I wrote “Night Shift” as a result of working many nights as an RN.

The poem was published in my book “Poetic Expressions in Nursing…Sharing the Caring” in 1991.

Dedicated to Night Shift Nurses: Past, Present, Future!.

Night Shift

by

Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN

Night Shift…

So dear to me

Despite

Its circadian disruption.

The nocturnal rhythms

sublime,

So inviting, so relaxing…

Making rounds, with flashlight in hand

and night vision intuition,

The serenity envelops me…

Side rails up, call bells within reach

Bedsides tidy

Breathing in sequence…

Snores and noises

(unspeakable during prime time)

status quo during night shift…

Gentle and peaceful,

Those who by day

lurk and cry and pester

And now are compliant!

And yearn for peace as well…

Alas,

Time to review and verify

and stuff and thin the charts,

Time to read the Progress Notes!

Finally a time to put it all together

Like spies looking for the clues of their lives

And if one is truly lucky

There are some chosen patients

Who decide

It is time

during night shift,

to ventilate

truly share

opening up the dam

of their fears, thoughts, feelings…

Even sharing stories.

Enhancing our knowing.

Oh please, I yearn for these nights…

When the nature of nursing

facilitates the connection of lives.