I’ll be honest: I really don’t have anything exciting to blog about. It’s just been one of those weeks that has been going a little TOO smoothly. Yes, I’m waiting for the other shoe to fall–did I get that saying right?

I’m back on night shifts, which is a definite pleasure after a month of working day shifts. I was at the point where I’m sure I would have screamed–loudly–and possibly cried if I had to work one more day.

The issue is that our day shifts are incredibly short-staffed. When you come to work in the morning, you have a pit in your stomach because you can’t help but be completely anxious about what you’re getting yourself into. Rarely do we have an appropriate assignment, instead having to run around taking care of our overcapacity beds (yes, you’re lucky now if you’re in a bed rather than lined up in the hallway on a stretcher). It’s not unusual to have six or seven patients now–which is completely dangerous and inappropriate.

Keep in mind, CNAs here don’t do vital signs, don’t do glucose monitoring, don’t empty drains, and only help with morning care–rather than be expected to be responsible for it all.

Night shifts are different. Because day shifts are so horrifying right now, everyone wants to work nights. In fact, contrary to the norm, straight night positions are a hot commodity currently. Everyone has requested to work nights! Also, because they are better staffed and less stressful, there are less sick calls.

Night shifts actually feel “safe,” rather than that feeling of impending doom that comes with day shifts. We have time to socialize and talk. We aren’t rushed to get everything done. We feel like normal people in a normal job working at a humane pace.

If it weren’t for night shifts, I’m not sure I would have lasted through my first year post nursing school.