Nursing can be a hectic job. There are numerous tasks that you need to complete, and looking after patients can take a toll on your health. However, there is a significant difference in duties from working a day-shift nurse than a night-shift one. While performing the night shift may sound tiring, additional perks are waiting for you. The healthcare sector knows and understands the stamina it takes to work the night shift. You’re adjusting your schedule to fit your duties, which includes giving up sleep at a time the human body is conditioned to do so. Hence, instead of subsiding the notion, consider opting for working the night shift, and here’s why:
1. You get a brilliant team
Working regular night shifts will get you a team that is immensely dedicated to their duties. Since you’ll be pulling through the night with these professionals, you also form a bond with them. They understand the stamina and toll it takes to manage the night shift. So not only will they help you take care of patients better, they’ll help you manage all relevant paperwork. You may also find lifelong friends simply because you worked the night shift. Finding people who connect with you is a good idea. Your mental health will stay on a constant trajectory when you have people sharing your stress.
If you want to go for a specialization, use your free time during the night wisely and consider enrolling in online post master’s certificate nurse practitioner programs or get an MSN in nursing education to advance your career.
2. Easier to manage your studies
Here’s a simple fact; you get more free time in the night shift than working in the day. Why? Because patients are generally asleep. So you get a chance to take a glance at furthering your education. If you want to go for a specialization, use your free time during the night wisely and consider enrolling in online post master’s certificate nurse practitioner programs to advance your career. Specialization is a good idea since it opens more opportunities for you. The good part is that there are fewer patients, and you can calmly examine a patient as you work to earn your degree. You also get breaks in between, so ensure you use the time to study.
3. You can have potlucks
You will need nourishment as you work the night shift. While the cafeteria is open, you can also cook your food. Hospitals will not stop you from bringing your food. That means, along with your nurse friends, you can have potlucks and enjoy home-cooked meals. The cafeteria will also let you use their equipment so you can always whip up a quick meal. While working, it is comforting to have good food. So you can enjoy a proper meal with your friends as you work the night shift. Having potlucks doesn’t mean you’re disregarding a hospital’s standard of care. There is nothing wrong with bringing your food as long as you clean up after yourself.
4. Fewer families
Unless it’s a significant emergency or you’re pulling a shift in the ER, you’ll have a relaxed schedule. The patients you get may be a handful of families or patients who need limited monitoring. There is also less hustle-bustle, so you can rest in between and don’t have to be on your feet all the time. Your tasks may include simple follow-ups and ensuring patients are comfortable throughout the night. You’ll assist patients with simple needs, such as providing a blanket or fluids when they call for help. On the other hand, the day shift has many more patients, including families, which can be quite a handful.
5 .Relaxed management
The managers during night shifts are much more relaxed. Since the workload is light and only needs your attention briefly. That means if you want to sit and relax, you can. You can also talk to your family or take naps in between work. Sometimes the extent of your work may include filing patient charts and monitoring them through the night. The management only kicks into high gear if there is an emergency and when it’s time for the morning staff to take over. You also have a good team with you to help you manage if an emergency arises. You’re also held up to fewer standards while you’re working the night shift. That is because your work doesn’t include documenting information in real-time. So if you happen to pull out your laptop and watch videos, that is perfectly fine. However, keep your pager on so you know what’s happening and when help is needed. Relaxed doesn’t mean you can get away with neglect or shirk your responsibilities.
6. More money
The body is wired to sleep at night, and giving that up requires nurses to make significant changes in their lifestyles. That could include sacrificing and cutting back immensely on your private life. It also takes more stamina and endurance to pull through a night shift by forcing yourself to stay awake when everyone around you is asleep. So in acknowledgment of the work you’re putting in, you get paid more. If you decide to pull longer night shifts, you’ll get paid even higher. Another factor for the higher compensation rate is the responsibility of keeping patients alive through the night. You can get sleepy, and that could lead to something unfortunate happening. If you plan on shifting today’s shifts, try getting more extensive issues or work the OT. These two jobs get you a good amount of money.
Wrap up
If you’re a nurse working the night shift, you shouldn’t worry. While the night shift can get tiring, it’s good for your career. You get a chance to work with a great team. So your social well-being, as well as the quality of care, doesn’t drop. You also get an opportunity to balance your studies and relax more while working the night shift. The hospital also lets you bring in your food. Since you have time, you can cook proper meals. Apart from a good salary, you get to work with a relaxed group of patients. So unless an emergency strikes, you’ll have a good time working the night shift.