Landing a Day job as a New Grad

Nurses Career Support

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I graduate in June and am trying my best to get in the mind set of working 12 hour shifts more than once per week. I am very much a morning person - I much prefer to get up early and go to bed early than to be up all night. My question is: Is it unlikely - as a new grad - to start on day shift? I know that night's may get a differential in this area (CA - Inland Empire), and "nights are easier", but neither of those are compelling enough for me to want to work nights. That being said - I'm happy to "do my time" as a new grad -- days are just better for me. Any advice?

Most of the new grad positions I've looked at are for nights. Fact of the matter is, as a new nurse, you won't have as many choices as a nurse with experience. That's not to say that there aren't day shift position for new grads - but you shouldn't set your heart on days and look over night shift positions.

Specializes in oncology/tele/med-surge.

I have started day shift as a new grad with other two more day shift new grad, and one night shift new grad because the night shift nurses did not want to move to day shifts in the unit. Strange.... right? However, I realized the reason later. Day shift was crazy in the unit, and politics involved (Manager all the times). Five staff nurses, one charge nurse, three CNAs, and a unit aid share the same schedule, and every single one was changed except one CNA. The unit aid moved to Endo, one staff nurse moved to ED, one RN moved to outpatient infusion, one staff nurse moved to ICU, one RN moved to outpatient, and I am quitting.

Be careful to get a job as day shift if you are a new grad. It means that night shift nurse do not want to take it, and probably the environment is hostile.

I have started day shift as a new grad with other two more day shift new grad, and one night shift new grad because the night shift nurses did not want to move to day shifts in the unit. Strange.... right? However, I realized the reason later. Day shift was crazy in the unit, and politics involved (Manager all the times). Five staff nurses, one charge nurse, three CNAs, and a unit aid share the same schedule, and every single one was changed except one CNA. The unit aid moved to Endo, one staff nurse moved to ED, one RN moved to outpatient infusion, one staff nurse moved to ICU, one RN moved to outpatient, and I am quitting.

Be careful to get a job as day shift if you are a new grad. It means that night shift nurse do not want to take it, and probably the environment is hostile.

Oh my gosh - that's terrible!!

Clinics or nursing homes might be good places to work day shift.

I prefer nights as it is more peaceful and quiet in our unit. But I'm PM/NOC but mostly PM because none of the nurses here ever want to leave this shift. I'll have to wait until one retires or find another unit. I was offered days once and turned it down. No way. Too crazy. Plus, you can't beat the differential.

I started my first nursing Jon at a SNF on nights. After 2 months I got a job at a local hospital and it was a day shift position. My experience was never hostile. In fact I learned so much starting on days. Loved it and am back on days again as a travel nurse.

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