Why I Choose to Work the Night Shift
When I was in high school, my parents were in a terrible motorcycle accident. My mom was actually pronounced dead at the scene, but was revived and brought to a hospital in Kansas City. She had to relearn how to walk, count and even write. It was an eye-opening and humbling experience. I remember the close, intricate care that my parents received and knew I wanted to be a part of it.
Fast forward several years later. In January 2012, I started out as a certified nursing assistant on the Solid Organ Transplant Unit (SOTU) at Nebraska Medicine – Nebraska Medical Center. The following year, I graduated from Clarkson College with my nursing degree. I was promoted to lead nurse of the SOTU in February 2014.
I fell in love with the night shift when I first got off orientation. During the day, there is so much hustle and bustle. It’s hard to find time to sit down and chart, let alone talk to our patients. And I mean really talk. Working the night shift allows me to fill that desire to heal holistically. These patients are sick and a lot of them are going through some pretty dark moments. Unless we stop to take it in, we can miss opportunities that change our patients’ lives and mold us into better caregivers.
I also love the night shift because you have to be able to critically think. We typically have five patients on nights, so you can’t spend all your time calling others for advice. You really need to know your stuff to survive on our floor. We are proud of it.
As a transplant nurse, I’ve had my fair share of war stories. Emotions that I wouldn’t trade for anything. One minute, I’m wrestling patients off their spouses when their steroid regimen hits its peak. The next, I’m watching love proclaimed at a makeshift wedding – only to sit with the spouse days later as their loved one takes their final breath.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing old faces stop by and visit the unit, reminiscing about their journey. We truly get to know these patients. Their hopes and fears, for better or worse. This is why I love what I do. Being a transplant nurse is about acknowledging the fact that there’s so much more than our 12 hours shifts. We get to be part of something that is bigger than ourselves – and quite beautiful. We see our patients at the sickest moment of their lives – at their rock bottom – and we’re able to give them the fresh start that transplants provide. After those long days, I remind myself that I choose this because we become a part of their families. And just like family, they will be a part of us for the rest of our lives.
