working nights as opposed to working days

prudence09 · Jul 14, 2009

I work nights and I love it except for what I explained in a previous post. I worked days for three weeks and it was hard and I was just learning the ropes of the floor. It was just so caotic. The only thing about working nights is that there is no doctors around and that means you usually have to call them at home. Some of them don't like that to much but it's their job. It's so much more laid back at nights and you do have more time. You just need to make the right decision for you and your family.

tolerantgirl · Jul 14, 2009

I think this would be the best decision for me and my family. I can never get out of work on time. I seem to have a pattern of leaving at 9pm all the time. I just feel like I really struggle to keep up with all the doctors and orders, and then on my days off at home I am miserable because I worry that I missed something, during days I don't have time to look through the chart and learn the patient's history. Time management takes time to learn and I think nights would give me the opportunity to do that.

86toronado, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2009

I think you'll find a much better environment on nights. I'm a new nurse, and could not imagine working day shift full time... I have to orient there, because everyone does, but I just can't see myself keeping up with all the craziness that goes on: MD's changing orders, checking lab results,scheduling tests, more order changes, patients suddenly discharged, plus fielding phone calls from family and consults, all while trying to get my assessments done and meds out on time? No thank you. I think I will need a few years on night shift, where I have time to catch up on orders, know a little bit about my patient's history, do a complete assessment, etc before I'm ready for that... scratch that, I'll never be ready for days, I'm just not a morning person! :yawn:

DAMomma · Jul 15, 2009

I think you'll find a much better environment on nights. I'm a new nurse, and could not imagine working day shift full time... I have to orient there, because everyone does, but I just can't see myself keeping up with all the craziness that goes on: MD's changing orders, checking lab results,scheduling tests, more order changes, patients suddenly discharged, plus fielding phone calls from family and consults, all while trying to get my assessments done and meds out on time? No thank you. I think I will need a few years on night shift, where I have time to catch up on orders, know a little bit about my patient's history, do a complete assessment, etc before I'm ready for that... scratch that, I'll never be ready for days, I'm just not a morning person!

My thoughts EXACTLY!!! I got less done while I was in orientation on days. Up by 5AM, out the door by 6, on the job by 7 needing to be fully alert, staying hopefully till 3-4PM, home by 5, dinner is not done, trying to get household stuff done so I can try to be in bed by 9PM. No thank you, days will not work for our family. Not to mention it was a rat race on days.....too many people everywhere! :bugeyes:

nursenewbe · Oct 28, 2009

I think you'll find a much better environment on nights. I'm a new nurse, and could not imagine working day shift full time... I have to orient there, because everyone does, but I just can't see myself keeping up with all the craziness that goes on: MD's changing orders, checking lab results,scheduling tests, more order changes, patients suddenly discharged, plus fielding phone calls from family and consults, all while trying to get my assessments done and meds out on time? No thank you. I think I will need a few years on night shift, where I have time to catch up on orders, know a little bit about my patient's history, do a complete assessment, etc before I'm ready for that... scratch that, I'll never be ready for days, I'm just not a morning person!

I agree with you, I love the atmosphere of nights. As a new nurse, that is exactly why I started on nights. I plan to be here a couple of years.

erin01 · Oct 28, 2009

I never thought i would say this.......BUT I LOVVVVVE NIGHTS=) And it sounds like just what you need, i am on a fast paced tele unit. I would imagine just as busy as an icu. I bet you do great at night. I have never been a night person, always needed tons of sleep. But i got to tell you with having a son who is 2, i feel like i see him all the time! And its so much more time to look stuff up, your not as rushed as during the day. I am not saying i dont have crazy nights but there are many times where i really get to sit and learn. try it i bet you do great! gl

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 6, 2009

In my ICU, I feel better on days. The days does get more visitors, doctors, procedures, etc. But nights gets more patient agitation(some go really wild at night) and more admissions. Day shift empties the beds and nights fills them up.

caliotter3 · Nov 6, 2009

I worked night shift while in school, then started out on night shift after school. It is the shift to learn things at a slower pace. You can make time during the day for something else if you force yourself. You can attend school or tend to your family or work another part (or full) time job. But, the night shift will take it's toll if you are not healthy and take positive steps to take care of yourself. There are some people who find that they can never adapt. You do what you have to do, but sometimes pay the price.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2009

Definitely give nights a shot. I work them now and there is far less nutsiness.

DAMomma · Nov 6, 2009

I agree working nights can take a toll on your health. After I get off from work, I am religious about running to the gym (2-3 times/week) to get my cardio kickboxing and weight training in. I also try to watch what I eat. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life. It workes out for me. I work part-time. My son is in school all day and my daughter is in preschool for half the day. While she is at school I work out THEN I come home and take a nap with her till hubby comes home from work. He will usually pick my son up from school.

D

Kevin RN08 · Nov 7, 2009

My experience as an Extern working nights v. as a Carepartner during the day was that days had too much drama between families, physicians, appointments there were too many distractions to set a routine. Whereas on nights it was still busy, but you were able to focus on the patients not the drama/distractions, it also allows you to learn your practice, identify and correct your weaknesses. I also worked a 3pm-3am shift that seemed to be the best of both worlds.

My plan is to orient on both days and nights, then start out on nights to learn to work on my own then do stints on days to monitor my progress in time management.