Hospital at Night Are There Any Benefits

Working at night – Are there any benefits? – by Fiona Shearer & Hannah Naasan

Working at night has been a controversial idea since the “Hospital at Night” concept was introduced four or five years ago. In this short article we will attempt to show you there are some benefits to working at night whilst acknowledging the system is not perfect.

The most invaluable aspect of night shift is the opportunity to get heavily involved in managing sick patients without the distractions of worrying about routine daytime tasks such as requesting MRI scans, attending formal teaching or checking all the blood results for the ward. Nights provide excellent chances for assessing sick patients and implementing initial management. This allows you to develop skills in leadership, patient care, independent practise and to increase knowledge. In addition, nights offer the opportunity for one to one teaching from seniors who become involved in the patient care. There is also more likelihood of developing new skills overnight including central line insertion, arterial lines, etc. (all under appropriate supervision of course).

In the new era of assessments, assessments and more assessments, it can be difficult to get all the necessary forms signed. Night shifts again offer the opportunity to work closely with seniors and other members of the multi-disciplinary team which can make getting assessments completed less of a chore.

Night shifts often include periods of inertia when there is opportunity to relax in the mess with a cup of coffee. This brings with it the opportunity to meet people from other specialties allowing you to increase the network of people you know. This can be of benefit when you are asked to make a tricky referral! The quieter periods of night shift also offers opportunity for studying if exams are looming.

Finally working at night epitomises team work and allows you to develop all the skills you need to work within the multi-disciplinary team.