Sleep is something I have never succeeded in. Thus, why I opted to apply for my first night shift job. A few months ago, I started working as a 7 PM – 7 AM night shift PCA at the Cincinnati location of The Christ Hospital. Originally, I chose night shift due to my sleep issues; however, I have learned so much while giving off reports to the day shift PCA’s. The main thing: night shift is where it is at. From the vibes to the views, here are a few examples of why I prefer night shift as a full-time student at Cincinnati.
The Vibes
Empty, quiet, peaceful. Those words circulate around my brain when I think of the vibes that night shift provides. With fewer workers on the floor, you rarely feel crowded or in someone’s way. Once the patients fall asleep, the hospital quiets down. A silent hospital is terrifying, but a quiet hospital is comforting. The steady beeping of heart monitors and IV poles reassure you of the calm state of your patients that you are caring for. Moreover, when an alarm goes off throughout the halls of a quiet hospital, there is no denying which room it is coming from. And everyone is able to rush to that room to help. To me, this is comforting because it gets rid of the worry of not knowing who needs help or which patient is calling out. The vibes of night shift are fit for anyone who finds comfort in a quiet sanctuary, and those who prefer a space that allows them to move freely.
Night Shift Nurses
I adore my night shift nurses. They are so understanding, offer the best life advice, and know where all the vending machines with Alani‘s are. I thought working with nurses would be daunting. I was scared of messing something up, especially when I had patients under my care with a nurse. Through night shift, I have learned that night shift nurses understand. They understand that being awake at night can make someone forgetful, and they kindly remind you of anything you may have forgotten to do. They do not call you out; they simply shoot you a message if they notice anything. Another thing is that they are always willing to help. Night shift nurses also find themselves with free time, so they are able to spend some extra time to help any PCA’s who are having trouble cleaning up a patient or getting a patient’s timed vitals. Lastly, they care. I have received so many messages during the past few months from nurses simply asking, “Are you okay?” or “How are you feeling?” Night shift nurses check in throughout the night to make sure you are doing okay mentally and physically as well. Even though you are not one of their patients, they find the time to care for you as well.
Sleepy Conversations
A part of night shift I always find myself looking forward to is the sleepy conversations I have with my patients. We have all had midnight conversations with our besties at a sleepover, and sleepy conversations with patients can provide you with the same self-fulfillment. During midnight vitals, some patients will confide in you about things that go on in their lives. Even though I am the PCA waking them up many times throughout the night, I love the sense of gratitude from them feeling safe enough to share information with me. These sleepy conversations can be emotional, or they can be us just trading dad jokes back and forth. But in the middle of the night, I have the time to provide meaningful responses and simply be there as a conversationalist.
1 AM – 4 AM
A 3-hour block. I have worked tons of night shifts so far, and I rarely have anything to do during this 3-hour block. 1 AM to 4 AM is the gap between ACCU checks at 1 AM and morning vitals at 4 AM; hence, patients are basically guaranteed to be asleep during this time. As a night shift PCA, this time is yours. You are granted 3 peaceful hours at night to spend however you desire. Sometimes I simply explore the quiet hospital, read part of Sunrise on the Reaping, work on homework, or visit my working friends on other floors to yap with them for a few hours. To me, this time is essential as a reset. Yes, as a PCA you automatically get a 30-minute lunch break, but night shift provides you with a 3-hour block to just have to yourself. To be honest, I have even spent some nights going to a window and just letting myself think. I rarely have the time to let myself think for hours on end and just be bored. But night shift has granted me the ability to do this. My relationships have improved, and I have refined my sense of self because I have finally spent hours thinking about who I am and what type of environment I want to live in. Without this 1 AM to 4 AM, I would still be living in my foggy sense of self.
The Views
I find myself often picking up shifts primarily for the views. My favorite floor to pick up on is anywhere in the Joint and Spine Center. If you have ever been to the Cincinnati location, then you know why. The Joint and Spine Center floors have a stunning view of downtown Cincinnati. And they know it. Every room on that floor has a giant window showcasing downtown Cincinnati, and the lobby wall is spanned by tons of those same giant windows back-to-back.
When you work from 7 PM to 7 AM, you are guaranteed to fall within the time to view the sunset and the sunrise. At the start of your shift, shades of amber, crimson, and magenta paint the sky. Even if you just found out that none of your patients are independent, you cannot deny the calming sensation that a colorful sunset provides. When coupled with the glittering lights of downtown Cincinnati, I find myself taking a moment to be thankful that I work a job that allows me to glimpse the beauty of nature. Then in the morning, even if my shift was particularly stressful that night, I am embraced by the pastel colors of an early morning sunrise. These colors wash over me and remind me to be thankful for the little things in life, like the chance to watch a sunrise.
Day Shift
Through conversations with the day shift PCA’s, I have been provided with insight into their experiences. They do not fall within the time zones to catch a glimpse of an early morning sunrise or a waning sunset. And even if they did, their shifts are filled with ordering meals for their patients, helping their patients eat, providing morning bed baths, and refreshing linens. Would these PCA’s even find themselves with the time to view the colors of the sky? I could not imagine getting through a shift without knowing I’d catch a glimpse of color after my shift began and then again before going home. It always feels like a reward, a reward that I most definitely prefer.
In all, these are just a few reasons as to why I find myself preferring night shift. To me, sacrificing the ease of my circadian rhythm is really not that bad and, in fact, worth it. And to those who may be reading this and assume that anybody with sleep issues would prefer night shift, that is not the case, and I do still find peace during the times I go to bed at 11 PM instead of 8 AM. And on the other hand, I have multiple night shift friends with absolutely no sleep issues, and they have confided in me about their preference for night shift as well. So instead of focusing on all the reasons why night shift might harm your health, take a moment to reflect on the state of mind that night shift provides you with.