Night shift nursing is becoming more popular as the need for nurses across the world increases. It is especially beneficial for those who work night shifts due to their natural circadian rhythms and need to rest at that time. Nurses who work night shift have fewer responsibilities than those working day shifts, because they aren’t required to handle emergencies and other important situations.
Not only are there multiple benefits associated with Night Shift Nursing, but it also has some disadvantages. However, in this article, we will explore the pros and cons of working as a night shift nurse so that you can make the best decision for your future career path. Keep reading to know more about this challenging but rewarding vocation!
You are at work and exhausted. You are trying to handle three demanding patients and a cranky colleague. Your charting is behind, and you are so exhausted that you can’t keep your eyes open to finish it. However, you would love a cup of hot coffee. Of course, everything is closed, and you would rather drink the instant powder stuff in the break room. Continue to read about Night Shift Nursing!
You start daydreaming about sleeping in once you finish your work. You receive a cranky, tired colleague asking for help with a patient and are immediately interrupted by her. You sigh, face reality, and continue working on what seems like an endless series of assignments.
5 Benefits Of Night Shift Nursing
Get paid more than day shift nursing
There is no denying that pay plays a huge role in this situation. Every hospital and state is a little bit different, but the fact that night shift nurses stay on nights is obviously vital. The more accustomed you become to that extra income, the longer you work on nights. Here is a great piece of advice for you – if you decide to switch days, work some overtime, at least for a little while. Your account will thank you for it.
Get Lots Of Perks for Night Shift Nursing
The perks are unbelievable. They are beyond words. In fact, most of the time, they would make a Holiday Inn continental breakfast look like a Motel 6. Special occasions like baby showers and Christmas, or just simply Wednesday and why not have a potluck, are when the nurses take potluck to the extreme. One nurse brought in a whole roasted pig for an infant shower. Or, we prepared bacon for dinner “breakfast” by cooking three griddles. We definitely did not hear any of the nurses complain about bacon, despite the NPO patients’ complaints.
Very light or no Management Tasks
With no management, you can watch YouTube videos at the nurses’ station instead of doing your online education (which we all hate doing). You can send text messages without being watched without having to worry about who is watching you (which we all hate doing). The best part is that you can snack at the desk! If you are busy and must chart, you may take your big plate of potluck food to the nurse’s station and eat while getting your work done, as well as getting your eating done. With no management, the possibilities are endless! So night shift nursing is fun!
No relatives or family members
Family members! You know what I mean; some of them don’t leave home even when they’re sleeping. It’s more likely that they’re passed out than asking for ice chips or a washcloth or a blanket or an apple juice or something else. Even if you have to sneak up on their sleeper chair to care for the patient, at least they’re quiet.
Night Shift in Nursing Team is Great To Work With
Working with the greatest team ever is tough. It’s not difficult to keep busy on days, but working the night shift is special. There’s something about working nights that turns a regular group of nurses into a hardworking, fun loving, unbreakable team that would do anything for one another. Even when your night was bad, you knew you had a great team to rely on to help you through it. As a result, you might also get 8am beers with them.
What is Night Shift Nursing?
Night shift nursing is a type of shift work, which involves working between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. In this type of work, the body’s circadian rhythm changes, causing people to feel tired and sleepy at the normal time of day. This is why working nights is considered a difficult and tiring job. However, night shift nursing is becoming more popular as the need for nurses across the world increases. It is especially beneficial for those who work night shifts due to their natural circadian rhythms and need to rest at that time. Nurses who work night shift have fewer responsibilities than those working day shifts, because they aren’t required to handle emergencies and other important situations.
Why Should You Work as a Night Shift Nurse?
Night Shift Nursing can be challenging and rewarding. Nurses working at night experience fewer patients, shorter lengths of stay, and different types of illnesses than their daytime counterparts. This can be beneficial for the patient, as there may be a quicker recovery if the patient is seen by a different doctor. Additionally, night shift nurses are less likely to handle emergencies, so it can be less stressful than working during the day.
Can You Work as a Night Shift Nurse?
Night shift nursing is very demanding and should only be attempted by those who are strong and healthy enough to handle the challenges and demands of working at night. There are also health risks associated with night shift nursing, including an increased risk of heart disease, certain types of cancers, and type 2 diabetes. While you can work as a night shift nurse, you should understand that it is a difficult and risky career path for those who aren’t mentally and physically prepared for the changes that occur during night shift work.
Disadvantages of Working as a night shift nurse
There are many advantages associated with Night Shift Nursing, including the fact that many hospitals offer flexible schedules and fewer responsibilities. However, there are also disadvantages to working as a night shift nurse, including a lack of career opportunities, increased risk of certain health problems, and decreased sleep quality.
Conclusion
If you’re anything like me, then you have probably been dreading the start of another work week. The thought of sitting at a computer screen all day or spending your evenings playing with small children may not be something on which you want to dwell. However, there may come a time in your career where you discover that being surrounded by artificial light all day isn’t quite as bad as you had anticipated.
Being a night shift nurse can be hard enough without having to deal with it while also being sleep-deprived. However, if you are willing to make the necessary sacrifices and put in the effort, then this job can be an incredibly rewarding one. Read this article for some more insight into why this might be!
Working as a night shift nurse can be challenging and rewarding, but it can also be dangerous and difficult to do. If you are interested in a career in nursing, this might be an option for you. It is important to understand the challenges and rewards associated with working as a night shift nurse. If you decide to pursue this type of career, you should be prepared to face numerous challenges, and you should also understand that it is a risky and difficult path. As you can see, working as a night shift nurse can be rewarding and rewarding, but at the same time, it can be dangerous and difficult to do.
To make things easier for you, we have prepared this guide for those who are looking for more information about this profession. We hope that after reading this article, you will have a better understanding of working as a night shift nurse and will choose to pursue this career path if it is the right one for you. Whether you’re a new graduate nurse who is dreading starting on the night shift, or a night shift nurse who is considering going to the light side (or dark side), remember that you’re missing out on a few key ingredients to a happy work life.