Working nights-maybe!

Katie5 · Apr 14, 2011

Lots of coffee and keeping busy. Strongwill works up to a point.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2011

I prefer working nights. People have this misconception that nights are slow. Not true. Nights are often busy too...just different from days. The nice thing is that family members are gone and you have a little more time to spend with your patients. I don't drink coffee, and I have no problem staying awake or keeping busy. It will depend on you, and your unit.

BroomQueen · Apr 15, 2011

I prefer working nights. People have this misconception that nights are slow. Not true. Nights are often busy too...just different from days. The nice thing is that family members are gone and you have a little more time to spend with your patients. I don't drink coffee, and I have no problem staying awake or keeping busy. It will depend on you, and your unit.

I agree, I worked night shift for 12 yrs as a cna and I've been a nurse for 6 months and stayed on 11-7. I have an 8 yr old and it's always been the best shift. I work when he's home asleep and I sleep while he's at school. It was a little more draining when he was a todler as I didn't want him in day care so I pushed through till vouluntary pre-k was available. You're body will get used to it and so will you, probably to the point to where on your nights off you wont sleep much 'cuz you're used to staying awake, that's my problem anyways. Nights are not boring, they're very busy because everyone else in the facility things all you do is sit on your you know what so they pile up job after job on you, trust me you won't have a problem staying awake you'll have plenty of work to do. Good luck, all you can do is try it out and see how you like it, just give it a little bit you're body will need to adjust to a complete time change :)

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2011

So true about piling on the work. The other night my supervisor left extra things to do, on top of the other gazillion things we have to do.

My night goes like this;

1930-2140: med pass for 30 residents

2145: Clean and stock med room.

2200: Reports from NAs

2300: Report to oncoming NA

2320- 0200: Charts, orders, schedule, answer bells

0200-0330; Turn and change residents

O330- O500: MDS computer work

O515-O650: wash residents

O700-0720: Narc count and report

And that's provided no one gets sick. Then the plan goes to hell.

thekidisback · Apr 15, 2011

i plan to work night shift too when i finish RN school :) but on a med-surg/tele unit. i'm sure i'll be able to stay awake since tele patients have q4 vitals anyway lol.

ddunnrn · Apr 15, 2011

My mother and I both are/were night shift nurses, and we both coped by keeping a night schedule 24/7. Of course we eventually couldn't see our reflections in mirrors, and became allergic to garlic, but I digress.

The one thing I learned from my mother was, STAY AWAY FROM STIMULANTS. She started up on "diet pills" way back in the day, and it really took a toll on her health, but in those days it was very common for the night shifters to use speed to stay awake.

Otherwise, try to find the perks in working late. like being able to get your errands done on the way home from work, being able to go to kids' games, concerts, etc. more often.

86toronado, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2011

I :redpinkhe nights! You get paid more (where I am it ends up being about $10,000/year more) you don't deal with families or administrators, and you get to do all of your errands when everyone else is at work! Seriously, what is not to love? Sure, it takes some getting used to, but in the long run it's been the best fit for me. Some things I've learned are:

-Don't try to do things when you get home. You may be tempted to check email, pay bills, etc. but it's better just to go to bed.

-Work out right before you go to work.

-Eat your meals as though you are on a "regular" schedule. I have something small when I first get up, eat a lunch and then dinner at work, with a little protein around 5am to keep me going. When I get home I resist the urge to eat a meal right before bed even though I'm usually starving.

-If you need caffeine, drink it early in your shift. Avoid caffeine after 3am, and fluids after 6am. Otherwise you will be up to the bathroom, and then tempted to stay up because the sun is out.

Seriously, if you have kids (I don't but I have seen how it can work) nights is the best shift for you. You will tuck your children into bed, and then head to work. When you get home, they will be getting on the school bus. You sleep until they get home, and then have the afternoon/evening with them. If you worked days you would make less money, and be rushing home to meet the school bus. If you worked evenings you wouldn't see them at all.

I think you're making the right choice, best of luck to you!