[Anonymous]

I am going to be working the nightshift 11-7am and I am a new grad what kind of things can I expect? I will be working on a med/surg floor. I am nervous. Any encouragement and input would be helpful thanks!

[mercynurse]

I've worked nights for about 3/4 of my career. The staff tends to work well together.
Less hassle with visitors, adm, and taking patients to various depts-xray, lab, etc. And no meals to feed people!!

There are less poeple to rely on as resources. Find youself someone who is dependable, knowledgable and don't be afraid to ask someone if you're aren't sure about a patient's condition.

[Mary77]

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I am going to be working the nightshift 11-7am and I am a new grad what kind of things can I expect? I will be working on a med/surg floor. I am nervous. Any encouragement and input would be helpful thanks!

I am also thinking of working nights and I am exactly in your shoes...only 2 years later! lol ... I am hoping that it will be less hectic, more time to talk to my preceptor and in general to take things at a slower pace... From what I have read so far on the forums it does seem that the night shift is quieter than day...some challenges may be adjusting yourself to working nights and not falling asleep!

[LTC LPN 2006]

I am a new LPN and I've been working 3rd shift in a nursing home for 2 months now. I started it hoping that it would be an easier shift to start out on as I start my career as a nurse. I've found it to be very hectic because I'm responsible for twice the residents that the day shift nurse is and I have a lot less CNAs. It does have the advantage of not having visitors, phone calls, doctors, administrators, bosses, etc. My facility seems to have added many extra tasks to the night shift and I don't have any extra time at night and usually end up staying at least an hour after my shift ends just to get everything completed and my charting done.

Adjusting to 3rd shift life has been very hard and when I have only one day off during the week my "day off" is the middle of the night and I usually end up sleeping during it. Its been frustrating because I have some days I can't sleep, other days I nearly sleep from the time I get home til I get up to get ready for work. I thought it would offer flexibility but it is really interfering with me getting anything accomplished at home.

I don't regret starting on this shift, but I'm finding it has had negative consequenses to many parts of my life and now that I'm on this shift I'm having difficulties getting my work to switch me to day shift because they cannot find another full time night nurse.

Good luck!