Oh, you quirky night shifter you!

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Nov 21, 2015

Nights are awesome. You feel like you get to sleep in most of the day, night shift is less work for more pay, don't have to deal with rude doctors and there is TONS more teamwork among the staff. I was made for the night shift.

So TRUE. In school I was always so tired and I would nap for so long in the afternoons. I've been on nights for three years and I'm never going back!!

odaat · Nov 21, 2015

Another night owl here...did 3 years of straight nights which I loved but am currently working dialysis, which means waking up at 0330, work at 0500, bedtime at 1900....it's pretty much the day-est of day shift ever ugh!

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Nov 21, 2015

Yep, even in college before I ever worked nights, that was me! Grocery shopping at night is the best! No one is there! And in this area, most of the big grocery stores are 24/7.

outside_child · Nov 22, 2015

Was a night person since high school. Love night shift because it is more laid back and you can think. No administrators, less family around, patients and charts where you can find them. Also more money. You have time to take care of some personal business during business hours without missing work, less traffic, and once again more money. LOL

WoosahRN, MSN, RN · Nov 22, 2015

I just attempted a rotating schedule at a new job. 8 years of nights but just got married and figured it would be nice on the day shifts to have a "regular" routine with hubby. I hated it. It's a teaching and research hospital too. So rounds were a big to do. I had to field researchers trying to find study subjects, family drama, and packs of consults. I swear I was exhausted seeing how much activity there is for the patients and their families during the day. I felt like only about 40% of what I was doing was actual patient care. And I live an hour away from work so I wasn't getting home until 2100. I felt more rushed on days and got less sleep. I had to get up at 0430 and was head bobbing until about 1000. On nights I am in bed within 30 min of being home and I sleep great. Get 6.5 hours and have time to relax before getting ready for work. And I just didn't fit in with day shift. I was giving report to someone when I was on a day shift and it came out that I was normally a night shifter. She goes "ooooh, that makes more sense" (meant as a compliment)." ðŸ˜‰

I finally switched back to full nights when I had just started a night rotation and I was already dreading days that were 6 weeks away. I only made it through three day shift rotations. Mentally so much happier on nights. It's my home and it literally did a sigh of relief knowing I got to "go back home."

I don't sleep as well on my days off. I think because I sleep better alone (sorry husband!) and I just feel goofy. Maybe being off a schedule. I work a kind of week on, week off and as the week off goes on, I stay up later and later and sleep in later as a result (this messing up any kind of night sleep schedule).

So happy to know there are other true night shift lovers.

dannibeeRN · Nov 22, 2015

So happy to know there are other true night shift lovers.

This is so true! I just recently landed an awesome position on a progressive care unit (whoop whoop!) from 1900-0730. For orientation, I had to work two day shifts (today was my second day) and six night shifts. I forgot how much I despise waking up at 0430! I mean, who does that? Lol. The day shift staff at my new job is awesome and I will probably stay over for them when they need help but I CANNOT work during the day for an extended amount of time.

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Nov 22, 2015

WoosahRN,

I made that same mistake when I got married in 2007. I thought it would be nice to have the same schedule as my husband. You lasted longer on day shift than I did, though. I only made it 1 month!

I also sleep better alone when my husband is at work. I love having the queen size bed to myself although there's usually a cat sleeping on my hip. My husband says he sleeps better alone at night, too, so it all works out great for us.

Davey Do · Nov 22, 2015

I just came back from getting groceries and I got to the store at 2300. I put my wireless earbuds in my ears, turned on my tunes and danced my way through the aisles.

I can see it now- "Wal-Mart-The Musical"

pinkiepie_RN · Nov 23, 2015

I have a problem with shifting my sleep schedule. Often I'm just off a day between shifts and it's almost not worth it to convert back to a day schedule. I slept from 0900-1200 on Saturday, did things during the day, went to bed at 2200 and then woke up at 0430 this morning. NOT what I had been planning. I usually try to sleep in and stay up late when I have the time between shifts.

dannibeeRN · Nov 23, 2015

I can see it now- "Wal-Mart-The Musical"

Yes, this was definitely me! Although next time I'll have to wear dark sunglasses to complete my outfit lol.

dannibeeRN · Nov 23, 2015

I have a problem with shifting my sleep schedule. Often I'm just off a day between shifts and it's almost not worth it to convert back to a day schedule. I slept from 0900-1200 on Saturday, did things during the day, went to bed at 2200 and then woke up at 0430 this morning. NOT what I had been planning. I usually try to sleep in and stay up late when I have the time between shifts.

Yeah, it's difficult when you only have one day off between shifts. Do you work 8's?

nightwingcreations, CNA, LPN · Feb 15, 2016

The sun makes me sleepy. Of course I've worked nights exclusively for the last 15 years and off and on before that. I definitely will never be a morning person! :)