Day Shift vs. Night Shift Nursing: Pros and Cons
Patients in a hospital setting require care 24/7. To ensure a consistent continuum of care, nurses must be available, working both day shifts and night shifts to meet patient needs and promptly respond to emergencies that may arise.
While a comparison of day shift vs. night shift nursing yields many similarities, some significant distinctions also exist. These distinctions involve more than just time of day. Day shift and night shift nurses also have different sets of responsibilities. By obtaining a well-rounded education, nurses can hone the skills required for success in doing both types of shift work.
Day Shift vs. Night Shift Nursing: What Are the Differences?
Nurses preparing for shift work should know some of the key distinctions between working during the day and working at night. Five key differences involve shift hours, physician availability, participation in tests and procedures, time for documentation, and opportunities to provide personalized patient care.
Hours
While hospitals delineate their shifts differently, the day shift commonly starts around 7:00 a.m. At some hospitals, it may be as early as 5:30 a.m. The day shift usually runs into the early evening hours, maybe 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. On the other hand, night shifts usually begin in the early evening and can last until around 7:00 a.m.
Doctor Availability
Most doctors work primarily during the day; therefore, there tends to be more activity in the hospital and more opportunities for nurses to support their colleagues. At night, the number of doctors in the hospital tends to be much lower.
Procedures and Tests
Because more doctors work the day shift, nurses often have more opportunities to assist with diagnostic tests and procedures. By contrast, the night shift typically involves fewer scheduled tests and procedures, with nurses focusing more on ongoing patient care, monitoring, and responding to changes in patients’ conditions.
Documentation
Night shifts may offer nurses more uninterrupted time to complete patient charts and other documentation. During day shifts, scheduled procedures, patient admissions, and other activities can make it more challenging to keep up with these tasks.
Personalized care
With fewer scheduled procedures and potentially fewer interruptions, night shifts may give nurses more opportunities to spend one-on-one time with patients. This can help nurses build relationships with patients and provide individualized care.
Day Shift vs. Night Shift Nursing: Benefits and Drawbacks
Given these distinctions, it’s understandable that each shift presents its own list of pros and cons. Consider some of the distinguishing features of the day shift and the night shift.
Benefits of the Day Shift
Working the day shift brings several advantages. These include the following:
Because the day shift tends to be fast-paced and full of activity, it can often provide nurses with more to do and more significant opportunities to feel accomplished.
Working the day shift also allows nurses to maintain regular sleep hours, syncing their professional lives with their circadian rhythm.
Being able to work during normal hours also makes it easier to be present for things like children’s school events, sporting events, or other family obligations.
The opportunity to assist with tests and procedures can lead to greater collegiality and more chances for nurses to hone their clinical skills.
For those who get into nursing primarily for the opportunity to interact with patients, being present during normal waking hours is a boon.
Drawbacks of the Day Shift
Although day shifts align more closely with traditional working hours, they also present challenges for nurses.
Day shifts often involve many scheduled procedures and other activities. The fast pace can make it difficult to complete basic tasks like patient charting.
Nurses may face competing demands from physicians, administrators, patients, and patients’ families, making it challenging to prioritize tasks and manage their workload.
Day shifts can begin as early as 5:30 or 6:00 am, potentially disrupting sleep schedules, particularly for nurses who naturally prefer staying up later.
Benefits of the Night Shift
Night shift nursing also comes with some perks. Here are a few:
For nurses who desire a slower, quieter, more relaxed environment, the night shift tends to be quite a bit less frenetic.
The night shift can also provide nurses with the breathing room required to study charts or to ask questions of their charge nurse.
Thanks to the slower pacing, night nursing may also afford more opportunities to bond with other nurses and personnel.
Many hospitals and health systems offer higher salaries for night nurses, recognizing that these hours tend to be less desirable.
Drawbacks of the Night Shift
Working nights can disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it difficult to get sufficient, restorative sleep. Long-term night shift work has also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
Sleeping during the day and working at night can make it difficult to spend time with family and friends, attend social events, and maintain relationships.
With fewer physicians and other health care professionals available overnight, nurses may have less immediate support when responding to emergencies or changes in patients’ conditions.
Because training sessions, mentorship programs, and administrative activities often take place during the day, night shift nurses may have fewer opportunities for professional networking and career advancement.
How to Prepare for the Night Shift
Nurses who opt for the night shift need to make a few mental and physical preparations. Here are a few general guidelines for nurses who work the night shift:
Recognize the potential health risks of working at night, and ask a supervisor if the hospital offers sleep training options to help nurses acclimate to the night shift.
Try to tweak sleep patterns in different ways, staying up late the evening before an overnight shift and taking a nap before heading in for your shift.
Get buy-in and support from friends and family members in advance, and discuss ways to stay connected with them even while working unusual hours.
Take advantage of scheduled breaks to rest, stretch, or walk around, helping maintain alertness throughout the shift.
Emphasize hydration and nutrition, rather than simply relying on caffeine to sail through the shift. Don’t forget to pack food and snacks, as the cafeteria is likely closed at night.
Night Shift for New Nurses: Special Considerations
The night shift for new nurses can present additional challenges as they adjust to professional nursing responsibilities. Before starting, new nurses should ask about orientation programs that provide opportunities to work alongside experienced night shift nurses. Find out what clinical support is available overnight, including charge nurses and mentors, as well as other resources for handling unfamiliar situations. New nurses should also familiarize themselves with nighttime procedures and protocols for contacting physicians or requesting assistance during emergencies.
Day Shift vs. Night Shift Nursing: Prepare for Anything
The truly versatile nurse is prepared to thrive in any environment, day or night. To develop this level of versatility, honing a broad portfolio of essential nursing skills, including core clinical competencies, is essential.
The right education can provide those skills, laying a foundation for success across different types of nursing shifts. Consider The University of Tulsa’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree. Develop the skills and credentials needed to thrive, no matter the shift, with a condensed timeline and a flexible schedule. Discover more details about the program today.
Recommended Readings
3 Reasons to Expand Your Nursing Scope of Practice
Nurse Retention Strategies: Ways to Retain Nurse Talent
Sources
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, “Support for New Grad Nurses”
American Nurses Association, Tips for Surviving the Night Shift in Nursing
FreshRN, “Responsibilities of Day Shift Med-Surg Nurses Versus Night Shift Med Surg Nurses”
Indeed, “Day Shift vs. Night Shift for Nurses (Plus Benefits of Each)”
NightOwling.com, “Night Shift vs Day Shift: The Real Differences Nobody Talks About”
Rose Hill Rehab Center, “Everything You Need to Know About Night Shift Nursing”
