Healing Wisdom from a Hospital Night Chaplain

By DANIEL KIDDER-McQUOWN
Contributing Columnist

Over the past five years, I served as the night chaplain for Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital. This was my first night shift job, though I had been a chaplain most of my career. So when I started, I wondered: Would spiritual care somehow be different at night? Would there be a unique spirit among the night shift?

Some years ago, Trinity Health national leadership sought to expand outreach to the night shift. In March of 2020, I was called to begin this experiment at a flagship hospital, Trinity Health Ann Arbor. I became a Chaplain with the Spiritual Care Department, working exclusively on the overnight shift. The leadership could not have known about the timing; no one knew what was around the corner with the pandemic.

My position was unique because I became part of the night shift at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. Instead of only responding to emergencies, and resting between calls, my job was to round through the entire hospital. I was tasked with building rapport with the staff, providing them care and encouragement. I was to respond to everyday (well, every night) referrals. I was to learn about patients and families, to support the work of the other chaplains during the day. I became the night chaplain with and for the hospital night shift.

Two Hospitals in One

My experience of serving was eye opening, and led to a number of discoveries. One thing I discovered was that hospitals, notably large trauma centers like Trinity Health Ann Arbor, were essentially two hospitals in one. One hospital was the day hospital. This was the hospital most people were familiar with. The other hospital was the night hospital. This was the hospital that continued all its regular functions, but its culture was less well-known, and perhaps less understood.

The two hospitals functioned together as one hospital, night and day together, yin and yang, for the benefit of patients and families.

Most people are aware of the obvious differences. In the day in a hospital, there are more people, more appointments, and more procedures. It is a busy place. At night, there are less people and fewer appointments. Procedures tend to be limited to emergencies. It is a quieter place, at least on the surface.

The Hidden Realities of Night

Most people accepted the night’s patina of calm. However, just under the surface, things were as busy as ever, at least for
staff.

Intensive Care Units, as well as Labor and Delivery, had no difference between night and day. They were busy all the time.

Our Emergency Department was busiest at night. And therefore other departments became busy, as most admissions were made overnight.

And to be honest, the night was short. So many departments started their “day” in the middle of the night, waking up to come in before 5am for the Operating Room, Same Day Surgery, Food Services, Greeters and Hospitality, the list goes on.

Still, at sunset, there was a cover of darkness. It settled over the world. It brought a different energy to the hospital, even for the busiest units.

And with that night energy came perhaps some unique spiritual issues and a unique spirit among the staff.

Dark Night of the Soul

At times for patients and families, nights brought a particular kind of spiritual issue.

As most procedures were performed during the day, patients and families were left at night with anticipatory feelings, such as anxiety and hope. They were left to their own thoughts, as they pondered life-changing surgery or treatment. The withdrawal of extra staff and family overnight could leave patients feeling lonely.

Sometimes, these feelings and thoughts became a “dark night of the soul.” This was a phrase used by Saint John of the Cross in 16th century Spain. It referred to a painful time of spiritual transformation, usually because of a crisis.

Some of my best pastoral visits were in response to these times. A nurse or physician may have referred me to an inconsolable patient. The silver lining was the night allowed the patient and me to spend in-depth time in their dark night of spiritual crisis.

Healing at Night

Throughout my time as night chaplain, I was encouraged by my own faith, especially the stories of hope and healing that happened at night. I often shared these stories with patients, families, and staff.

The washing of the disciples’ feet, and the Last Supper/First Communion (e.g., John 13), happened at night.

In Jewish tradition, the “day” begins at sunset, a reminder that night and day are equally blessed creations (Genesis 1).

One of my favorite stories of encouragement has been Mark 4:35-41, when Jesus calls his disciples out onto the water in boats, at night. A big storm approached, the disciples were filled with fear. God calmed the storm, and the disciples learned an important lesson about faith.

Jesus repeated a similar lesson in Mark 6:45-52.

A favorite story of hope has always been Luke 2:8-20, the appearance of the angel to the shepherds at night, announcing the birth of Jesus.

Camaraderie

Night staff frequently told me they feel a strong sense of camaraderie, especially in their particular unit. While opportunities for hospital-wide gatherings were more limited, there were more opportunities for gathering with unit colleagues. This in turn brought increased peer support, which led to improved retention and patient outcomes.

I was never able to compare the night shift’s sense of camaraderie with that of day shift.

Staff turnover was a constant threat to this sense of camaraderie. It was difficult for all of us. It seemed that just when a sense of “team” was forming in a unit, people might leave. So, there was a constant need to help staff that remained to grieve, as well as provide hospitality and welcome for the staff coming in.

This issue was one of the biggest challenges facing Trinity Health Ann Arbor, and has been a central issue for hospitals in most of the country.

Vocational Clarity

One of my most intriguing discoveries was how working on the night shift may have clarified the vocation of staff.

With more autonomy and camaraderie at night, staff often expressed to me their joy in “getting back to” their calling, and “being able to do what I was called to do in medicine.” There was joy at working together for the common good.

This may have been another silver lining of working the night shift. Nurses, technicians, physicians, and other staff members felt a little more free to pursue their calling, and make the kind of difference they had hoped to make. I’m sure the same happened on day shift, but I really notice it in my role.

Sacrifice

Health care work has always been a sacrifice no matter the shift, and regardless of the role. It has always been a sacrificial vocation, putting others above one’s own needs, and tending to the other’s most basic existence of body, mind, and soul.

Working the night shift had a well-documented additional layer of sacrifice. Numerous studies have shown negative effects for night workers, on physical and mental health. Some studies have shown a reduction in life expectancy. Then there are other sacrifices. Many night staff report less recognition, support, and/or ability to advance. Some report a negative impact on their families.

I Was Blessed

In January 2025, I will leave Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, and will be moving. It was an honor to serve, and to be trusted with the emotional and spiritual vulnerability of so many. I was blessed to be a blessing.

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The Rev. Daniel John Kidder-McQuown is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. You can contact him [email protected].


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