Night shift nursing plays a vital role in delivering continuous patient care. While responsibilities align with day shifts, night nurses enjoy greater autonomy and quieter environments. The University of St. Thomas Houston’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing can help you earn a degree in as few as 12 months.
The job of a nurse does not end once the sun sets, as patients require care day and night. Night shift nursing is critical to patient recovery. Some nurses thrive on the night shift, which can feature quieter facilities and greater autonomy, as well as unique challenges.
At the University of St. Thomas Houston, our Accelerate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program prepares students to confidently provide care in as few as 12 months. Through a combination of online coursework, hands-on simulation experiences, and clinicals, students can graduate with a bachelor’s degree, ready to excel in their field, no matter the shift.
Discover what to expect as a night shift nurse, tips for success, the differences between day shift and night shift nursing, and more.
What to Expect as a Night Shift Nurse
Night shift nurses are essential to patient care delivery and the operation of healthcare facilities. About 30% of nurses in the U.S. work at night. While there are some differences between night shift vs day shift nurse duties, they are similar. Night shift duties include:
- Administering medication
- Documenting care
- Monitoring patient conditions
- Performing various therapies and treatments
The length of each night shift depends on the facility and available staff. Shifts can range from eight to 12 hours, starting in the evening and ending early in the morning.
Quieter Floors
The night shift is outside visiting hours, making the facility much quieter. With fewer visitors, night shift nurses don’t typically need to work around family members and navigate potentially complex interactions. Night nurses must still possess communication skills and be adept at patient education, however.
Fast-track your path to becoming a nurse. Learn how the University of St. Thomas Houston’s ABSN can help.
Greater Autonomy
Many registered nurses thrive during the night shift because it can allow greater autonomy, though staff must follow strict protocols. Nurse managers and other leaders usually do not work the night shift, so there are fewer meetings to pull nurses away from patients.
Because fewer staff work at night, night shift nurses might be responsible for more patients at night than they would during the day. Fortunately, night shifts are usually less busy than day shifts, potentially making it easier to care for more patients.
If you prefer to work independently, the night shift can offer greater freedom to provide patient care with less supervision.
Higher Earning Potential
Salaries vary significantly by state and healthcare facility. However, because night shifts are less popular than day shifts, facilities typically offer higher pay to attract more nurses.
Unusual Working Hours
Working night shifts can be challenging, primarily when friends and family work traditional daytime hours. The night shift nurse sleep schedule requires you to sleep during the day so you are well-rested and ready for the next shift, which might cause you to miss events or neglect household tasks.
Poor sleep quality or nutrition can produce decreased cognitive function or cardiovascular or gastrointestinal problems over time. That is why it is important to establish a routine that best fits your needs and work schedule early on.
How to Survive Night Shift Nursing: Practical tips for Success
Although the night shift has drawbacks, you can take steps to help overcome the challenges and provide quality patient care. Consider these tips for night shift nurses to help you master the night shift.
Creating a Sustainable Night Shift Nurse Sleep Schedule
Adjusting to a night shift nurse sleep schedule may initially be difficult for your body, but consistency is key. Over time, your body will adapt to your new schedule. Provided that you receive ample and quality sleep, the consistency will diminish the potential for adverse effects on your health.
Because you will sleep during the day, you may need to take extra steps to create a dark and quiet sleeping environment. Quality blackout curtains and white noise machines are night shift nurse essentials. Combined, they block out daylight and environmental noises that can prevent you from achieving a deep and restful sleep.
Make Nutritious Choices
Healthy food choices can increase your energy and make you a more effective nurse. Maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding foods high in sugar and low in fiber will help you feel alert and energized throughout the shift.
Limit Meals to the Day
One way to potentially diminish the risk of gastrointestinal disturbances and the development of diabetes is to eat meals during the day rather than the night shift. Research indicates that eating at night, when your body expects to be asleep, increases blood sugar levels by an average of 6.4%, and eating meals during the day prevents a blood sugar surge.
This does not mean that you should never eat during your night shift, but reserving full meals for the day and refueling as needed may be better for your health. Maintaining a consistent eating schedule to support your circadian rhythm is also beneficial.
Reduce Night Shift Frequency
The body can have difficulty adjusting to frequent night shifts, so space night shifts and day shifts apart to have adequate time to recover. Scale back on night shifts if your health starts to suffer.
Night Shift vs Day Shift Nurse: Which Schedule Is Right for You?
When thinking about whether a night or day shift would be better for you, consider the following questions.
- Do I function well during night hours?
- Do I favor working independently?
- Can I consistently get seven to nine hours of sleep during the day without interruptions?
- Will working the night shift benefit my personal and family needs?
- Do I have family and social support?
- Can I be proactive about my eating and sleeping habits to counter any long-term health impacts?
If the answer to most of the above questions is “yes,” perhaps you would thrive working the night shift.
Why is earning a BSN is important for your nursing career? Find out here.
Start Your Nursing Journey Today in Houston
According to our study, Texas has a solid job market for night-shift positions across all industries, with 155 jobs per 100,000 working-class individuals. With more than 5% of the workforce commuting at night, the state has a well-established infrastructure to support night-shift workers.
The ABSN program at the University of St. Thomas Houston will prepare you to excel in nursing and all types of shifts. Our nursing curriculum uses a hybrid approach that allows you to earn a BSN in as few as 12 months, preparing you to confidently take the NCLEX-RN and earn your nursing license.
If you meet the admission requirements and have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 undergraduate credit hours from an accredited institution, a rewarding nursing career lies ahead.
Contact an admissions advisor today to learn how studying nursing in Houston at University of St. Thomas can open many doors for your nursing career.