Statistically, it takes several years off your life. In my twenties sleep was not a problem. In fact I could work back to back shifts with little sleep. Now, things are different.

Being oncall is probably worse than working nights. Being awakened from a deep sleep to deal with emergencies really takes a toll. Making decisions in the middle of the night and then getting back to sleep was not easy.

I spent 7 of my 42 years in LE on mids. I loved that shift because it was a target rich environment for burglars, armed robbers, domestic batterers, DUI's, dopers, and miscellaneous ne'er do wells. Later as an investigator if I was out in the wee hours it was something significant. The excitement was addictive, the danger real, and the entertainment value, the greatest show on earth. But it is a young officer's province. ER staff had similar experiences. Probably why so many cops married nurses.

quote:

Probably why so many cops married nurses.

And their sense of humor is as warped and/or dirty as most cops. If not worse. It’s a good fit when you find a hot nurse working the night shift, while you’re working the night shift.

I was night shift pump jockey for a few months. Clientele was weirder
the earlier it got.

Well, that was 50+ years ago....
My #2 son has worked night shifts over the last 25+ years, and has massive reasons similar to prior posts on considerable differences from day shift. He prefers being 'a creature of the night' himself as well.

Did whole summer graveyard shift building a dam. Extra bennies made it worthwhile.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: signewt,

I’ve been working nights in the hospital for the past six years and love it for all the mentioned reasons: fewer administrators around, no meetings, no fighting with insurance, work at your own pace, etc. I gelled with the nighttime nurses and we work well as a team. I worked 7-on/7-off (7p-6a) and my sleep was consistent—I just switched back and forth 12 hours at the end of the week. The only thing that I didn’t like was it felt as though the year was moving by twice as fast for me. I’m seriously considering moving to days because of that and a few other reasons.

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Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Then there's those that can actually "work" those hours.
Yeah, they just seem to be a little more "off" than others.

Thank you. I resemble that remark. Hear a lot of vampire jokes too, but I prefer midnights because of the better atmosphere. Always less hassle and fewer pricks from upstairs.

Flying freight at night is a whole lot more peaceful and quiet then during the day. Controllers are a lot more friendly and occasionally a good joke would make the rounds.

It was my favorite shift when I was a young cop. Mids being my favorite. It’s when everything happened. It can also fry a marriage if you’re not careful..

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Originally posted by kimber1911:
Night shift is the best.
As others have stated the bureaucrats are sleeping and work is accomplished without the undo stress.

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It's like the difference between night and day, so to speak....

quote:

Originally posted by Sr_Bull:

quote:

Probably why so many cops married nurses.

And their sense of humor is as warped and/or dirty as most cops. If not worse. It’s a good fit when you find a hot nurse working the night shift, while you’re working the night shift.

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good fit....