New grad/bad economy, bend over and take it?

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

The facts:

-A friend of mine did an employee referral for me to get a job at her hospital

-The referral was not for a specific position

-They emailed me last week and requested I do a personality test

-I did the personality test and passed (thanks to many of you)

-This week, I got a phone call from corporate and they did a mini interview with me via the phone

-At the very end of the phone call, the person said, "by the way, this is a night shift position"

-I was kind of caught off guard, since I never applied to a specific position, and voiced that night shift is not my first choice but explained I am still interested and do not want to pass up an opportunity in this economy

-He replied by saying this is the only new grad opening in the entire hospital

-He ended the phone call by saying he was going to forward my info over to the hospital HR and they would call me next week to set up an interview

Why I ask, "new grad/bad economy, bend over and take it?":

The way he replied by saying, this is the only new grad position in the entire hospital left me feeling like, "okay, I'm a new grad (and this economy sucks), I guess I have to bend over and take what ever they want to give me."

I'm writing to you all because I don't know how to go from here. Do I pretend that I'm all about the night shift and this is my first choice or do I go the open and honest route and express that while the night shift is not my first choice, I'm willing to give it a shot for at least a year (which is true)?

Typically, my philosophy on the employer-employee relationship is that the position should be a good fit for both the employer and the job seeker has the right to express their needs in an interview. However, since there are so little jobs available and new grads are treated like lepers, should I be willing to forfeit my rights and settle on the "bend over and take it" philosophy (and smile as I do so)?

I know there are a bunch of new grads who will say, "yes, I've been looking for a job for a long time don't be an idiot, bend over and take what they are offering and smile, don't forget to smile!" I honestly wouldn't blame anyone for saying this exact quote to me.

I should add, I know the night shift isn't a death sentence and many people really like it but I know myself and I am really sensitize to sleep deprivation and I really need sunlight to feel happy. In the winters, I deal with seasonal affected disorder and it scares me to think what little to no sunlight would do to me. This is my only concern with the night shift but I think it is a substantial one, considering it involves both my health and my happiness.

Insight and constructive criticism are welcome and I thank you all in advance.

[Mommy2NQ]

I would take it if I were you...at least you have your foot in the door :)

[mediatix8]

All he told you was the truth. This is the only open new grad position in the hosital. A simple, truthful statement. He didn't tell you to bend over and take anything. But seriously, if you're that sensitive to sleep deprivation then you should just be honest and don't do it. I LOVE nights and am a night person, but even I had a hard time for the first year or so. I've seen people who thought they could do it and ended up falling asleep in their cars on the way home and had to quit. But then again, this could be your only job opportunity so it's up to you how important it is to be a nurse.

[caliotter3]

You do not have to be a new grad to feel inconsequential and the economy is going to be whatever it is at any given time. If offered a job you are lucky. You should accept the offer unless you have multiple offers on the table at the same time.

[llltapp]

There is nothing wrong with you going to the interview and telling them you would like to be considered for a day shift as soon as one becomes available. Just know, that you may have to wait until those with more seniority get the shifts they want. Working nights at first isn't a bad idea. I have worked all shifts and its nice to see how the "other half lives." It makes you think twice when you start bashing the "other shift" :)

[Black Jade, BSN, RN]

Most New Grads positions are night shift. I don't know how long you have been trying to search for a job, but if I were you, I would take it and try to find a way to manage your sleep deprivation and SAD. Especially since you don't know when you will have another opportunity like this. Try it out for at least a year and when there is a daytime position ask to see if you can be transferred.

[NurseLil-lea]

I would take the night Job. Some say nights is better for new grads anyways. You have time to learn :).

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Noyesno, you got a PM...

[roser13, ASN, RN]

There is nothing wrong with you going to the interview and telling them you would like to be considered for a day shift as soon as one becomes available. Just know, that you may have to wait until those with more seniority get the shifts they want. Working nights at first isn't a bad idea. I have worked all shifts and its nice to see how the "other half lives." It makes you think twice when you start bashing the "other shift" :)

Strongly disagree with this advice. No night shift manager in their right mind would want to hire an applicant who has already made it clear that they intend to leave ASAP. I'm making the logical assumption that, in this market, you are not the only new grad interviewing for this one position. Which applicant will get the job?

The one who says:

"I am very interested in this position"

or the one that says:

"While I want my foot in the door of this unit/facility/hospital, this shift really sucks and I will leave you as soon as I am able"?

I am not saying to lie and gush about how excited you are about the night shift position, I'm just saying to keep an open mind if you intend to pursue the position. Who knows? You just might be OK for a while. I have always heard that a new grad will do very well to start out on nights where the pace might be somewhat slower.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I agree w/ the rest. It seems irrational to pass up a job if you need one. The likelihood of being offered a day position seems so slim as to be closer to nil, but of course there is always a chance. Let's assume for the sake of argument that you are able to get such a position in the next year. Ask yourself, would you like to spend the next year gaining experience and earning some money, or spend it sitting on the couch or working at the supermarket? The next year is going to go by either way. You will have to decide what you want to do with it. Good luck.

[red2003xlt, LPN]

Take the job is offered, work 12 months, then transfer to dayshift.

BTW:This is underhanded; they should have mention the shift in the vey beginning.

Take it.

[feisty]

Night shift is difficult on ones health, but there are things you can do to prevent some of the problems. Working 12 hr nights for 3 nights each week leaves 4 days that you can catch some rays. I work 6 straight days and I am often found outside in the evening after I wake up. Thirty minutes of being outdoors is refreshing and helps alter your mood. Healthy diet and exercise are also important. The biggest problem I face is sleeping. Make certain you have a dark, cool, quiet room to sleep in during the day and do not let others monopolize your sleep time.

You will never know whether nights are doable unless you try them. You can put in for an available day shift when one becomes available.