Working in a healthcare setting may require working the night shift. Working the night shift is typically an eight- or twelve-hour shift (usually from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.). At the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing, BSN students may be scheduled to work night shifts during their clinical rotations. The number of night shifts will vary based on availability and how hospitals or clinics schedule clinicals. Two recent BSN graduates, Patryk Wlodarczyk and Mae Copley, share their experiences and have some advice on working the night shift.
Check Your Clinical Schedule
You’ll get your clinical schedule in advance, so you’ll have time to prepare for shifting your sleeping schedule.
“You will hear from your clinical instructor or scholar about a week before the start of the rotation, and they’ll tell you what time and where to meet them,” Copley says. “Typically, a clinical instructor or preceptor will want you to come a little early so you can see how things are handed off between day and night shifts.”
💡CU Anschutz Nursing Tip: Your clinical schedule is posted to My Clinical Exchange.
Life Adjustments
Working nights requires adjusting your sleep schedule and daily routine. Focus on making intentional changes, including sleeping during the day, taking naps when needed, and going to bed as early as possible before upcoming shifts. It may take time for your body to fully adapt to a consistent night schedule.
“Night shifts can be physically demanding, especially when they occur consistently, so managing sleep becomes very important,” Wlodarczyk says. “I found that maintaining a consistent routine and allowing my body time to adjust made the biggest difference.”
Maintaining your relationships is also important when working night shifts. During night shift rotations, your schedule is often completely different from that of friends and family. Before starting a stretch of night shifts, communicate with the people close to you about what your routine will look like.
“The environment tends to allow for more focused patient care, and the teamwork among night shift staff is often incredibly strong," Wlodarczky says.
If you are working several consecutive night shifts, your primary focus will likely be work and sleep. Let others know that you may be less responsive during this time. Setting expectations ahead of time can help prevent misunderstandings and reduce stress. Plan time to reconnect with friends and family once your night shifts are over.
It is also helpful to plan everyday responsibilities around your work schedule whenever possible. Tasks such as grocery shopping, laundry, errands, and other household responsibilities are often easier to complete before starting consecutive night shifts.
Taking care of these responsibilities in advance can reduce stress and help you focus on work, sleep, and recovery. Knowing that important tasks are already handled can also make it easier to rest and feel more comfortable during your shift rotation.
💡CU Anschutz Nursing Tip: Consider sleeping with blackout curtains or a sleep mask to block out sunlight. And set multiple alarms to make sure you wake up!
Nights are Different
The pace and atmosphere of a night shift can differ from a day shift, especially depending on what floor you’re working on.
Day shifts typically have many moving parts: rounds, procedures, visitors, interdisciplinary teams, and consistent activity. Nights, on the other hand, tend to be more focused and controlled. Working nights requires a high level of clinical and patient awareness, as unexpected changes can occur at any time.
“I’ve found that night shift often allows for deeper focus on patient care, strong teamwork among staff, and meaningful learning opportunities,” Wlodarczyk says. “The night shift crew truly has its own culture. People who work nights are often incredibly resilient, supportive, and adaptable.”
Have These Essentials
As with any nursing shift, there are some essentials you should bring to get you through the workday: caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks), water, and snacks.
“While coffee can provide a temporary boost, I found that maintaining healthy nutrition and staying hydrated makes a big difference in sustaining energy throughout the shift,” Wlodarczyk says.
And make sure you’re dressed appropriately.
“Wear layers to stay warm,” Copley says. “I found wearing a cotton t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt under my scrubs was best for me.”
You’re Not Doing This Alone
You have your classmates, preceptor, and other healthcare workers with you while working nights. You’re all in this together! Working nights forms a special bond with your colleagues.
“Your team plays a huge role in keeping the energy up and supporting one another throughout the shift,” Wlodarczyk says.
Focus on Your Well-Being
Nursing is physically and mentally demanding, so taking care of your well-being allows you to stay focused and provide the best care for your patients. Make sure you’re getting enough rest, and take time for yourself (go for a walk, exercise, read, etc.)
💡CU Anschutz Nursing Tip: We've compiled a list of ways to alleviate stress and support your mental well-being.
Make the Most of It
Your clinicals are an important learning experience, so make the most of them, no matter what shift you’re working. Night shifts provide opportunities to slow down, think critically, and engage with every patient.
“Our preceptor explained to us that sometimes there’s not a lot going on because patients are sleeping, families aren’t there, or procedures aren’t happening, so he took the initiative to make opportunities for us,” Copley says. “We shadowed certain roles and followed a patient through their time in the ICU and then checked on her the next day.”
Stay busy! Jump in and help wherever needed on the unit.
“Having experience with both day and night shifts was extremely valuable because it allowed me to understand the different rhythms and dynamics that exist across shifts,” Wlodarczyk says. “Night shifts offer a unique environment in the hospital, and experiencing both perspectives helped me develop flexibility and adaptability as a student.”
💡CU Anschutz Nursing Tip: We have a helpful article explaining what else you should know about your clinical rotations.
Healthcare is a 24-Hour Effort
Every shift, day, night, weekend, and holiday plays a critical role in ensuring that patients receive continuous, high-quality care.
“Night shift nurses and healthcare staff bring an incredible level of dedication to their work, and it has been inspiring to witness the teamwork and commitment that exists during those hours when most of the world is asleep,” Wlodarczyk says. “For many nurses, night shift also builds resilience, independence, and strong clinical judgment, which are skills that will serve you throughout your entire career.”
