCD, master preceptor or whoever is in charge of new hires and tell them what is going on, how you feel? Seems like it was so positive on day shift and yet all these problems on night shift. Maybe they could just transfer you to day shift permanently if you really pressed them.
I personally love night shift for the slower pace. The staff is way different and there ARE those clicks, but overall everyone works together way more than they do on day shift. People on our NS are also just totally zany and crazy vs. the stern and uptight day shift crowd. Night shift is almost like a party on our unit ....
(and ssssshhh, be quiet, so the day shift bosses don't find out!! :wink2:)
I'm so sorry about your situation, and while I haven't experienced it, I am getting ready to be in your position at my new job, and I've asked alot of the nurse there how they made it through night shift.
Mostly, they all said it took a while to get used to it. Then they said, it was great after the adjustment. I've already got a sleep disorder, so I feel your pain in being weepy and physically out of whack. Some of them absolutely love nights, but still said it took alot of adjustment.
I think if the benefit of working nights outweighs the other options, then try to stick it out, and go with your conscience on the 4AM rounds. Not everyone is going to like you where ever you go. I know you know that, but sometimes it helps to hear it.
I don't remember reading how long you've been on the nights, but I'm going thru the same as far as the nurses in the "clicks". I just posted a thread about it, sort of, if you look for it here you might get some suggestions there too.
So, if you have a list of reasons FOR working nights, and then a list of the negatives of nights, maybe actually writing that out would help you see it in a better light for the long run.
Your assignment is your responsibility. Feel good that your patients are receiving excellent and appropriate care due to your timely assessments. If it turns out this unit/shift really isn't working out for you, I'd talk with your NM. I hope you find your rhythm - night shift can be really rough first starting out.
I'm sorry you're having a hard time adjusting. I start training with a preceptor in January. I'll be starting days and then switching over to nights. I'm worried I'll have to same difficulty with adjusting to a different shift, etc.
I think you're doing everything right. The nurses on your floor are used to doing something a certain way, that doesn't mean that way works for you. Continue doing what you feel is the best for the patient. You're the patients advocate, and it's your responsibility as their RN to make sure they get the best care possible. Which is exactly what you're doing, so don't let everyone make you think otherwise. Hang in there. I hope it gets better for you soon. Time is everything. How long have you been at the night shift so far?
I couldn't disagree more -- there are many shifts in many hospitals available to new grads other than night shift. I know some people who have tried to work night shift and end up getting sick all the time. Some people just physically cannot work night shift and as far as paying dues - in my opionion - working day or evening shift you are paying double dues!
My concern would be, as we have seen in other threads here, quitting your first job especially if this is a new grad orientation position can hinder your ability to get another position. I know in our area there are tons of nursing jobs but its still a very small world in health care and we sure do talk. :)
Just in general I'd advise new grads to stick it out if there is any way possible and of course be really particular about which team you join from the get go.
My concern would be, as we have seen in other threads here, quitting your first job especially if this is a new grad orientation position can hinder your ability to get another position.
I think it depends on where you are in the country. In the area I live there is a shortage of nurses and not difficult to find work no matter how many previous positions a person has had!
I think you ("you" being the person who started this thread) need to listen to your heart. Someone suggested writing down the positives and negatives of your current position. Although I know there are negatives to any job, if the negatives outweigh the positives then you really need to decide if this is right for you. There are many nurses who have left positions because it just was not a good fit. If you decide you really can't adjust to night shift and you like where you are working, can you talk to your nurse manager and see if you can get on a different shift?
I have some excellent, wonderful, joyous news that I wanted to share!
I spoke with my NM and the ANM together yesterday morning. I asked if I could go to days (there was a co-worker who recently left) and they told me yes! I'll begin days in late December. I am so happy.
I've worked the last couple of nights with the older, more seasoned nurses. Wow-- what a difference! They were great to work with. It was refreshing to work with a different crew.
But, I'm still so darn happy about being able to go to days. My hospital is really a great place to work; the patient-staff ratio is safe, management is supportive, etc. I'll be staying in this place for a long while.
Only 5 more weeks of nights. I think I can handle that.
It's great to hear that you are able to change shifts! You sound to be very nice, and willing to go out of your way to get along with others. Great qualities as long as you are around people who are like yourself-and hopefully day shift will be a more accomodating crowd.
I'm precepting and watching the interactions of nurses quite a bit. I see that it's so important to stick to who you are, and not TRY to please others. Respect will come to you as deserved, so be the kind of nurse you aspire to be. For ex., I don't agree with the bringing in food, etc., to people for the sake of having a smoother experience. For the types of groups where you find yourself needing to think like this, trying in ANY way to please will just make things worse. They will see this as weakness, as sad as that is. Just what I'm seeing, for what it's worth.
SoundofMusic
1,016 Posts
Can you go to your overall boss, PCD, master preceptor or whoever is in charge of new hires and tell them what is going on, how you feel? Seems like it was so positive on day shift and yet all these problems on night shift. Maybe they could just transfer you to day shift permanently if you really pressed them.
I personally love night shift for the slower pace. The staff is way different and there ARE those clicks, but overall everyone works together way more than they do on day shift. People on our NS are also just totally zany and crazy vs. the stern and uptight day shift crowd. Night shift is almost like a party on our unit ....
(and ssssshhh, be quiet, so the day shift bosses don't find out!! :wink2:)