The public’s need for healthcare obviously doesn’t stick to strictly 9–5 “business hours.” The always-on model of our healthcare system is fantastic for anyone who has had a health emergency on a holiday evening, but it can be more of a mixed bag for the healthcare workers staffing it.
If you’re exploring a nursing career, it’s only fair to wonder about the contents of that mixed bag and whether that’s something you can handle. If you’re looking for more info on the potential pros and cons of working night shifts versus day shifts as a nurse, we’ve got you covered. We dug into the research on shift work and spoke with nurses who’ve walked the walk at all hours of the day to gather important insight into the realities of these shifts
The neverending debate between nurses – which is better, day shift or night shift? Both have their own sets of pros and cons. As a nurse, your preference will depend on your personality, lifestyle, and career goals.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between day shift and night shift nursing so you can make an informed decision.
Day Shift Nursing
Hours
The day shift typically starts between 6-8am and ends between 2-5pm. So you’ll be working mostly standard business hours.
Some pros of the day shift hours include:
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Get to sleep at night and have a normal circadian rhythm. This leads to better sleep quality.
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Easier to plan events/outings on your days off since you are free during the evenings,
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Avoid feeling like you live in a cave, since you get sunlight exposure during your shift.
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More opportunities to socialize with coworkers during the shift
Some cons:
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Commuting can be a pain with heavy traffic.
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Less pay differentials compared to night shift.
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Juggling kids’ schedules before/after school might be tricky.
Work Environment
On the day shift you’ll experience a busier, more energetic environment with more staff and providers.
Pros:
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More opportunities to learn new skills and build your nursing expertise since there are more procedures and tests happening.
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Chance to collaborate closely with doctors who are mainly there during the day.
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More assistance from ancillary staff like phlebotomy, radiology, case management.
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Better staffing levels so your patient load is manageable.
Cons:
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More hectic, fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions. This can lead to errors.
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Dealing with “management issues” since administrators are on site during the day.
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More family members visiting patients which can be demanding.
Career Growth
Some nurses feel the day shift offers better visibility and opportunities for career advancement. Reasons are:
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Your manager is there to directly observe your work. This visibility can lead to favorable performance reviews.
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You can network directly with provider teams and specialists.
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Attend meetings and get face time with leadership.
However, ambitious night shift nurses can still build visibility through exemplary charting, communication with dayside staff, and seeking mentorship opportunities. So career growth depends more on the nurse’s initiative.
Night Shift Nursing
Now let’s look at the pros and cons of working the night shift as a nurse.
Hours
The night shift typically runs from 7pm to 7am, or shorter variations like 3pm to 11pm.
Benefits of the night schedule:
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No traffic commuting to work.
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Differential pay is usually $2-5 more per hour. This can add up substantially.
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Quieter time to focus and catch up on charting.
Downsides:
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Flip-flopping sleep schedule can badly disrupt your circadian rhythm. This affects long term health.
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Lack of sunlight exposure can cause seasonal depression.
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Social life suffers when you work weekends/holidays.
Work Environment
The vibe on nights is generally much more low-key. Some perks are:
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Slower pace allows you more one-on-one time with your patients.
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With fewer staff, you get a chance to try new responsibilities like answering phones or stocking supplies.
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Better camaraderie between night shift staff since you depend on each other.
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More independent in decision making since fewer providers are on site.
Cons of the night setting:
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Less support staff available like phlebotomy, radiology, case management.
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Unusual occurrences like delirium and aggressive behavior happen more often at night.
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Sleep deprivation by the end of the shift. This impairs your critical thinking.
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More temptation to snack on junk food and caffeine to stay awake.
Career Growth on Nights
The night shift career growth barriers largely come down to lack of visibility:
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Out of sight of leadership so your great work goes unnoticed.
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Isolation from provider teams limits exposure to new procedures.
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Difficulty attending meetings during the day due to sleep schedule.
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Transferring to dayside can be challenging due to less experience with team workflows.
Despite this, exceptional night nurses do advance into leadership roles by being proactive, communicating effectively about their skills and achievements, and seeking mentorship.
Which Nursing Shift Is Better?
There’s no definitive answer to whether the day or night shift is better for nurses overall. The “better” option depends entirely on your individual needs and preferences.
Here are a few key questions to ask yourself when deciding between day vs night shift:
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Are you a morning person or a night owl? Your natural energy levels will make one shift easier.
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Is differential pay essential for your finances right now? Night shift offers higher hourly pay.
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Do you hope to specialize in a certain nursing field soon? Day shift offers faster skills development.
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Is work-life balance a priority for you currently? Certain shifts might fit your lifestyle better.
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How do you handle busy, chaotic environments? Day shift is higher stimulus.
The most important thing is choosing the shift that allows you to be the best nurse possible for your patients. Being satisfied with your hours will translate to better performance.
If you’re still undecided, consider starting on one shift and switching after a year if it doesn’t suit you. Some perpetual variety works for nurses who enjoy both shifts equally too!
At the end of the day, day shift and night shift both allow you to make an invaluable difference in your patients’ lives. Embrace the unique perks and growth opportunities each shift offers.
Night shift vs. day shift: Sleep
Another important consideration while debating night shift versus day shift nursing is sleep. No matter when you prefer to clock in, sleep is critical to functioning at your best as a nurse. Being alert means avoiding making critical errors and being more aware when your patient’s condition is changing. “Your patients depend on you to get quality sleep just like they depend on you to give them the right medication,” says Brunson.
While it can certainly be a rough transition, some nurses are easily able to adjust to sleeping during the day. Many nurses tend to be tired enough after an 8- or 12-hour shift to fall asleep without changing things up too much. That said, any and all of the following can help night shift nurses maintain a steady sleep schedule:
- Investing in blackout blinds
- Sticking to a routine for falling asleep
- Reading a book before bed
- Wearing wax earplugs
- Avoiding blue light before sleeping
- Avoiding spicy foods before bed
- Having a small “breakfast” before bed so a growling stomach doesn’t wake you up
- Drinking only light caffeine and water during your shift
- Reducing food intake between midnight and 6 a.m.
- Owning a loud, reliable alarm clock
Most important, plan out your sleep, especially if you’re someone who switches back to being awake during the day on your days off or you have a rotating day/night schedule. Brunson recommends writing your sleep time down on your calendar or in your planner and not scheduling anything over it. “Your sleep needs to be protected at all costs,” says Brunson.
If that seems like it’s just way too much to deal with, it doesn’t mean you’re out of luck—there are plenty of nursing positions that don’t require working at 3 a.m. While they may be harder to find in a hospital setting, stay open-minded and consider doctor’s offices, clinics or surgical centers that are only open during the day. You’re better off tailoring your search to roles with schedules that work for you than being exhausted and out-of-sorts.
“I’m a better nurse and person getting good sleep at night and having improved mental health by being able to socialize during the day,” says Jenna Liphart Rhoads, Ph.D. RN, CNE advisor at Nurse Together.
If you’re looking for a good in-between, look for evening-only positions that consist of 8- or 12-hour shifts where most of the hours occur between 4 p.m. and midnight. This can allow you to have a more “normal schedule” without having to be there bright and early in the morning.
Night shift vs. day shift: Health considerations
Besides sleep, there are other health concerns to think about before becoming a long-term night shifter. While trying night shift for a shorter period of time won’t necessarily have a long-term effect on your health, there are some studies to consider if you plan on being on night shift for years.
In a recent National Toxicology Program report, it was concluded that there is “high confidence” that persistent night shift work that results in circadian disruption can cause cancer.1 Night shift work has also been associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, metabolic disorders and sleep disorders.2
While those risks are hard to think about tangibly, you can take stock of how you’re doing after a few months on the night shift and consider what changes you can make if you enjoy being on night shift but may not be feeling your best.
“With years of night shift work, you can start to feel the effects on your mental and physical health,” Marchese says.
DAY SHIFT vs NIGHT SHIFT for Nurses
What are the pros and cons of night shift vs day shift?
What are the pros and cons of night shift v.s day shift? The day shift is the body clock-friendly shift, where there is always help available and there is a better chance of showing off your skills to management. Whereas, night shift typically brings financial reward, is great for the night owls and you’ll never get stuck in traffic again.
How does shift work affect a person with sleep apnea?
There are no direct correlations to show that shift work results in sleep apnoea. However, there is some evidence to suggest shift workers have more severe sleep apnoea when compared to non-shift workers. Additionally, poor sleep hygiene and irregular sleep patterns all negatively impact sleep quality. So, patients with untreated sleep apnoea should avoid night time shift work.
Should you switch from night shift to day shift?
If you are feeling exhausted, there is also a better chance of having recuperative sleep during the night in comparison to trying to sleep during the day. If you do often transition from nights to days, you’ll enjoy reading How To Quickly Switch From Night Shift To Day Shift.
What is the difference between day and Night Shift Nurses?
In contrast, night-shift nurses typically work overnight, starting as early as 7:00 p.m. and ending as late as 8:00 a.m. Depending on the facility’s staffing needs, they may also work 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts. The staff for the day and night shifts can also differ in the number and types of healthcare professionals available.
