Can I ask to work exclusively day shifts?

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

One thing to consider with clinics and some procedural areas... You don't necessarily clock out and leave at 5pm. These areas can run late some days, and the nurses leave after the last case is done or the last patient seen.

A parent needs childcare, back up childcare and emergency backup childcare. And the childcare needs to have some flexibility for the days when things run late.

You can apply for day positions, but most available shifts will be nights or rotating shifts.

No, I understand everyone. I haven't taken offense. I'm a planner, even though this is a while down the road, knowing this helps me. I want to make sure asking a potential employer if "day shifts would be available to me", wouldn't make me seem entitled or cause an opportunity to close. Thank you all! Very helpful!

No, I understand everyone. I haven't taken offense. I'm a planner, even though this is a while down the road, knowing this helps me. I want to make sure asking a potential employer if "day shifts would be available to me", wouldn't make me seem entitled or cause an opportunity to close. Thank you all! Very helpful!

Be aware that, in inpatient acute settings, even if you get a "day shift" position, every nursing job description in the world includes some kind of statement that you understand you can be floated to other shifts as needed. A permanent "day shift" position doesn't mean you'll never get assigned to work other shifts.

I honestly don't think that any of the replies were unkind, I think that they were trying to offer realistic advice to OP. Making it sound like it's relatively easy for a new grad to secure a daytime job when that might not actually be the case depending on OP's location, isn't really helpful in my opinion.

About the unasked-for opinions, it's something that you get when you post a question on a forum. They might even be helpful because as someone new to a profession there might be questions that you don't yet know that you need to ask. If OP doesn't find them helpful, she is of course free to disregard them.

I know this is the reality of forum questions, it's just that sometimes I can't help but intervene 🤐 OP, please don't let anyone lead you to believe that you won't find anything. There's no need to tell a budding nursing student that the job hunt will be murderous and that she'll have to be apart from her daughter for long stretches. Jobs like you're looking for do exist and aren't impossible. As I said, with time and patience you have a good shot at finding a job that'll work for you.

Thank you! I appreciate you words of encouragement! I think I'm just going to suck it up and deal with nights and rotating schedules because eventually it will get better. Plus I really want to work in Pediatrics in a hospital. But thank you again!

Maybe you can get support during your years of nursing school. Clinical rotations can be crazy too, so think ahead on how to best deal with childcare. Once you graduate perhaps you can look for work in a clinic setting, or someplace that is not open 24/7. Best of luck!

There are many factors to consider if a day shift position will be possible:

1) The area you live in and the need for day shift nurses

2) The facilities policy considering new grad placement

3) If the facility LOVES grads from your school

I'm sure there's a lot more but one thing that I learned before securing my first RN job is that there are a LOT more openings on the night shift, especially if you are looking for a specific specialty. A daytime position will most likely consider some flexibility into which unit you are offered.

There's no need to tell a budding nursing student that the job hunt will be murderous and that she'll have to be apart from her daughter for long stretches. Jobs like you're looking for do exist and aren't impossible.

I don't think that anyone is saying that it's impossible, just that it might be hard to find that daytime position right out of the gate. OP is about to invest both her time and money and I think it's good to be aware in advance of what might lie ahead and have a viable "plan B" in place. Forewarned is forearmed.

OP, I appreciate your attitude, good luck in your future career!

You could try to get a job in a specialty area (cath lab, dialysis, endo, etc.), but being a new grad that may not be a possibility. Also, some of those specialty areas require you to take "on call" and you have to be available if they call you in the middle o the night. You could also try to get on at a clinic, but the pay won't be as good as it is in a hospital setting. Hope it works out for you!

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

You can ask. Good luck with that.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I'm sorry for all the unasked-for opinions and negativity that some previous posters offered. And to answer your question, yes, days- only jobs absolutely exist. They are many hospitals who even offer 8-4 and such (one that comes to mind is CHOP). And there are always clinics where you can work 9-5. This is what's beautiful about nursing, it's so versatile. you put enough work and effort into looking, you will likely find a position that works for you. Good luck!!

Honestly, I think this is the most unhelpful post yet. It is naive and does not take the current realities of the nursing employment situation for a new grad into account.

I do my best to give realistic answers on this forum. Inevitably, I am accused of being mean and trying to ruin someone's dreeeeam.​ Fantastical, perfect-world answers do way more harm than good.

OP, thank you for your acceptance of the answers that you've received, even if they are thought-provoking. You seem to have a very level head on your shoulders.

If you think working weekdays is best for you, have you considered a non-nursing career such as; occupational therapy, speech language pathology, respiratory therapy etc?

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