Night Shift

bagladyrn, RN · Apr 9, 2002

I've worked nights for most of my son's life. Actually got to spend more time with him than I would have working day shift. Most of my work time was during his sleep hours and I slept while he was at school. Usually I was sitting up with my first cup of coffee when he came home, so we had time to discuss his day.

MitziK · Apr 9, 2002

Mother of 3 (two in elementary, one freshman in high school) while attending LVN program, then started out on night shift. During both had and still have loads of support from hubby. As bagladyrn said I slept while they were in school. If they had a school event I was able to go without worrying about scheduling time off, same for dr., dentist appts and if they were ill.

As for the experience while going to school, mine was mon-fri 8hrs give or take, except for 3-11 clinicals and it wasn't any diff than me working which they were already used to.

mother/babyRN, RN · Apr 9, 2002

I have 4 children, one in college and then 3 under the age of 4...I know, I know, what was I thinking??? ( I wasn't thinking) :)..

I used to work evenings but ended up on the night shift because it does fit in better with the family....As a light sleeper, it can be difficult, but thank fully, my husband helps out with everything. Nights can be difficult of course, but you will often find the night shift people are more cohesive because they have to work together in situations that might not happen or be as critical (since other shifts have more people) as on other shifts....They are usually closer in some ways...I know with us, we work together so well, often without talking, because we ARE the maternity unit. We don't have residents or attendings there on a regular basis , and pretty much, unless we are doing a csec or the child is crowning, we nurses are the ones there....Both other shifts are fine, but they have the advantage of more help in house in all areas, including lab and any other department you may have to access. I think my body hates nights but it does work out for my family, and I have learned the most ( and that is in reference to every department I have ever worked), while working the night shift...It is also kind of scary for the same reason...All you have is each other! Great shift when you have little ones, although they don't always understand why mommy has to go lay down...With my now 4 year old, I would come home and stay up all day with her while my husband worked...Thankfully, he has retired and now has the tougher job of house dad...I at least, get to play with my friends! :)

JenniferNRN · May 9, 2002

I was in school while I had 2 kids under the age of 5 at home and adopted a newborn while I was in third semester of ADN courses. It was not easy to say the least, but not impossible either. I was able to stay home with the kids and not work, which was probably what made it possible for me. A very supportive husband was also the key. I stayed up late, studying well after their bedtimes and often went on little sleep because I still had to get up with them in the morning.

Yes, sometimes I felt guilty, like when I'd have to pass on family outings to study, or when I had to turn down reading "Green Eggs and Ham" for the 3rd time, but now that I'm done and am reaping the benefits, it doesn't seem like it was so bad.

There is a lot of sacrifice and you may go many nights without enough sleep, but if it's what you really want, you will find a balance between school and family and you won't feel as if you "missed out" on too much of your children's lives. Good luck!

L&D.RN · May 11, 2002

You're right, most of the openings are nights. I work nights and my husband is in the military and gone A LOT. This is the only way that I could do it. My 14 year old babysits my 7 & 9 year olds.(they're all sleeping), and I get home before they get up for school. I sleep while they are at school, then I'm with them from the time they get home until 8PM bedtime when I catch a quick nap before going in at 11PM. I see way more of them now than when I oriented on days.

I went to school when my youngest was in 3. During the 3 years I was in school, I only missed a couple of their school functions. It's definitely doable, but I also didn't have to work.

You know what's neat, the kids were so proud of me for going back to school. Now they're proud that I'm a nurse. When my 7 year old didn't agree with something his teacher told him, he said "My mom's a nurse, and she knows everything." The teacher got a good laugh out of that one!

Best of luck...you can do it! LB

SmilingBluEyes · May 13, 2002

LylaB., your story could be MINE. My dh is military and til he retires in 4 years, I am subjugating my career to his (it ain't easy) which means, I work perdiem, nights, the "yucky"shifts. But the upside, is get to do my LOVE, OB nursing, on MY terms, and this is a fair tradeoff. I am mostly SAHM to two kids, 10 and 3. I am fortunate. I love both "jobs", even tho military life can be rough at times. (I did a 10 year stint in the Air Force myself).....

shelbyL&Drn · May 13, 2002

During my years of nursing I have worked all the shifts. And I thought I would never go back to a night shift.

I went on a temp. basis while my director looked for a replacement charge nurse. As I was filling in I really enjoyed working the 6p-6a shift. I see my children more now than when I did working the day shift. I only work 3 sometimes 4 days a week, as opposed to 5 days/ 8-10 hours a day before.

The night shift is so laid back. We don't have to worry about those "upper crustations" as I like to call upper management people. Granted at times we are so busy we don't have time to sit, but that is the life of an OB nurse.

LilgirlRN, ADN, RN · May 13, 2002

Hiya Shelby from a fellow Alabamian :) I've always worked nights 15 years worth, wouldnt have it any other way!

MelissaCT · May 16, 2002

I don't have kids or anything, but my first job will be nights.

Two 8's and two 12's.

joyrochelle · May 25, 2002

same here, but only 12's.....

should be interesting...i just keep thinking to myself " a three day work week!!!"

live4today, RN · May 25, 2002

Originally posted by jhrn
THank you to those of you that offered advice about my career goal (being too specific). I want to be a wonderful OB nurse (L&D, PP) so I know now I need to open my options-thank you!
My new question is --Was your first job a night shift job? I am a mother of two (1yr and 2yr old), I plan on going to work when they enter school adn would like to work during the day, but it has occured to me that most job openings are probably for the night shift? True? My next question--how many of you were already mommies when you went to school and what wast that experience like? THis would be a second career for me and I am wondering if I would miss out on a lot of my little ones lives by going back to school..
THank you!!!!!Jen

My first job out of college was on nights (11p - 7a). My husband STRONGLY encouraged me to work nights since he would be at home with our three children while I worked. They were 10, 13, and 16 at the time. Little did I know that he had alterior motives for having me work nights. It gave him an opportunity to sneak out of the house after the children were asleep (or so he thought) and go spend those five nights a week with his mistress who lived only ten minutes or less away. Needless to say, I quit when I found out what he was doing, filed for divorce, and became a traveling nurse. That worked well for me, as did working through local agencies because they gave me complete control over my life as a new single mom with three kids to raise.

I went to college after the kids were in school all day, so was able to be home when they left for school, and home when they returned from school. I wouldn't have attempted going to college full time with babies, but that's just my situation. You do what works best for you and your family. :)

I didn't miss out on anything except 'me' during my college days. The hubby, the kids, and everyone else seemed to have more of me than I had left for myself. So, today who do you think I pamper the most? Yepper! :)

Whatever you do, no matter how you plan to do it, just remember one very important lesson: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF IN THE PROCESS. DON'T GET SO BLINDSIGHTED THAT YOU FORGET TO NURTURE YOUR OWN PERSON. Much success and prayers to you as you embark on this path in your life. :)