3rd shift clinical...Will i get enough experience?

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I got the luck of the draw when i registered for classes this fall. The only clinical spot open was 7:00pm-7:30am. So I'm wondering if I will get the same experience as day shifters??? And also is there any advice anyone can give me about what to expect during my preceptorship???

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I did my preceptorship on nights and loved it. It is true things are a little different on nights. You will probably get fewer admissions on average than if you on dayshift. You'll also see the docs a little less (on the floor, the other services if in ICU) and fewer bedside procedures. However this isn't always a disadvantage. While there were fewer procedure on nights, I was allowed to assist with bedside procedures far more often than those on dayshift. I still inserted foleys, started IVs, put in NG tubes and all the other tasks we do on a daily basis. Also, my preceptor, due to the less hectic nature of nights, also had more 1 on 1 time with me. The final benefit, and the one that has me working all nights now, is that I have more time with my to spend actually with my patient as opposed to running around (usually sorting out miscommunications between our MDs and other services). Good luck, and I hope you enjoy it!

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

I would think you'd actually get MORE hands-on experience, b/c you won't have your patient gone to Radiology for testing, families visiting, doctors rounding, etc. Nights tend to have fewer CNAs/techs working, too, so you'll do more of the vitals, code browns, etc., as well.

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Specializes in Tele.
I got the luck of the draw when i registered for classes this fall. The only clinical spot open was 7:00pm-7:30am. So I'm wondering if I will get the same experience as day shifters??? And also is there any advice anyone can give me about what to expect during my preceptorship???

Gosh, we don't even have a night shift clinical possible. I'm heading into OB/Peds rotation and we either had the choice of Monday 7am-1pm or Friday same times; that's it. Perhaps because we're a smaller school..Last semester though, level 2 students (what the OB/Peds is called) had the 3-9p option. I would have loved that honestly.

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I know i thought we had enough day shift spots but i guess they added some to our class.

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:cheers:Thats great. I'm feeling better about doing a night shift clinical now especially since i will get more hands on experience with my skills. Because there is a lot i haven't done before or have done once or twice.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Supervisory, HEDIS, IT.

I wish we had night clinicals....

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I did my transition to practice overnight and loved it! Tons of experience!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

There are fewer resources at night and the staff take care of each other. Chances are you will learn an awful lot

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Some of my classmates had night clinicals for their preceptorship and they loved it...they got a lot of hands-on experience!

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You're so lucky! I wish my school had night clinicals. I'm not a 'morning person'.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Can I just say this as a 30+ year night shift nurse? All the cool people work nights - you're gonna love it. :)

PLUS: I just finished my MSN thesis on how night shift nurses adapt to circadian disruption.

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