Indecision!

[CountrifiedRN]

I am going into my last semester of an ADN program, and one of the local hospitals sent recruiters to our school at the end of last semester. I have a packet with an application, and since I'm pretty sure I would like to work at this hospital, I want to get started on it and turn it in since I heard that the hospital will only hire so many new grads at a time, so if I wait I might not get a position.

But the problem is that on the application they ask for your availability, and what unit you want to work in. I'm still up in the air about what shift would work best for me, and I still don't have a clue as to where I would want to start. I don't want to seem indecisive on the application, even though that's exactly what I am!

Does anyone have any pros and/or cons for what shift is good to start on? I was thinking that days might be better because there are more procedures being done at that time, and I would get more experience.

And as for what unit - ??? I think I would like to eventually go into either ER or OR, but I'm not sure. The hospital has different units for medical pts and surgical pts, and their surgical units are split into the different specialties, so it doesn't seem like there would be much variety in choosing one of those units. You pretty much see the same things each day.

Any suggestions?

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Yes just put negotiable for time available or if you have a pay desired area, same for start date. That is usually what I put in.

renerian

[DIPLOMATICRN4HIRE, MSN, RN]

Pick an area that you feel you would enjoy, and apply for that area. You never know it you just might get what you asked for. The shift will vary but apply for what you want and maybe you will get it. Good Luck

Zoe

[micro, RN]

well you are probably not going to get any regular hours on days.........

now you could probably get a variety of hours if you have the flexibility and willingness to work any hours.....

second and thirds are the hardest hours that this field has to fill.....

good luck and flexibility is the key.....

micro

[Genista, BSN, RN]

I started on pm shift as a new grad. I think it's a nice shift to start on, if you are agreeable. You get good experience, but it's usually not as crazed as day shift (I went to day shift after 1 year of med/surg pms). Good luck in your job search! Hope you find a nice unit & shift. :)

[CountrifiedRN]

Thanks for the input everyone. I guess I am just nervous about choosing one thing over another when I am not sure. I was hoping to get a better idea of what interests me after this semester when we will be doing an ER rotation. But I feel like I'm running out of time.

I think it might be a good idea to go talk to a recruiter in person. Maybe I can get a better idea of what they will offer to a new grad.

Thanks again!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

General Med Surg is always a good place to get plenty of experience if you're undecided, you will get the variety of patients that you see in the ER and OR too.

There is no ideal shift. Depends on the nurse. 3-11 fit me well physically, but was very isolated as my boyfriend and other friends worked daytime hours. Days is just too dang early, getting up way before the sun is exhausting, plus it's horribly busy. Nights is exhausting. 12 hour shifts can be hard, especially back to back. The only good shift is no shift and winning the lottery. LOL

Remember, the market is in your favor, you don't have to live for very long with any choices you make.

Good luck!

[CountrifiedRN]

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

General Med Surg is always a good place to get plenty of experience if you're undecided, you will get the variety of patients that you see in the ER and OR too.

There is no ideal shift. Depends on the nurse. 3-11 fit me well physically, but was very isolated as my boyfriend and other friends worked daytime hours. Days is just too dang early, getting up way before the sun is exhausting, plus it's horribly busy. Nights is exhausting. 12 hour shifts can be hard, especially back to back. The only good shift is no shift and winning the lottery. LOL

Remember, the market is in your favor, you don't have to live for very long with any choices you make.

Good luck!

You've just summed up how I feel about each of the shifts! I have worked the 3-11 before and loved the hours, but it doesn't fit in with my family's schedule. I also think 12 hr nights would be exhausting, and I am really not a morning person. I am hoping that there will be 8 hr shifts available, because I'd rather do an 8 hr than a 12 hr, but I'm not holding my breath.

If only we had a lottery in NC!