What do you do?

One of the most common questions I get when I tell people I work overnights is "what do you do?"

I work on a mobile crisis team. I do suicide prevention, substance abuse treatment, domestic violence and any other kind of "crisis" work that presents itself throughout any given night. We cover a county of about 3.5 million people and work on two-person teams.

So what do you do?
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Replies

  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    XlanC - That sounds more of a labor of love than anything else. Some how talking people off the ledge or out of a fight seems like putting yourself right in harms way.

    I work an overnight Veterinary Emergency clinic. A lot of lacerations, bite wounds and a LOT of vomit/diarrhea. Every so often we end up with some really cool stuff but it beats working day practice where the stuff is always the same.
  • XianC
    XianC Posts: 93
    Well we don't put ourselves in harms way. If someone's on a ledge, generally the police are there before us and will just take the person to a higher level of care. If it's DV, police will be on scene and already have someone in custody. The calls we get are mostly secured scene calls. Either the people are calling themselves (and if we need police to come with, we stage with them) or the police or fire department are already there and things are safe to go in. We never roll up on people with weapons or who are being actively aggressive.

    Reading your stories in the overnight thread has definitely been interesting. Those oddball cases you get can be pretty interesting. I can see how doing that on the overnights would be more interesting than days.
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    There's a lot of stuff I don't post because I don't want to offend people. An example would be the cat that was shot in the face with an arrow and was still alive when it came in. We had to put it down.
  • LynneMarie1773
    LynneMarie1773 Posts: 8 Member
    Hi, I am a critical care nurse. I work 3 X 12 hour shifts per week 7p to 7 a. My biggest challenges are late night snacking and not having motivation/drive to exercise also making good food choices that usually require shopping meal prep cleaning planning which can be challenging when fatigued. Also, families patients staff and such will often bring in treats or unhealthy food rewards on holidays or for jobs well done. Hard to resist temptation when you're stressed and hungry and need a quick sugar boost. I have lost about 12 lbs so far using mfp for approx 1 month....hoping to lose 70-80 lbs. cheer shift worker, losing weight for us is especially challenging but possible through planning and calorie counting.
  • RyanJK85
    RyanJK85 Posts: 580 Member
    I am a dispatcher for a trucking company...Love working nights!
  • jennpaulson
    jennpaulson Posts: 850 Member
    I am a dispatcher/operator for the traffic management division of State Highway Administration. We assist motorists who run out of gas or break down, by staying behind them so no one else hits them, giving them a bit of gas to be able to make it to the gas station, give them water if they're overheating, pushing them out of the travel lane and onto the shoulder if they break down in the road, etc... We also assist the various law enforcement divisions and fireboard when they have lanes blocked for accidents or any activity. Also we manage all the roadwork that is going on, and (try) to make sure they are set up properly and have all the appropriate signs and safety devices out. We also take calls for dead animals, high water, ice and or snow, pot holes and debris in the road. I love my job (most of the time).
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    I've often wondered who gets to clean up the dead deers when they get hit. Nasty job.
  • ctalimenti
    ctalimenti Posts: 865 Member
    I am a home care nurse for patients with trachs/vents. I work 3 12 hr shifts (7p-7a) weekly.
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    What are Trachs? Tracheotomy?
  • ctalimenti
    ctalimenti Posts: 865 Member
    What are Trachs? Tracheotomy?

    Yes, tracheostomy.
  • ctalimenti
    ctalimenti Posts: 865 Member
    XlanC - That sounds more of a labor of love than anything else. Some how talking people off the ledge or out of a fight seems like putting yourself right in harms way.

    I work an overnight Veterinary Emergency clinic. A lot of lacerations, bite wounds and a LOT of vomit/diarrhea. Every so often we end up with some really cool stuff but it beats working day practice where the stuff is always the same.

    My dad was a vet for 40 yrs in Michigan. As a kid/teen I'd observe dozens of different procedures. Common thing up there is Porcupine quills. I also used to bring home puppy dog tails when I was little.
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    We don't dock as many tails as we used to but I can still remember when I first started working at a veterinary office one of the techs kids would take the puppy dog tails home. :-)
  • rusav
    rusav Posts: 11 Member
    Hi Everyone! I've been a Registered Nurse for over 5 years now and I have worked in different settings of health care currently, I care for terminally ill patients. I work between 9 pm - 7 am 3-4 times/ week.
  • RyanJK85
    RyanJK85 Posts: 580 Member
    Welcome to the group :)
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    Wow, caring for terminally ill patients would be hard. I admire you for being able to do that.
  • rusav
    rusav Posts: 11 Member
    Welcome to the group :)

    Thanks ;-)
  • rusav
    rusav Posts: 11 Member
    Wow, caring for terminally ill patients would be hard. I admire you for being able to do that.

    That's encouraging to hear right now. Yes it's hard sometimes but all you can only do is your best.
  • knekno
    knekno Posts: 20 Member
    I'm another RN--7p-7:30a (at least) 3 days a week. Never the same 3 days week to week! I've always worked nights, did 2 years of "regular" 8 hr shifts, and have been doing the 12s for a little over 24 years.
    I'm a chronic lurker, will be trying hard to add to the conversations. Nice to meet you all.
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    I work Swing shift in a railroad dispatch center monitoring the signal system and calling out people for trouble issues. Two night shifts a week Mon/tues.
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    Welcome KneKno. Look forward to more people lurking here. :-)
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    Just stuck a new profile picture on. Any guesses as to what's in the stomach of this dog?
  • knekno
    knekno Posts: 20 Member
    Is the arrow an X-ray marker or part of the "thing"?
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    It's just a marker. Trying to show the client what was in there. It's really kind of funny when you find out. The dog should be able to pass them but I'm still laughing. :laugh: :laugh:
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    It's just a marker. Trying to show the client what was in there. It's really kind of funny when you find out. The dog should be able to pass them but I'm still laughing. :laugh: :laugh:
  • Hi all! Just joined group. I'm a public safety officer at a private university working 11pm-7am. I love seeing what other night shifters do.
  • Hey! :) I work 630pm-730am.. im a nurse tevh on a medical surgical floor, which requires alot of movement and strength. I am struggling with when I should be eating.. my appetite is all over the place. I never work a set schedule. So I just cant get used to it. Help!
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member
    Hey! :) I work 630pm-730am.. im a nurse tevh on a medical surgical floor, which requires alot of movement and strength. I am struggling with when I should be eating.. my appetite is all over the place. I never work a set schedule. So I just cant get used to it. Help!

    Oh man isn't that the truth! You eat when you can and tank up because you never know when the next case will take HOURS! That's one of my biggest problems. I got so used to just grabbing what I could. Now I'm still grabbing meals as time permits but I had to quit grabbing frozen burritos and burgers and start grabbing salad and healthy frozen food I can just pop in the microwave. I have no idea who invented the microwave but I could give them a big hug. :laugh:
  • Hey! :) I work 630pm-730am.. im a nurse tevh on a medical surgical floor, which requires alot of movement and strength. I am struggling with when I should be eating.. my appetite is all over the place. I never work a set schedule. So I just cant get used to it. Help!

    Oh man isn't that the truth! You eat when you can and tank up because you never know when the next case will take HOURS! That's one of my biggest problems. I got so used to just grabbing what I could. Now I'm still grabbing meals as time permits but I had to quit grabbing frozen burritos and burgers and start grabbing salad and healthy frozen food I can just pop in the microwave. I have no idea who invented the microwave but I could give them a big hug. :laugh:


    its honestly killing me! Let me just say the extra weight ive gained can only be blamed on my poor eating decisions. I need to learn to try to eat veggies, fruits and salads and other health foods. Im always so under calories because , my appetite is all over. I have a bad habit of not eating. Thats probably the worst thing I could do. So its either poor decisions or under eating. :/
  • sufferlandrian
    sufferlandrian Posts: 8,244 Member

    Oh man isn't that the truth! You eat when you can and tank up because you never know when the next case will take HOURS! That's one of my biggest problems. I got so used to just grabbing what I could. Now I'm still grabbing meals as time permits but I had to quit grabbing frozen burritos and burgers and start grabbing salad and healthy frozen food I can just pop in the microwave. I have no idea who invented the microwave but I could give them a big hug. :laugh:


    its honestly killing me! Let me just say the extra weight ive gained can only be blamed on my poor eating decisions. I need to learn to try to eat veggies, fruits and salads and other health foods. Im always so under calories because , my appetite is all over. I have a bad habit of not eating. Thats probably the worst thing I could do. So its either poor decisions or under eating. :/

    I tried the not eating thing. That would lead to binge eating later. Besides, it slows your metabolism. I really hate feeling like a rabbit. I try to mix up the fruits and veggies with other foods but soups, lentils and higher protein low carb frozen stuff has helped quite a bit. There are still nights like last night where we sent someone to Wendy's but now I have the chicken instead of the double baconator. I don't feel as bad about it since I picked up my exercise. We have a treadmill and I was able to put my bike on a stand at work and about 3 AM when things slow down I can get in a ride or a walk. That helps both burn the calories and it doesn't leave me sitting around thinking about food.
  • Binge eating isnt an issue for me. Im just not hungry or dont have an appetite for anything. My body just cantkeep up with my work schedule. So I have to figure out a schedule thatworks regardless if I work or not. Because when im off, I sleep at night. Then sleep all day when I work. AHHH, so much back and forth!

    downloaded another app like MFP, called noom coach. Its really helpful too. Im definitely not a calorie counter, I struggle with keeping up with the food log. But on noom coach, I type it in andit brings everything up for me. So maybe between the 2, I can keep up.