DeeSuGee83

Nights! In 20+ years, I've worked every shift, every combination of shifts. My body may have liked the night time sleeping part but my mind & soul hated the chaos, the constant noisy drone and the interuptions of patient time and bedside care that hospital/acute care day shift brings. So many people who all want a piece of your patient - and at the same time a piece of your time as well. On nights I provide more comfort, relieve more pain and complete more education while having real patient interactions. I've even given back rubs and held a patients hand. Yes, new Grads can learn alot on nights - theres time to read the charts, look up and learn new stuff. But be aware - there are often less resources to ask questions and getting things "done" for your patient will move much slower than the day time. It's all a trade. Night shifters are a special breed. Try it. You might like it. And if not, it's okay. In nursing, theres a niche for us all.

Ditto to the other replies: Taking a patient - stable or not - who is on a IABP requires specialized training as with any piece of equipment. Much more so do to the complexity and function of the pump. Ask for a class - ask for hands on training and for precepting; pump patients require first class care - go for it!