Working nights versus working days

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2006

It's a bit hard to generalize like that. I've worked nights and days. Nights is busy because you have more patients and more duties such as 24-hour chart checks, med sheets, paperwork, blood draws, sundowning patients, etc. But still I think it's more manageable because usually there's not a whole lot of coming and going, no meals, no discharges, not a lot of teaching, those hours in the wee hours of the night things seems to come together. So yes, I would say it rings true.

However, you also have to consider what works best with your body, your family and lifestyle. New grads do well on dayshift as well.

Anagray, BSN · Aug 1, 2006

Hi there!

I have been an RN on a VERY busy med surg floor for over a year and I must say I COMPLETELY disagree that it is good to start off on nights.

During the day there are a lot more resources for a new nurse to fall back on. Yes it is busy, but there are also more people around. I worked nights recently and I believe that a new grad with not much experience will have a really hard time. The greater patient load = more of a possiblity for something to be missed. I have walked in several times at 7 am into a situation where paitents had problems because they were sleeping and certain changes in their condition were overlooked due to a) sleep and b) increased patient load.

when I work nights I am in the room every 30-45 minutes to monitor my patients. Even with such diligence another nurse ( more experienced than myself) ended up losing a patient - he coded and we couldn't get him back. Most of the codes on my floor happen during the night or early morning. If I was a new nurse thrown into a situation with that much complexity, having 10 patients and dealing with admits I really don't know if I would still be a nurse.

This is just my POV, some people do really well starting out on nights.

good luck.

twarlik · Aug 1, 2006

Hi there!
I have been an RN on a VERY busy med surg floor for over a year and I must say I COMPLETELY disagree that it is good to start off on nights.
During the day there are a lot more resources for a new nurse to fall back on. Yes it is busy, but there are also more people around. I worked nights recently and I believe that a new grad with not much experience will have a really hard time. The greater patient load = more of a possiblity for something to be missed. I have walked in several times at 7 am into a situation where paitents had problems because they were sleeping and certain changes in their condition were overlooked due to a) sleep and b) increased patient load.
when I work nights I am in the room every 30-45 minutes to monitor my patients. Even with such diligence another nurse ( more experienced than myself) ended up losing a patient - he coded and we couldn't get him back. Most of the codes on my floor happen during the night or early morning. If I was a new nurse thrown into a situation with that much complexity, having 10 patients and dealing with admits I really don't know if I would still be a nurse.
This is just my POV, some people do really well starting out on nights.
good luck.

I completely agree with this post. At nights as a new grad, you simply don't have the number of resources that you have during the day. You have to be very independent very quickly. This works for some people, but others just can't handle it. Everyone is different, but I really can't agree with your instructors assessment of days vs. nights.

~Todd

Soon-to-be-NurseJess · Aug 2, 2006

I've actually had the pleasure or working on days in orientation for my first twelve weeks as an RN and then on nights in orientation for 6 weeks. Two different hospitals in two different states.

I have to say after my experience, I have enjoyed nights much better. On days, especially if your preceptor gets a normal patient load when they have a new grad with them as mine did (1:6 maybe 7), the preceptor is so busy with meds, calling doctors and social workers and discharge planners etc, getting admissions in, getting discharges out, changing dressings, emptying who-knows what that they don't have as much time to answer questions, to explain things, let you practice in your own time frame, observe activities other professionals on your unit perform to help you understand certain treatments for your patient.

On night shift, you have less family around, fewer doctors around, more time to research whatever you need to...not to say nights can't be hectic, just as hectic as days (yes, more codes do occur on nights) The only terrible downside is possibly a higher pt load if you don't work at my hospital (1:5 every shift on med/surg...HALLELUJIAH).

You do get more 'skills' experience on days if your preceptor has the time to actually follow you and let you learn and practice the skills....but if you come in on nights, ask all the nurses on your shift to let you know if anything interesting comes up that they think you may be interested in seeing or doing and you'll get tons of experience that way. I've gotten just as much experience with skills and assessments and even calling doctors (unfortunately) in my 6 weeks on nights with 1:5 pt load as I did in my 12 weeks on days with 1:6-7 pt load. And I've enjoyed the more calm atmosphere. It does a new nurse good to feel at least a scant amount of peace while at work, dontcha think?

Anyway..good luck with whichever shift you decide on...and if you decide on days I'll keep my fingers crossed for you (only a couple from my class actually got day shifts as new grads...and that was because they already worked at the facility as aides)

youngatheart · Aug 4, 2006

I am also orientating on day shift but will eventually move to night shift 7pm-7am. The day shift is so busy, when I first walk in my phone rings non stop. Doctors coming and going, checking orders, patients going for tests. It is hard to keep up sometimes. My preceptors have also been really busy and it has been difficult to learn alot and get the help I need. Can't wait to go on night shift, It seems a little less hectic and hopefully I can get my best information from other nurses.

LeesieBug · Aug 5, 2006

I am looking forward to trying out my night shift next month just because I find the day shift absolutely MADDENING due to the number of people buzzing around. I find it really hard to focus.

For example, when a code is called on day shift in our little ER, I am NOT kidding when I say that at least 30 people respond. Half the bloody hospital comes running, and you can barely walk through the room to get things done.

I am having a really hard time learning what the heck I am supposed to be doing with all those people crammed in there, plus a crowd waiting at the entrance to the room "in case they are needed". My nurse educator told me she hates to be in on codes during the day, so it is nor just me and my new nurse ignorance. :lol2:

I guess I'll find out which shift I truley prefer after I make the switch. I may be eating my words when I realize that it stinks to have less resources available:uhoh3: .

crb613, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2006

I am still in orientation on days. I am on a busy M/S unit, but my preceptor is great. We have a full pt load...7 is good, mostly 8/9. My 12wks is about up & I will go to nights. I now handle the load myself w/her help if needed. I love the day shift w/all the madness. We have a great team on days, and work so well together........I hope I like nights, but I sure do dread it!