Need advice- whats good or bad about working second shift!

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 29, 2014

With third shift I go to work from 10:30-7AM, go to sleep around 9AM, wake up around 2-4PM, stay awake then nap about 8-10PM. When I work second shift it's 2:30-11PM, get off and stay awake until 2-4AM, sleep until 12:30PM then get ready and go to work. I feel like I have more time at home, awake when I work third shift but I'm more tired at work especially since it's slower. Second shift I sleep more but have higher energy at work. I don't really have any appointments or anything to do during the day so I prefer second shift, but only in terms of pay I prefer third shift. I don't have any kids either. You moving to second shift depends on your habits and priorities.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

When I was working as an aide while in school, I almost exclusively worked 3-11. It sounds like the perfect shift- there's so much of the day before you have to go into work where you can get things done. In reality, I rarely did anything before work and when you get out it's too late and the rest of the world is asleep. I would come home from work completely wired and then be awake until 3-4 AM. I rarely could get up to do things before work. Plus, in the hospital, 3-11 is statistically the busiest time. When I worked in the hospital we worked a mix of 12s and 8s and, inevitably, every time I worked 3-11, the poo would hit the fan at 7PM and there would be no one around to help because everyone else was either coming or going.

Personally, I'd choose nights over eves but only you can decide what's best for you. And I'd also choose neither because I love my 8-4:30 gig and can't imagine going back to these crazy hours.

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 29, 2014

I liked 3-11 when I was a CNA and a nursing student. The hours fit well into my school schedule.

As a nurse, I had mixed feelings. Parking and rush hour traffic are less of an issue, but working 8 hour shifts means more days a week.

The time before work never felt like free time. I looked at my watch a lot and had to decide if I had enough time or energy to do things before work. The time off before work was more like a countdown. The hours are easier on the body than nights, and that is a big plus.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2014

I work 2nd shift but just part time, so most of my shifts are on the weekend. I do have kids (3 of whom are in school), so I wouldn't be able to work it full-time...I'd never be home when they and my husband are. I actually like it a lot. I'm in the minority it seems--I don't like 12 hour shifts. Where I work, day shift is completely crazy. I oriented on it for a month, and only had 1 patient most of that time and I remember thinking "How does anyone take 2 pts with all this craziness happening?" I worked 11-7 for almost a year and a half, but I was tired all the time. I thought it sounded great--I'll sleep while my oldest kids are in school; either my husband or mother-in-law will watch the younger ones. I'll be there for homework and activities, make dinner and go to bed when they do. In reality I dragged myself through the afternoon motions and was ready to go to sleep by 7 p.m. And then one day of working took up two calendar days...a real pain when you factor in my school schedule and my husband's work-travel schedule.

I switched to 3-11 a few months ago, and I feel like a new person. I still stay up too late, but force myself to lie down by 0100. I get up at 0600 to get the older kids ready for school, and then have a good chunk of time with my little ones. I don't drive in rush hour. I feel reasonably rested, get sick less, and eat less. lol (was constantly hungry when I worked 11-7.) School is so much more manageable now.

The main downsides are that there are more transfers to the floor which take time, and there is more family around the hospital in the evening, vs. overnight.

firstinfamily, RN · Nov 29, 2014

When I worked 3-11 it was part time, I had worked mostly nights previous to this. 3-11 was a very busy shift, it seemed I was always putting out fires left by day shift, and trying to get everything done before nights came in!!! Most of the admissions were on 3-11, it is a very busy shift. I loved it because I could sleep in my bed at night and I am a "evening" type person. I rarely got out on time and usually was awake until 01-0200 and then would sleep until about 10:00 am. I tried to not do too many activities on days that I worked. There are some nurses who can get all kinds of stuff done before going in at 3, but I tried that and I was exhausted sooner during my work shift, so I stopped trying to do everything!!! It is a good learning shift, there is usually a lot of action and if you are a person who feels more "natural" staying up late and sleeping in, it will most likely work for you!!! I am so very envious that you still have 8 hr shifts to choose from!! Good Luck!!

RNKPCE · Nov 30, 2014

Love it but I only work part time or I wouldn't see my husband much. When my kids were young we had minimal childcare 2-4:30p between when I left for work and when my husband got home. Would be hard to do 5 eight hour shifts and have a social life or see your family.

Love that I have no traffic commuting . I usually get home by midnight, shower, read mail, have a snack and in bed by 1am. If I have no plans in the morning I can sleep open ended(no alarm) which is a nice way to wake up without an alarm startling me to death. However I am one of those people that is actually very productive before work. Usually the gym between 8-9am, then errands, chores or lunch with a friend before going in at 3p. But I only work 2 eight hour shifts a week. No major adjustments for sleep on my days off.

When my kids were little I could volunteer at their schools.

Work load usually starts off busy but tapers down as the night goes on. Less doctors rounding, less patients going for procedures.

Statistics where I work show most admissions on second shift but that's part of the job.

LilRedRN1973 · Nov 30, 2014

If I didn't have kids, I would work 3-11 in a heartbeat! Since I only sleep about 5-6 hours anyway, that would give me so much time available to do what I want to do and get those things done that need to get done. I currently work 6pm-6am three nights a week, then an 8 hour shift every other week. I have three kids so those hours work great for me as I sleep while they are in school and I'm home in the mornings for them before school. But 3-11 would be great without kiddos!!