Nights vs/ Days?

Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2008

Really, i think that you almost break even. For example, there are less meds and the pt's sleep, BUT there is also less or no ancillary staff (think of all of the other departments on days.) Less to do with each patient, but typically more patients.

I like night shift... it is quieter, no visitors, no phones and no docs. Where I work, there is a $2 afternoon and $3 night shift differential. I don't like night shift when I have to call pharmacy in for meds we dont have in the mckesson, or when I have to wake up Dr. so and so for the hundredth time about a patient.

Think it depends on what kind of person you are too. Night owl or Early bird?? Do you have children or a significant other?? If so, will they be understanding and let you sleep?

Maybe you could ask some of the gals that work at your clinical site what the differences are between the shifts??

Good luck with NCLEX and I hope you find the shift that works the best for you!

meadow85 · Sep 22, 2008

For me, pros would be that the station is less busy with interdisciplinary staff, the patients are sleeping (for the most part), just meds or dressings no baths and ambulating patients.

Cons would be that it can be crazy busy when others go on break, if someone goes sour there is less help readily available, no MDs around for small orders (like sleeping pills) and #1 for me is that it messes up your sleeping schedule. It is really unhealthy. Sleeping during the day and awake during the night and sometimes eating dinner at midnight. Plus on your day off your catching up on sleep so thats one day thats wasted

I think its a trade off, during the day its busier for the most part but you get to go home and sleep. On nights its less busy for the most part but your internal clock is warped.

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2008

I have worked nights and now I am fortunate to be working days.

Nights Pros:

1. Better pay (night shift differential)

2. Time to spend with patients and not be interrupted; however, sometimes one is interrupted especially if a patient on your floor codes.

3. Not having to get up early for work, a plus if you like to sleep in.

4. Not feeling that you've been left alone. Night nurses tend to be more team players than days in general, not necessarily the rule.

5. Being there for your kids most days of the week. Tired yes, but still around to kiss them goodbye for school and hug them when they return.

6. The supervisor is not around to see your work habits; so whatever anyone on nights says, be it negative, the supervisor has no direct observation to compare it by.

Days Pros:

1. Being well rested on your day off and not having to make up for sleep deprivation having worked the night before.

2. Doctors are more available for simple requests that otherwise would be troublesome to get an order for: ducolax supp for constipation, change of diet order etc.

3. Faster paced: sometimes you are too busy to be concerned with what time it is.

4. More experienced staff are usually working days, so you have a great resourse: patient problem-- what to do, what to do???

Nights Cons:

1. Being sleepy and moody.

2. A recent study found that night shift workers are more pron to cancer related diseases.

3. Very sleepy at 0400 during your shift.

4. MDs not available and being scared to call that mean doc at 3 am. to request a blood pressure med.

5. Not being aloud to sleep during the shift.

6. Being taken for granted by the day shift. And day shift may assume that you are not as diligent as day shift: lazier.

7. Day shift gets the free meals, the drawings for prizes, the acknowledgement from supervisors. Night shift is forgotten generally.

8. Not having ancillary staff around. One aid for 15 patients, lack of a unit secretary....grrrr!

9. Feeling like you're a vampire when you find yourself eating cold pizza and awake at 0200 on your day off!

Days Cons:

1. It's too busy. And I'm constantly interrupted. Not having enough time to get back to charting.

2. Demanding family members who won't allow you to leave their family member's bedside.

3. Having to get there early in the morning.