Nurse Guide
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Nurse Guide
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These days, health care is an urgent demand field that requires nurses to work 24/7. Therefore, the number of night shift nurses guide is also increasing rapidly. However, this role of nurses is challenging due to its working time. In this article, we explain what night shift nurses do, the advantages and disadvantages of this job as well as helpful tips to deal with the unusual schedule job. Here comes the major part!
In brief, night shift nurses are registered nurses (RN) who work overnight. Normally, night shift nurses follow their shift schedule, Workplace as well as complete their duties.
There are three full-time schedules for night shift nurses to follow, which are:
Normally, the duration of a night shift is between 10 and 12 hours, just a few hospitals or medical facilities apply the 8 hours of shift work.
Night shift nurses often work in any care facility where patients can stay overnight. The most common workplaces for night shift nurses are hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, or private clinics.
On the whole, night shift nurses take the same duties as the day shift nurses. Their workloads can namely as providing patient care, administering medication, and taking care and explaining patients’ needs . However, the night shift work is more under-controlled than the day shift, because this is the time that patients are sleeping. Furthermore, the workflow is a little bit slower than normal, because they need to maintain a silent environment. Nevertheless, the overnight working hours can be a little challenging for the newbie nurses because it is a biological clock adjustment.
First thing first, it can’t be denied that night shift nurses are well-paid for nurses. Although the salary varies among states, cities, and even genders, registered nurses who work overnight are getting a better salary than day shift nurses.
Secondly, the night shift nurses don’t need to make as much physical contact with patients as the day shift nurse. Because this is the night shift, patients and their family members are in their beds, thus, the main activity for night shift nurses is taking care of the special patients only. Not having to deal with the crown is an ideal job for introvert nurses, honestly.
Besides, one advantage of working in night shift is building up the team-mates . When nurses are not too busy with their patients, it is a good time to form an unbreakable relationship with other team members.
As mentioned before, night shift nurses only need to provide their treatment to special, awake patients. Thus, this is a good time for nurses to have intimate professional relationships with them. You have more time to understand your patients, as well as their characteristics to find the best way to communicate and treat them.
One additional advantage of being a night shift nurse is its flexibility in management. Although nurses are responsible and strictly follow the regulations, it is still more autonomy without the managers because they don’t work at night. In addition, there are a lot of unnecessary meetings and distractions when working on the day shift. If you prefer an independent personal life, a night shift nurse is a perfect career for you.
Lastly, working as a night shift nurse provides you some extra benefits such as traffic jams, parking spaces, or long lines waiting in grocery and convenience stores .
There are a lot of benefits that you can take for granted from being a night shift nurse, however, we can’t skip the bad impacts. Because this is the night shift, the first drawback is quality of your sleep will be declined. Instead of spending 8 hours of sleep every night, you must sleep on other clocks. It leads to the threat of:
Secondly, an emergency health risk is waiting for you if you continue working for a long time. For instance, you are at a higher level of diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease than other people. Working the night shift disrupts the metabolic cycles that govern your liver, pancreas, kidneys, and digestive tract. These abnormalities might be associated with gastrointestinal issues or serious metabolic diseases. As a result, switching to night breastfeeding is more difficult for your body. You may, however, relieve these symptoms by regularly monitoring your health and maintaining a good food and sleep schedule.
In addition, not everyone understands your duties. People often complain about unusual things. Thus, your night shift schedule is unrespected and they might not understand why you sleep when they awake and do their jobs.
Lastly, a lot of the latest news you may miss due to your working schedule. However, if you don’t put much of your attention into the surroundings and gossip errant, it is not a big problem at all.
Due to the dark side of night shift nurses, it must be some helpful tips for you to deal with it. In this article, we combine 5 ultimate tips for night shift nurses:
Changing your sleep schedule is one of the most challenging aspects of transitioning to night shift nurses. Working as night shift nurses will cause your natural circadian rhythm to be disrupted, so you’ll need to practice regulating it on a new schedule. Try going to bed and waking up 15 minutes later than usual around a month before your first night shift. Every day, add 15 minutes to your routine. Allowing your body to gradually adjust to this new schedule will prevent any serious physical or mental issues.
It may be tempting to sleep less in order to obtain more sunshine, but getting enough quality sleep is crucial to providing excellent patient care. Experts recommend that people from 18 to 64 should receive 7-9 hours of sleep every night, so prepare accordingly.
Night shift work has been shown to have a negative psychological impact on nurses, emphasizing the need of prioritizing your mental health. When you begin shift work, implementing a self-care practice can help you maintain a healthy state of mind. This might be exercise, yoga, meditation, or anything else that offers you joy and comfort. If adjusting to night shifts has a negative influence on your health, try speaking with a therapist or a trusted coworker to help you find a solution. Whether you work night or day shifts, taking care of yourself is a habit that all nurses should practice on a daily basis.
Healthy food is essential for everyone, but it is vital for overnight workers, especially night shift nurses. Maintain your health by eating a nutritious diet . When you are fatigued at work, avoid unhealthy snacks and instead consume a nutritious snack. It will offer you more energy and make you feel better.
Moreover, water is needed for night shift nurses too, especially for those who are required to walk constantly during their shift. This has the extra benefit of keeping you up and active by requiring frequent trips to the bathroom.
Do you know the fact that bright colors can help you stay awake and be more active? Choose brightly colored scrubs with interesting designs to keep your brain engaged during your shift. Your dress choice will also help your employees.
Most people think that caffeine is a good awakening booster. However, it is not a good choice for your health. Our suggestion is to change your caffeine consumption to meet your work and sleep schedules. Avoid drinking coffee or soda in the early morning when your shift ends, since this may make falling asleep when you go home difficult. Instead, start your shift with a cup of coffee and gradually switch to nutritious, hydrating beverages as your shift progresses.
That’s all the information you should know about night shift nurses and the night shift nurses guide to work effectively at night . We hope that this post is a useful guide for you to avoid the drawback of night shift working as well as help you build up a healthy and balanced routine in your life. If you are not confident about your nursing knowledge, you can take some NCLEX Practice Tests to score high on your license test!
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By: Sarah Jividen
RN, BSN
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Whether you are interested in becoming a nurse, or you're an APRN who already has many years under your belt, it is essential to understand the nurse levels and hierarchy so that you know what options you have in your career. Generally speaking, the higher the degree level a nurse has, the more education and experience they have received.
Between starting as a novice nurse and the highest ranks of nursing, there is a wide range of positions. Read on to understand the ranks and levels of nursing.
A certified nursing assistant, or CNA , helps patients with activities of daily living and other healthcare needs under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Certified nursing assistants must complete a state-approved training program. These programs are generally found at local community colleges, high school, vocational or technical schools, or local hospitals.
LVNs and LPNs are interchangeable titles depending on where you work in the US. California and Texas use the title LVN, and the rest of the US uses LPN.
LPNs and LVNs work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities and are typically responsible for more basic kinds of patient care and comfort measures. Usually, they work under the guidance of an RN or MD.
To become an LVN/LPN, you need a high school diploma or GED and to graduate from an accredited LVN/LPN program and pass the National Council Licensure Exam. LPN programs typically include one year of coursework and training at a hospital, community college, or technical school. There are also LPN to RN programs where LPNs can go back to school to become either an ADN RN or a BSN RN through accelerated programs.
A registered nurse administers hands-on patient care in a variety of settings including hospitals, medical offices, nursing homes, and other facilities.
RNs work with physicians and other members of the health care team to provide the best course of treatment possible. They also help to educate patients and their families about health issues.
To become an RN you'll need to complete either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, followed by your NCLEX-RN.
An APRN is a master’s degree prepared RN with a post-master's certificate, or a DNP in one of the following four roles:
APRN’s are licensed through the state board of nursing in which they practice. In many states, APRNs can prescribe medication and practice independently, while in other states, they do so under the oversight of a Medical Doctor (MD).
Many nurses who are APRNs also have a DNP, but you can have one without the other. An APRN with a DNP is considered a practicing doctorate.
Nurses can increase their earning potential and advance their careers away from the bedside by pursuing a non-clinical advanced nursing career.
An RN diploma is another route to becoming a registered nurse. Like the ADN, these programs typically take around two years to complete and they both prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN. The main difference is that the ADN is a college degree while the diploma is not. Diploma programs are typically offered at hospitals, but may also be available at technical or vocational schools.
An ADN is a 2-year degree and is the minimum amount of education required to obtain a license to work as an RN, other than an RN diploma (See next section).
Most RN’s begin their careers working at the bedside performing direct patient care. This experience is usually preferred for nurses who wish to advance their careers and eventually earn a BSN, MSN, APRN, or DNP. However, there are also many career paths that an RN can take outside of the hospital setting, including case management, or aesthetic nursing.
A BSN is a 4-year nursing degree for students who want to be a registered nurse (RN), or for RNs who currently only have an associates degree in nursing (ADN). Many nurses who start their careers with an ADN eventually advance their careers by achieving a BSN.
Bachelor’s trained nurses work in nursing specialties throughout the hospital setting. For example, cardiac, neuro, pediatrics, labor & delivery, emergency room, and ICU, to name a few.
Nurses are encouraged to become certified within their chosen specialty after they have gained at least one or more years of direct nursing experience. For example, a nurse on an ICU neuro/trauma can study and sit for the Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurses Certification (CNRN). Achieving certification within your chosen specialty shows that you are an expert nurse in a particular nursing field. In addition, many institutions will pay nurses more when they are certified within their specialty.
Both ADN and BSN graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed to work as an RN.
There are several types of master's degrees in nursing . Advanced practice registered nurse degrees prepare a registered nurse for an advanced clinical role. Other types of MSN degrees focus on preparing nurses for non-clinical roles such as public health or nursing informatics.
It takes about 2-3 years to earn a master’s in nursing but online options are available.
A Doctorate Of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest level of nursing education and expertise within the nursing profession. DNP’s work in nursing administration or direct patient care as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). As thought leaders, DNP’s also implement health policy and influence healthcare outcomes.
In the healthcare setting, DNP’s work in:
Education to obtain a DNP requires three to six years of study, depending on what level of nursing education you currently have. Most DNP programs require that you have a master’s degree in nursing, although some will start at the BSN level and require more years of study.
There will be more opportunities than ever for nursing career advancement in the coming years. Nationwide employment of RNs is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030 . This is partially due to an increased emphasis on preventative care, higher rates of chronic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, and an aging baby boomer population.
Advancing your education has never been more attainable, especially with the rise of online learning . A few educational opportunities you may want to consider are RN to BSN , BSN to MSN, and MSN to DNP programs.
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