Can I ask to work exclusively day shifts?

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I am going to start my nursing program in the fall. I know down the road I will be applying for my first nursing job, but I am a single mom. Normally, I wouldn't be picky about my work schedule, and I would just take what I can get-- especially on a new job. But my daughter will be about 3 when that time roles around, and I highly doubt I can work night shifts, 3p-3a, 7p-7a, or have a crazy schedule where I have a night shift and then a day shift.... Can I ask for exclusively day shifts since I am a single mom? I don't care what days during the week I get. I don't want to come off like I think I'm entitled to day shifts... What can I do?

P.S. I know a lot of single moms do work night shifts, but I don't have the support system to do so.

Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.
Whatever you do, if you want to work days don't ever agree to working nights. It is much easier to get placed in a job working days than to move from nights to days. Even if they say they will swing-shift you, say "I need strictly days". Just trust me on this one. If you give an inch, they will take a mile.

Two places that I've had a day job at; I started on the noc shift. I guess my state is different; there are no rotating shifts and we promote from within. Many hospitals hire from within first. LTC and SNF always hire new grads...it's the work that is required that is scary sometimes. Good luck

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I don't want to give too much information about myself on this website but I am in a location in Georgia where I can comfortably apply to jobs in Metro Atlanat or Rural Georgia. Does anyone know how the job outlook is for RN, BSN in that area? I'm guessing there are plenty of opportunities.

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I don't want to give too much information about myself on this website but I am in a location in Georgia where I can comfortably apply to jobs in Metro Atlanat or Rural Georgia. Does anyone know how the job outlook is for RN, BSN in that area? I'm guessing there are plenty of opportunities.

If that is your real photo, you should also remove it in the interest of privacy.

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Hello! Yes, you can work day shift as long as you are upfront with your supervisor from day one. It is best to be upfront and tell them that you need to have day shifts due to your changing schedules in watching your child or children. I understand that it can be hard and frustrating at times, but I know that as long as you speak up about it early, the supervisor can work with you on that. They are really good at making sure that you get what you need as far as schedules go. Just be open to what they have to say and do your homework to make sure that this is the right unit for you to work at. Also, keep an open-mind about where and what time works best for you to work. Always have some security like a friend taking the kids when they get sick all of a sudden. It is better to be over prepared than under prepared.

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I can't believe the replies that talk about rotating shifts. What great minds thought that was good for patient care? I am in Ohio and we do not do rotating shifts. Day shifts are harder to find but not impossible.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

One of the hospitals in my area went to all rotating shifts starting with new hires. I don't know if there is an end date when they get to just be days or what. Nightmare. At least where I work, a person starts on nights, stays on nights until their name comes up on the "list".

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I can't believe the replies that talk about rotating shifts. What great minds thought that was good for patient care? I am in Ohio and we do not do rotating shifts. Day shifts are harder to find but not impossible.

:yes: I'm in a neighboring state and have endured rotating shifts in CC and in the ED.

When I worked PICU, it was 50/50 day/night rotation; you had three days off to transition to nights, four-give days off to transition back to days; one had the orphan to swap to mostly days or mostly nights, and permanent shifts were offered based on seniority

Working in the ED, I currently on "rotation" until I've been there for five years or based on seniority; my rotations are mid shift days and mid shift nights, however it's only if needed, and I haven't been rotated for a while due to the need to work the shift I'm on because of an exodus of staffing, and I have suddenly climbed up the seniority ladder.

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I can't believe the replies that talk about rotating shifts. What great minds thought that was good for patient care? I am in Ohio and we do not do rotating shifts. Day shifts are harder to find but not impossible.

Those "great minds" are usually folks who don't ever see a patient, and work M-F 9-5. In my area of the Midwest, staff nurses start by rotating. Day shift is usually a perk reserved for those who stay on one unit more than ten years.

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I will admit I was one of the "negative Nellies" in this conversation.

After reading through the responses I can see I was wrong.

Yes it seems there are plenty of jobs available that will allow you to work day shifts. Though I do think it may limit the OPs options for finding a job.

As others have pointed out, that is what is great about nursing there are so many jobs, options and specialties to choose from.

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You don't mention when you will sleep. You need at least 6 hours, don't you, to feel human? That's 6 consecutively, not an hour here, a couple there, a nap or two whenever. Real sleep, uninterrupted by babies, phones, etc.

Good point. I didnt think about that. If im working at nights then I would sleep during the day. Sleep when baby sleeps. But whatever I do, I would have to make it work because even if I am able to get all morning shifts, it would be hard finding a daycare that would be open from 7-7 and the extra time it takes to leave work and reach the daycare.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I don't want to give too much information about myself on this website but I am in a location in Georgia where I can comfortably apply to jobs in Metro Atlanat or Rural Georgia. Does anyone know how the job outlook is for RN, BSN in that area? I'm guessing there are plenty of opportunities.

You are revealing far too much information about yourself on this site by using your selfie as an avatar. Please change it as soon as possible. Also, your user name may be very close to your real name. Please change that as well.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I can't believe the replies that talk about rotating shifts. What great minds thought that was good for patient care? I am in Ohio and we do not do rotating shifts. Day shifts are harder to find but not impossible.

Probably the same great minds who ascertained that having all of the new grads on the night shift and all of the senior nurses on day shift would be an unsafe practice.

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