Working Nights On Med-Surg

[redraider1977]

What is it normally like on a med-surg floor at night, 7am-7pm.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I think you mean 7p-7a. The same work goes on at night as in the day. Patients may be moving around less, fewer MD's and students on the floor, but the work is the same.

[vanlo001]

7-7:30 report

8-9 gathering meds begin assessing patients.

9-10 round on patients

10-11 patients getting ready for bed.

10-12 round on prs who are usually asleep.

12-2 vs round on pts

2-4 vs round on pts draw labs

4-6round on patients.

6-7 total Is&Os. Gather report finish charting.

Thays a general idea

[jorjaRN]

7p-8p: get there, get report. go in and check on all pts, ask about pain, etc.

8p-10p: gather PM meds (ours are due at 2100), administer meds, get people settled for bed, start assessments, clear IV pumps

11p-1a: charting assessments, 0000 meds, reassess for pain, check vitals

1a-5a: chart checks, read H&P, check Q4 vitals

5a-7a: I&Os, labs, end of shift notes

[NightOwl0624]

Some nights may be nice and peaceful... then other nights...

1. we get lots of admissions at night. Since we are staffed at the census at 2100, we are often short nurses and very busy admitting new patients. It's what I hate most about nights (the staffing, not admitting).

2. Sundowners.

People think nights are easy, but they can be chaotic and unpredictable!

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

7-7:30 report

8-9 gathering meds begin assessing patients.

9-10 round on patients

10-11 patients getting ready for bed.

10-12 round on prs who are usually asleep.

12-2 vs round on pts

2-4 vs round on pts draw labs

4-6round on patients.

6-7 total Is&Os. Gather report finish charting.

Thays a general idea

This is very similar to my experience on nights. Nights also tends to get lots of admissions; days tends to get the discharges.

[fiona1968]

nights=days works

[fiona1968]

This is very similar to my experience on nights. Nights also tends to get lots of admissions; days tends to get the discharges.

i wonder why nights get the admission though we seldom have discharges too

[MntnGirl]

My Surgical night shifts are very similar to what's been posted but I would like to add that a benefit of this shift is that I have more time to focus on individual patients when situations arise; there also seems to be more time to seek input from the other nurses, when needed. I can look up Policy and Procedures and review standing orders without feeling like I have to rush to get to my next task. We also tag-team admissions, one nurse will enter orders, another will do admission history & assessment - this is very helpful. My night shifts are busy but are in no way as hectic as my day shifts. This is my situation......

[Ace587RN, RN]

My Surgical night shifts are very similar to what's been posted but I would like to add that a benefit of this shift is that I have more time to focus on individual patients when situations arise; there also seems to be more time to seek input from the other nurses, when needed. I can look up Policy and Procedures and review standing orders without feeling like I have to rush to get to my next task. We also tag-team admissions, one nurse will enter orders, another will do admission history & assessment - this is very helpful. My night shifts are busy but are in no way as hectic as my day shifts. This is my situation......

im worn out on days, and i hope that i encounter the same when i finally switch to nights. got 5 weeks more before i transfer to nights. and i cant wait

[spongebob6286, BSN, RN]

yeah i wonder why most of the admissions are during the night when you know pt is about to get some rest and sleep

[Miss Kitty00]

Oh the joys of sundowners! LOL