Night shifts offer benefits, challenges

The routine of a 12-hour night shift can create a challenge for one’s social life.

North Kansas City nurse Mary Calvert, RN, BSN, ONC, knows this challenge first hand.

“I worked nights, of course, initially when I first got out of school in ’74,” Calvert said.

Calvert switched to days after a short stint working nights on a med/surg floor. But when she received a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree from Avila University in 1989, Calvert decided to give nights another chance.

She said the pay differential was hard to pass up. And at that time North Kansas City Hospital gave bonuses to nurses who worked nights.

“The bright side was it was quite a bit more money,” Calvert said.

Calvert worked 12-hour nights on the orthopedic unit from 1989 to 1995. She transitioned from an eight-hour day shift on the IV team.

“It was quite an adjustment to go to 12-hour shifts,” Calvert said.

Calvert left for work at 6 p.m., making it virtually impossible to have family dinners. Her children were 12 and 13 at the time.

“It required some adjustments,” Calvert said. “I had great, understanding head nurses the entire time.”

Night shifts can cause sleep deprivation for nurses unable to get a full eight hours of sleep in the daytime. Calvert said she never experienced sleep deprivation.

“I’m a night owl by nature, so that wasn’t a problem,” Calvert said. “I certainly slept well.”

Calvert said she reached her breaking point on nights when she realized how much distance her odd hours had created between her and her friends.

“Pretty soon it just sort of evolved that the people who I was hanging out with were fellow night workers,” Calvert said. “I felt like I was losing touch with my long-term daytime friends.”

Calvert transitioned to a day shift on orthopedics in 1995.

“I’ve been very pleased,” she said.

For Menorah Medical Center nurse Kim Chi Booth, RN, nights have been a welcome change of pace.

“Personally, I chose to work nights. It takes a special person to work nights. Working nights allows you more opportunity to teach. I worked days for 10 years. I chose nights for convenience. (My) kids needed someone to pick them up,” Booth said.

Booth works from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

She said working nights “gives you a chance to manicure your professional skills because you don’t have a doctor around. You have to paint a correct and precise picture so the physician can treat accordingly.”

Booth said she does not plan to go back to days because this schedule works out so well for her family.

“The best part about nursing is flexibility. Being a nurse is the greatest thing; you know your schedule four to six weeks in advance. The schedule is flexible, there is a balance,” Booth said. “My daughter plays volleyball at MU; I have never missed any games.”

Some nurses are more suited for days, and some nights. Regardless of their preference, nurses throughout Kansas City rise to the challenge to provide round-the-clock care to patients.

-Renata Williams contributed to this story.

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