Night float as a psychiatry resident! 💤
In my residency program, second year residents are required to do around 6 weeks of nights this year! Residents are on “night float” for 2 weeks at a time from 8PM to 8AM each night (we get Saturday night off)! Nights can be intimidating at first, but with almost being halfway done with my second year of residency, I’m starting to get the hang of it!
Do you prefer working days or nights?
When I first heard about night float in residency, I admit, I was a little intimidated. It’s not just working nights; it’s completely flipping your schedule for weeks at a time. For those wondering, 'what is night float in residency?', it’s essentially a dedicated rotation where residents cover all patient care needs overnight, from sign-out in the evening until the day team arrives in the morning. It’s designed to ensure continuous coverage and reduce the fatigue that comes from traditional 24-hour call shifts, though it brings its own set of challenges. My typical night starts with a thorough 'sign out from the day team.' This isn't just a casual chat; it’s a critical handover where I get updates on every patient, potential issues, and specific tasks that might arise. It sets the stage for the next 12 hours. From there, my shift often involves being on call for various situations. I might be 'seeing patients in the psych ED,' which means evaluating new admissions, managing acute crises like agitation or suicidal ideation, and coordinating care plans. It’s fast-paced and requires quick thinking, especially when you’re the primary responder. Beyond the ED, I also handle 'emergencies on the medical floor' – often psychiatric consults for patients experiencing delirium, substance withdrawal, or new-onset psychosis in a medical setting. It’s a constant juggle of priorities and clinical decision-making. The real struggle, as many night shift workers in hospitals know, is battling your body clock. Every shift, I find myself thinking about how to 'squeeze in a nap at 3 AM.' Sometimes it's possible in the on-call room; other times, patient needs keep me moving. I’ve learned the importance of creating a dark, quiet space, even if it's just for an hour, to try and rest. Hydration, healthy snacks, and a strong cup of coffee are my best friends. Beyond the physical demands, there's a unique mental resilience required. You're often working with less immediate senior supervision, which pushes you to build confidence and independent problem-solving skills. While it's tough, there's also a sense of camaraderie with the night team, knowing you're all in it together. It’s a challenging but incredibly valuable part of psychiatric residency, teaching me so much about managing acute care and embracing the unexpected.