Better prospects on nights?

[kiszi, RN]

I'm interested if anyone has found they get more calls back when applying for night shift vs. days on similar units? Reading a lot of threads on the topic has led me to believe it may be more unit-specific. I'm currently looking at ED, progressive care, and tele positions and am aiming for an eventual move to ICU. I have resigned myself to returning to nights after enjoying days for several years. Just curious about experiences with this in whatever specialty.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Most day positions will be filled by the unit's own night staff. Therefore the openings will really be on nights.

[kiszi, RN]

Perhaps that explains why a lot of job postings are ambiguous about which shift. Either that or rotating shifts. "shudder"

[Brewer,RN]

Very few people want to work nights. It's very hard on the body especially considering night workers get on average 1-2 hours less sleep than regular workers. Not to mention the risk for heart disease and certain cancers increases the longer you work nights. Some prefer though, like my brother who has been an ED night nurse for 10 years. Many dayshift nurses I've worked with in the past will complain that nights are so easy, and that night shift nurses get paid way more, and that the job must be so great. Yet when a night position becomes available, they don't apply for it. "Oh I can't I have kids" or "Oh I can't I'm in school." or "" Yet I have worked with countless nightshift nurses that have children, are in school, and work second jobs. People don't want to work nights, because deep down inside they know that shift work is really hard and it sucks. So yes, to answer your question, night positions are in higher demand because they are harder to fill. You will definitely make yourself more marketable if you include your willingness to work nights on your resume. Same concept applies to weekends.