Cherish on…. Night shifts as a Student Nurse Mummy.

Night one.
Procrastination over preparation. Tonight is my first night shift. I am excited to see the ward at nighttime, and looking forward to experiencing my first night shift. I know that I need to get some sleep in the afternoon before my night shift, but the huge ironing pile that has been staring at me for days was just too tempting, and I spent my valuable sleeping time ironing school uniform. It didn’t stop there. I then rearranged 3 of my kitchen cupboards and cleaned all of the tiles in my bathroom. I know that I am the worlds best proscratinator and this is something that I need to improve on. I dropped my children off at my sisters who was having them to sleep over and set off to work. Upon arriving at work I was greeted by all the day staff and had my first ever handover for a night shift. Everything about this handover was different than the usual night to day handover that I am so used too and it took more energy to register what was being said, and took a little longer to ensure that I had all of the information that I needed. The nurses were very patient with me though, and didn’t mind my questions. They really do support my learning and I am so grateful for them. I had a chat with the nurse that I was assigned too for that night, and we discussed my breaks for the shift. As I had not done a night shift before it was great to get some advice of what works best for breaks. I decided that instead of taking one break for an hour, I would split my breaks up and have 3x 10 min breaks, and then one ½ hour break. I had only been at work for one hour and I yawned. It really unnerved me. I had a little panic to myself, then started one of those silly arguments that you have in your head with yourself: regretting the kitchen cupboard organising and wishing I had had that slept. 2 ½ hours into my shift and I decided to have one of my ten minute breaks. I came off the ward and outside. I felt so much better after having some fresh air, I came back onto the ward, made myself a coffee and felt great. I decided that I would take another 10 min break in 2 hours, and carried on with my tasks. It was really good to go around with the nurse at medication time. I have not yet witnessed night time medications, and there were lots of PRN and controlled drugs to be administered. This was a great learning experience, and is also one of the aims that I had set with my tutor. I was that wrapped up in medication and having the opportunity to ask the nurse all about the medications, that my planned next 10 min break came and went. It was 2am before I felt like I needed a breather, so off I went outside for my air and I took my coffee. My first night shift was over before I knew it. I got home and took my children to school, then got into bed where I had probably the best ‘days’ sleep of my life.
Night 2.
After an amazing sleep, I was up and raring to go. On the way to work I was thinking of all the things that I learnt the previous night, and excited for the opportunity to learn even more. My expectations did not disappoint. I met one of the site managers who came onto the ward to see if we were all OK and if we required any assistance. I spoke with her for a while, and she let me know her role and all of the fascinating tasks and variety of things that she comes across. I realised straight away that this would be a great learning opportunity. I felt elated when she welcomed me to work with her team and was really positive about the Nurse Apprentice Programme. I admire this active leadership and willingness to ensure that students have every opportunity they can to advance in their learning. The 4am sugar craving hit me like a ton weight and I raided all the staff chocolate supplies. I realised from this that I need to prepare my hydration and nutrition for night shifts, and chocolate is an essential component! I finished my second night shift, again really pleased with all that I had learnt and got home in time to take my children to school. I was even more tiered than the previous night and when I got home to find that my Mum had done all of my housework including the washing and ironing I was amazed. There she stood in my kitchen halo and wings. My angel mother sent to save me from my nocturnal delusion.

Night 3
My third and final night. I was confident now that I understood the running of the night shift, and this was evident in my contribution to care. I was much more efficient and felt more relaxed. Although we were shorter staffed than previous nights, we worked so closely together that this did not have an impact on our patients, and I felt so grateful to work with a brilliant team that really valued each other and supported each other in this way. As with any shift day or night, patients can decline and patients can improve. This night shift was the perfect example of this, having the opportunity to take time to see this from beginning to end is vital for me in my learning. I felt well supported, included and valued. I am grateful that the Nurse Degree Apprenticeship gives me so many hours of learning time that I know I can do many more night shifts and really broaden my knowledge. As this night shift draws to a close I’m looking forward to getting home and getting my children off to school. I am ready to see their smiling faces and they think its amazing that their Mummy is working all night to make sure that patients are feeling better. I get home and get them ready for school. I glance at myself in the mirror and I am defiantly looking more Count Dracula than Florence Nightingale but anyway, off we go to school. We chat all the way to school and my girls tell me that they are glad I will be at home that night. I promise them their favourite tea and we look forward to it. Then I spot her, ‘Movie Star Mum’. Movie star Mum has a perfect blow dry, face full of the most perfect make up and is dressed like a fashion icon (hence the movie star Mum title). Beautiful high heels at 8.30am on a Thursday morning and she is glowing. We exchange our normal ‘Hi, How are you?’ And my 5 year old can’t wait to let the world know that her super Mummy has been working nights. Movie Star Mum’s reply…”awwwww poor you”. I smiled an carried on walking. As I walk home, I reflect on Movie Star Mum’s reply. I don’t need a sympathetic poor you. I am elated! I have worked 3 consecutive night shifts, I have so much more knowledge than I did three days ago, have confidence in myself, and a huge sense of achievement. I may look a bit haggard in my worn out sketchers, comfy old jeans and cosy hoody, but that doesn’t mean I’m not bursting with pride. I have got this, I am doing this, and I am borderline superhuman. In fact this Student Nurse Mum, feels on the inside, how Movie Star Mum looks on the outside. P.s, I’m also a bit of a clip removing, dressing changing, catheter Queen.

Super-Nurse Mummy and her team.

5 Things I am grateful for:

1 – My ward manager organising my night shifts before the children started the summer holiday’s – I would have really struggled to sleep in the day if they were at home!
2- The amazing person that left shortbread and chocolate biscuits for the night team on night number 3. These were appreciated more than you will ever know.
3 – The Registered Nurse’s, CSW’s, Site Managers and Doctor’s that all welcomed my learning with open arms, and went out of their way to ensure I got the most out of my shifts.
4 – My family – for taking care of my children, keeping my spirits high, and washing pile low.
5 – Movie Star Mum: for bringing glamour to the school playground, and making me realise that I am just as fabulous as you are.