Perks and Challenges of Night Shift Nursing

The Advantages of Night Shift Nursing

• Nightshift Nursing Can Pay You More
• Depending on the facility, on the time of year, and on the permanent staffing situation, night shift nursing can pay more. A shift differential, reflected in the hourly rate, is often included for night nurses. Be sure to ask your Recruiter about pay rates for night shifts, they will know where the best-paying positions are to be found.
• Get Your Start At Night
• Let’s say you’re a recent nursing grad, and you really want to get into Critical Care. Management may be more willing to train you on night shifts so they can shore up the staffing level in that unit. And, as a traveler, (no matter what shift you're on) you may be asked to float to another unit. Take the opportunity to build your skills, and maybe move into a specialty you've long had your eye on.
• It Can Be Quieter. Or Not.
• Some units tend to be quieter at night than others. (We know, don’t say the ‘Q’ word.) But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on. Resting patients must be monitored diligently, and the constant telemetry can be repetitive, so you have to keep yourself focused.
• That said, night shift nurses often find they have more time with their patients, and can sometimes perform bedside and charting duties without as many time pressures as on other shifts. In some cases, lab, imaging departments and EKG technicians may actually respond faster on nights.
• Then there are units, like the Emergency Department, that aren’t necessarily quiet at night. Night shift ERs see more serious trauma and fewer routine cases. And certainly some nights are busier than others - New Year’s Eve, for example.
• That Special Night Shift Nursing Bond
• Night shift is a completely different world; one that requires resourcefulness and self-motivation -- since there are fewer supervisors on duty. There is also less contact with patients’ family members and other ‘civilians’. Night shift does provide some peaceful moments, when you can connect with your colleagues, personally and professionally.
• You might even be able to grab a snack at the nurses station or do a quick phone check, without (too much) worry about who’s watching you.
• Night shift nurses have a bit more autonomy, but they also have to rely on each other in a way day or evening shift nurses might not. They’ve got to communicate thoroughly about patient care, not only with each other, but also as they hand off to the next shift. You'll see, that night shift team spirit is powerful.

Challenges of Night Shift Nursing vs Day Shift

• Speaking of Sleepy Time...
• Consider blackout curtains and white noise machines. And for a more traveler-friendly option: sleep masks and earplugs. Keep your bedroom cool, put your phone on vibrate if you're not on call. Another good tip is to wear full coverage sunglasses if you're out in the sun after your shift. Reduced exposure to natural light will help your internal clock stay on the night-shift.
• The Fam ... Staying Connected
• Night shift nursing presents a unique challenge if your family is on a conflicting schedule. And, let's be honest, they probably are. You can make yourself available for check-ins during breaks or send your loved ones 'read this later' texts. See if you can turn some of your home time into quality time - taking advantage of those few hours in the late afternoon or early evening when everybody is up and about. Nurses who know say that afternoon date nights are extremely underrated.
• What if Nights are Just Not for You?
• Night shift nursing is not for everyone. If your lifestyle won’t work with it, or your body just won’t allow it, it’s totally understandable. Day shifts are plentiful and they're are some specialties, like PACU, that are predominantly day shift. Make sure you tell your Recruiter about your shift requirements. We're listening.