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Which shift is the best for new RN ICU nurse, night or day shift?


August 10th, 2022

Day shift to orient but nights to work. You see me during the day but there are also a lot of interruptions with all the different services needing things and family asking a million questions. Night shift allows you to focus and learn more about your patient. Sometimes you actually have time to read through the chart and learn about the plan and hx of your patient. As a new grad straight into NSICU, I prefer nights

August 2nd, 2022

Night

August 17th, 2022

I worked nights for a few years before going to days. If I'd had a choice, I would have gone right to days. I think it's personal preference. The unit will be a lot more hectic during the day but there will also be more help available.

August 2nd, 2022

First shift would be the best for the new RN ICU nurse. This nurse would be able to learn a lot from the day shift staff from how the unit functions on a day to day basis including all nursing procedures, handover reporting, delegation of assignments, conduction of Interdisciplinary meetings plus the being able to shadow respective members of staff.

July 26th, 2022

Probably day shift, as night shift has less back-up/support. I did that right out of school in a small ICU. That is tough. You need lots of people to ask questions of, bounce things off of. Sorry poor grammar. You need to know what you can pass on or let go for the moment. But it is your call, you’ll be wise when you go through the fire.

January 23rd, 2023

I think nights is best. You work closely with your coworkers , which isn’t always available in days. You lean on one another, you start putting those pieces together that you pain stakeingly learn at school. And you thought you didn’t learn anything. You’re able to learn sooo much more on nights because you’re not being pulled in a thousand different directions. Days is good for time management but for new nurses it can be overwhelming.

August 28th, 2022

Orient on day shift with a preceptor, then move to nights to hone your skills (charting, organization of duties). Spend a year on nights and then try to move to days to increase your knowledge base.
It's honestly two types of nursing and night shift, with the right team, is a great place to learn basics for the unit and how it runs. Night shift nurses, IMO, tend to be more supportive of newer nurses and staff. Day shift will eat you alive, doctors will become exasperated with your lack of knowledge, and it can be very discouraging to a new grad.
I went from school right into a critical care step-down unit (with VERY high acuity of patients) and it was an amazing experience.

July 27th, 2022

Day shift

August 22nd, 2022

Night shift .. new nurses don’t have the skills yet to handle the complexity of days successfully alone at first. We have enough burn outs as is, give these kids a chance

August 2nd, 2022

night

December 16th, 2022

Nights. Especially on a cardiac IMO. I started on days compared to the rest of my cohort, you can guess who struggled the most. A lot goes on during day shift especially during weekdays and there's no time to really stop and ask questions or really think. You just go. The day shift nurses won't or just aren't as available to answer questions like you would like to in order to absorb things. I remember being told time and time again on your down time go through your book. I never had down time. I looked through my friends book she was able to high light stuff. She said that she'd at some point during nights get to do a little reading. After a year I really wish I would have started on nights. This is not a pass on nights either not at all. It's 2 different shifts and typically you'll find more new nurses on at nights so you find some solidarity there too.

August 31st, 2022

It really depends on the person and the unit. Nightshift is quieter and better for learning. More resources on days but way more hectic. Your own self matters a lot too, do you thrive on craziness, or do you need a second to take it all in? Do you sleep well in your off time? Also do you trust your coworkers, have you found a mentor? This matters a great deal. It takes a long time to become a good ICU nurse. If you bore easily, you can easily switch from trauma, medical,neuro,cardiac,open heart ..you get the idea but still stay in ICU but first must get the basic ICU training.

August 23rd, 2022

I’m going to say night shift, you have time to pace yourself and get to know the unit as well as ask your preceptor questions and not feel overwhelmed.

August 2nd, 2022

Nights

August 2nd, 2022

NIGHTS

August 2nd, 2022

Greatly depends on your department. In the CVICU, I believe night shift is best. True enough, there are less ppl. However, that works in your favor. We tend to coddle until we believe you are truly ready to sail. In the ED, it's a literal shit show most days but, day shift is typically calmer than night. It revs up slowly and then night shifts comes into utter chaos.

August 29th, 2023

If you have a good team working nights will let you learn at a bit slower pace and you definitely learn to make decisions before you call a doc in the middle of the night

December 16th, 2022

I recommend day shift. You have access to more resources and management. You will learn to do the job based on actual communicated expectations. There will be less guess work and "heresay" or communicated short cuts. Also, days is much easier on your circadian rhythm.

September 20th, 2022

Rotational shifts will give you the best feel… try alternating between day and nights. I think it was the best learning curve since l
Was in level 1 trauma hospital so both shifts were great to learn from… I was never a day shift person when l did bedside nursing. So l preferred working nights.
Plus, the night crew were the best just like family. That’s another thing you tend to love where relationships are strong. That’s why rotating btwn both can be the best. Although ur body will be thrown off but it’s doable. Medical students do it all the time. Train urself to adopt to both shifts and you’ll never regret it. If it’s impossible start with the night shift… learn a lot then move into day shift after you’ve learned how to manage ur patients, chart, and communicate with both staff and family members(they usually leave around 9-11p). Moving into days will be easy since u’ve already done the basics.
But again, if you have the best preceptors on day shift then they can also make ur learning experience suitable and carry you for a long time as you become comfortable with the role. Good luck to you

August 23rd, 2022

I started off at night and liked the slower pace when I was still new to the ICU. Things can happen at any time of day so you have to be ready for anything and at night you may not have all the resources available compared to the day shift. From my experience, I did like day shift so I could learn from the doctors and other ancillary services as well.

August 28th, 2022

Day

August 9th, 2022

Day shift

August 2nd, 2022

Nights

August 2nd, 2022

Night

August 2nd, 2022

Day shift to start. There are a lot more resources at your disposal during the day in the event of emergencies m versus during night shift.

August 2nd, 2022

Day shift at first to orient well with staff. Once competent on days, orient them to nights also.

July 30th, 2022

It's the day shift because he/she is new and needs to know all about critical care and that can happen in day shift where in most of the bosses are on duty. And can do night shift later after acquainted with most procedures.

November 13th, 2023

Night shift can seem daunting for many, and it is very disregulating for your brain's long-term circadian rhythms. I have been a day shift ICU RN and find nights hard, personally. HOWEVER, as a new ICU RN, night shift is probably the best learning opportunity for you. You do not have consults, families, tests/procedures, and transfers unless it is absolutely life threatening. You have more time to focus on your duties and patient care with fewer distractions.

May 28th, 2023

Definitely the night shift. You have less teams at bedside and less family so you are able to learn and have time to ask questions and have them answered. Your preceptor will have more time to teach. There’s more time with just the pt not everyone else.

April 27th, 2023

Day shift

September 12th, 2022

Day shift

August 26th, 2022

Nights

August 26th, 2022

Day

August 23rd, 2022

Depends on how many nurses are highly experienced in the ICU. I worked on the night shift for one year in Kings County Hospital Adult ED, Level I Trauma because I wanted to develop, increase my clinical skills and expertise. The night nurses were highly skilled team. They had been working there at minimum 5-10 years.
It depends on staffing and how experienced the nurses working in the ICU are.
I

August 23rd, 2022

Day

August 17th, 2022

Day shift.

August 10th, 2022

Day shift, an ICU nurse will get all the experience in prioritizing and interacting with all stakeholders.

August 3rd, 2022

Day shift. There are more staff to assist with the orientation. More department open for help if you requie their help.

August 2nd, 2022

Night

August 2nd, 2022

Days more learning opportunities

August 2nd, 2022

Day; RN has more support and mentors available during the day shift, vs night shift and they have more hands on and can learn more things from their mentors.

August 2nd, 2022

Days

September 2nd, 2024

I prefer to work in day shifts.

August 29th, 2023

The shift that is best for YOU!
If you're a day person, find a day job.
If youre a night owl, work nights.

You don't want to wind up on a shift where you're so out of it, not on your game, or otherwise out of kilter and can't learn, pay attention, etc.

April 27th, 2023

day shift

September 19th, 2022

Day duty

August 28th, 2022

Night shift

August 28th, 2022

Day without doubt most new hires work two years on nights before they can slot into days. I learned everything on daysbut it was resulted on the trauma unit and burn as a matter of fact we had to become TNS certified to work with the many interns and residents that totaled through my role was monitor and computer resource , A/ lines National guard training and Chicagomorgue/medical examiner’s rotation only working days make possibilities possible gods luck and keep us posted

August 26th, 2022

I’m not an RN, but in this lowly LPN’s experience Days, because in any hospital job this where you gain the fast paced training needed for that roll. Afterwards, if you still wanna go to nights, you’ll be more than ready.

Some of you will see this as a dig to night shifts, not at all, I’m very fond of the night shift. That’s where administration is NOT ! 🙃🤷🏻‍♀️

August 26th, 2022

Day shift is the best

August 26th, 2022

Day

August 25th, 2022

Day shift

August 24th, 2022

Days

August 24th, 2022

Days

August 23rd, 2022

Night

August 23rd, 2022

Day

August 23rd, 2022

Day shift, you see so much more!

August 23rd, 2022

PROBABLY DAYS

August 23rd, 2022

Day shift. There are more resources available.

August 22nd, 2022

Day

August 22nd, 2022

Night shift

August 15th, 2022

Day shift

August 15th, 2022

Day shift, more resource people available

August 12th, 2022

Day shift, there is a lot more to learn on days, rounds, procedures, surgeries, etc. although nights does have its own version of rounds it’s usually just the physician. There is generally less procedure going on unless emergent.

August 11th, 2022

night

August 10th, 2022

Day shift.

August 9th, 2022

Night shift

August 9th, 2022

Day shift. There are more resources available during the day that can help in learning if needed

August 9th, 2022

Da

August 8th, 2022

Nights! Do not get caught up with day politics until you learn how to take care of your patient in a “quieter” environment. I don’t believe in going head first in icu. It is truly life and death!

August 8th, 2022

Morning shift is the best for new RN

August 6th, 2022

Day shift- I started right out of school in a high acuity ICU and gained tons of experience my first few months working!

August 6th, 2022

Day shift

August 4th, 2022

I personally would start on day shift to orient, get a handle on where things are and ask allll the questions bc there are resources at every turn. But, Id prefer nightshift once I'm settled.

August 4th, 2022

I think that depends on the person if you are a morning person then day time would be best but if you have a hard time getting up at 5 am or so then maybe night would be best

August 4th, 2022

Day shift

August 4th, 2022

Day shift

August 4th, 2022

Day shift!!

August 3rd, 2022

Night

August 3rd, 2022

Day shift

August 3rd, 2022

Day when there is more support.

August 3rd, 2022

Nights. Learn your flow and how to care for critical issues with less resources will make you a better nurse in the end

August 3rd, 2022

Dayshift will usually have more resources available. But, that also means visitors, doctors rounding and changing orders,(which means they are more readily available in the day, so you don’t have to make a decision about waking them up in the night) all of the morning care/bathing etc. do what works best for your personal life, your body/sleep pattern, and of course the availability of the shift

August 3rd, 2022

day shift

August 3rd, 2022

Day shift because during the day him or her will be working with different nurses and it will be very easy to be asking questions

August 3rd, 2022

Day shift

August 3rd, 2022

day shift

August 3rd, 2022

Night

August 3rd, 2022

Either are great. However most new nurses are placed on nights. This give you a chance to get your basic skills down. Days are much more fast paced and way more busier than nights. to really be able to your skills down pack. Recommend a transition program for ICU that also offers a critical care series certification. After about a year, can transfer to days.

August 2nd, 2022

Night shift-both shifts are supposed to have same patient to nurse ratio. Nightshift will be smaller percentage of visitors than day shift so less distractions. Visitors are important, but can be a distraction. Problem can be, less mentors available on nightshift for resources.

January 9th, 2023

Definitely nights... You learn how to rely on trusting your gut feelings

August 23rd, 2022

Day

August 4th, 2022

Day shift is the best

August 4th, 2022

Night shift is the best

August 3rd, 2022

Always day shift - night shift is bad for your health

August 2nd, 2022

Day shift

August 2nd, 2022

Day shift

August 2nd, 2022

Day because; that is the best shift for the new nurse to learn and ask questions if he/she doesn't understand anything from his senior colleagues.

August 2nd, 2022

Day

August 2nd, 2022

Nights

August 2nd, 2022

Day shift

August 2nd, 2022

day

August 2nd, 2022

It is prefered to engage staff in morning or day shift because he still new and need orientation at least for one month the he can distributed in the duty roster according to organization policy

August 2nd, 2022

day

August 2nd, 2022

day

August 2nd, 2022

Days

August 2nd, 2022

Day

August 2nd, 2022

Day shift

July 27th, 2022

Day

August 17th, 2022

Night

August 2nd, 2022

Day shift.

August 2nd, 2022

Morning shift.

August 2nd, 2022

Day

August 23rd, 2022

New RNs shouldn’t be ICU nurses. They should spend time learning to take care of med surg patients before going into the ICU. They just don’t have the skills to give competent care for critically ill patients. I wouldn’t want an RN less than a year out of nursing school taking care of me or one of my loved ones in the in the ICU, and I’m an RN with less than a year’s experience who wants to work in the ICU. 😂