Are New Nurses Given Bad Shifts / Hours???

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 6, 2008

Any nurse who moves into a new job takes the position that is available. If that position is one with horrible hours, then they get horrible hours. A friend of mine who has nearly 30 years of high quality experience moved to another city early this year and the "line on the schedule" that was open was one with an absolutely punishing rotation. She had to wait until another position became vacant and then take her chances on getting it because she had no seniority in that ER.

Because nursing is a 24/7/365 job, someone has to work nights, weekends and holidays. It depends so much on the culture of the individual wards who takes the brunt of that. Places that spread it out so that no one is given all the rotten shifts and schedule them fairly tend not to have much turnover... Other units that have rampant favoritism and a cadre of staff who never get rotten shifts and another that work them all are always looking for new staff. And the types of positions that don't require nights, weekends and holidays aren't easy at all to obtain right out of nursing school.

Max_108 · Aug 11, 2008

Thanks for the reply. Its almost like if you end up with a bad boss, you will want to quit and work somewhere else. One person having to work all the holidays is just not fair.

NurseJR08 · Aug 12, 2008

New nurses are often given the night shift, but like the last person said, it depends on what is open. I went into the PACU and I work Mon-Fri 9-6. I dont really have any complaints about it :) I will be on call starting in the fall, but I think its worth it to always have weekends off! when you apply for a job it usually says what shift it is for, so if you can find one for a day shift then go for it! :)

southernbelle08 · Aug 12, 2008

I wanted to work night shift, so I can't really say I got a horrible position. I guess it depends on the hospital and the location, but most everyone I graduated with got the shift they wanted. I was shocked so many got day shift positions. So I'd say it all depends but if there is crap to be handed out, the newbie will more than likely take it.