
Being put on night shift feels like a death sentence for nurses who never experienced it or have always considered themselves as “morning people” rather than “night owls”. But night shifts are not as horrible as most people think they would be. In fact, many seasoned nurses would prefer a night shift more than anything.
There are many reasons to love the night shift:
- You can enjoy higher pay.
Because night shifts are not the usual working hours for a person, healthcare workers assigned in this shift have the privilege of higher compensation.
- You are available for family activities.
Being at home during the day means you can prepare meals for the kids to take to school, go on a quick trip to the park with the family, or just tend to their overall needs.
- You get a more relaxed patient routine.
At night, there are fewer doctors that you need to meet during their rounds and no visitors for patients that you need to accommodate. You can focus on the tasks you have at hand better.
- You can build closer work relationships.
Because the atmosphere is more relaxed and the work is less hectic during a night shift, you can build tighter bonds with your workmates.
- You can relax better with fewer people on the floor.
While nurses are used to the families and friends of the patients who have endless questions and requests, they won’t deny that it can cause stress. Not having to deal with that during a night shift can put you in a calm disposition for work.
It may feel like your chances of achieving work-life balance is officially over once you are put on the night shift. But with the many benefits of a night shift, you might have just done yourself a favor. The night shift has made many nurses happier in their careers and it could do the same to you too.