night shifts....

akvarmit · Jan 12, 2004

I also appreciated everyone's input! I just started doing steady nights, 7p-7a, three shifts per week. (If it weren't for the benefit of 3 shifts = full time, I'm not sure I'd do it)

I've also always been a night person. I did a desk job for years before this and it drove me nuts! My hubby has a low tolerance for sleeping alone, but 3x a week he can handle. I am noticing I have to be very clear about my "boundaries" after working. Especially inlaws who dont understand why I can't get up after 3 hrs of sleep for a picnic even though I'm also on call for any call offs that day too! (Practice - "really, thank you, but I CANT")

But I do notice the havoc it has played with my diet! I'm trying to resist the urge to eat constantly at work - I often feel like "this" might be the last chance I get till all chaos breaks loose........and if not, I find my hand in the chip bag again! So, trying to work on some serious resolutions this Jan.

TraumaQueen · Jan 12, 2004

Originally posted by Agnus
REALLY:rolleyes: I have worked both shifts and my experience was the opposit where personalites were concerned. You are generalizing and it is never a safe thing to do.

Actually, I was -NOT- generalizing, I was telling what it's like where -I- work.

Don't be so sensitive, it's not all that safe of a thing to do either.

Eyerolls backatcha.

PEACE1 · Jan 12, 2004

I THINK WORKING NIGTHS IS OK, I BEEN DOING IT FOR 9 YEARS AND I HAVE A 12,13 YEAR OLD AND A 19 MONTH OLD. I ALSO ATTEND SCHOOL FULL TIME AND WORK 3 -4 12 HOURS NIGTH SHIFT, BUT WHEN I GET TO BE AROUND 40 OR FINISH SCHOOL I PLAN TO GO DAYS MAYBE. TRY IT

shiftmaker · Jan 16, 2004

I have been in nursing for over 25 years and have worked all shifts. Nights are my love. When my children were tots(1-5) I worked 16hr shifts to be able to be home with them more and we were able to set up a routine that worked.

While they were in day care or school, I slept, when they were home I had my eyes open.

It worked well for us and gave me the time to be there each morning to see them off to school and most afternoons be at home.

If you want to really find out if it can be done, talk alot with your husband and children on the changes as they occur.

Good luck

nurse110 · Jan 16, 2004

Night shift is the best. I have been running nightshift for 8yrs, I love it. No bosses or other big wigs around, I do the scheduling for my crew and alot of other stuff. Believe me I stay busy every night, its not a sit down job. Too much going on most nights. I wouldn't trade it for any other shift.

yannadey, LPN · Jan 16, 2004

It's hard working the night shift you have to have 100% support of your family especially the spouse/significant other. If your kids are in school & your hubby works during the day you will be able to sleep without interuption. I have worked all shifts but I love night shift (2yrs straight). No family or managers to deal with & the staff really work as a team.

athomas91 · Jan 16, 2004

niteshift is great....i have done them my entire nursing career...they are great because of the people you work w/ more than the actual hours...there is an entirely different mentality and from my experience niteshift personel function more as a family

HOWEVER....the niteshift hours is hard on your body - eventually you will find it impossible to sleep at nite on the nites you have off....this leaves you sluggish and non motivated on your days off....i just recently stopped working for my FT grad school requirements....and i must tell you - it is quite welcome to function again on a normal daily basis.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2004

I love nights. You get to see all the wierder stuff. I love it.

Besides the great secret to nights is that, when you get off in the morning you can head straight to the golf course and play and relax. Cant work all day and go golfing late at night. But then again yes I also have golfed at night and I love it.

athomas91 · Jan 16, 2004

we all like to go out for breakfast...have a beer or two....people look at us like we are freaks...hey - that is our nitetime.....

j9rn · Jan 20, 2004

I have worked all three shifts on all three floors in my LTC facility. Originally did nights because of the expense of a baby-sitter for 3 kids. But do agree, the night shift is the most laid-back and cooperative. We work well together, and you never hear "That's not my resident, I can't answer her light" from a night shifter. Ya also get less nit-picking like we hear especially from the day shift. But if they can't get their work done, pass it to nights they don't do anything. hahahaha We have picked up the Accu-checks, SVN tx's and quite a few 6 am meds, even though we are supposed to go home at 0612. And day shift has 2 to 3 times more CNA's and nurses available. Gee, what is wrong with this picture?

Irwin0111 · Jan 29, 2004

:rolleyes: I had it for 5 months straight, I went complaining because I am not allowed to extend hours for an overtime pay in AM.Not applicable to anybody in the night shift.

I enjoy better now as the one in PM. I am paid more than others because of going straight until AM.

ImaStork · Jan 29, 2004

In my 25 year nursing career I have worked 21 of them either 11p to 7a or 7p to 7a as I am now doing. I feel working nights has made me a stronger nurse. More sure of myself. In labor and delivery I had to depend on my assesssment skills and hone my ability to convey information to sleepy doctors so that they would respond in the manner I needed them to. I like to think I am a very assertive nurse without being agressive.

I also enjoyed the dinners we would have in the small hospital I worked the entire night shift, all depts would pitch in.