Can I ask to work exclusively day shifts?

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 25, 2016

I have very little support child care wise and I don't think I ever thought about asking for a day shift position because of that. I had to pay half of my salary it seemed like (sometimes literally) for day/night care but I made it happen.
Its good for those considering the nursing profession to be given the reality of today's job market, because people really simply do not know. If I would have done my due diligence and researched before hand, I would have probably chosen a different career.
Just because it sounds desirable to work 3 shifts a week doesn't mean you won't be away from your kid for long stretches of time, because you will.
If in 3 years you still don't think you can do nights/rotating, just don't apply to jobs that state those are requirements. Every job I've ever applied to lists the shift requirements and it makes me scratch my head when people knowingly apply for such a position and then request the opposite.

Exactly. There's no harm in asking, but why start off like that? haha

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · May 25, 2016

Care.com has helpful folks on it and you can do a background check if you desire on whomever you want to watch your child. I've actually gotten jobs there in between travel assignments and it's great!

Care.com has been in the news for their background checks ...or at least one that failed to find history of battery and drunk driving. A baby was killed by an allegedly drunk nanny slamming the baby's head into something.

LeChien, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

This whole post makes me so glad I do not have a child.

OscarTheOwl · May 25, 2016

Care.com has been in the news for their background checks ...or at least one that failed to find history of battery and drunk driving. A baby was killed by an allegedly drunk nanny slamming the baby's head into something.

My God, that is terrible

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 25, 2016

Care.com has been in the news for their background checks ...or at least one that failed to find history of battery and drunk driving. A baby was killed by an allegedly drunk nanny slamming the baby's head into something.

I didn't know that! That's horrible...you can always do your own background check to make sure, I guess.

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

Perhaps its geographical. Where I live, night shifts have very high differentials so everyone wants those jobs. And since when is a day job hard to get? All of my local listings have a shift listed. Maybe I am missing something.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · May 25, 2016

Perhaps its geographical. Where I live, night shifts have very high differentials so everyone wants those jobs. And since when is a day job hard to get? All of my local listings have a shift listed. Maybe I am missing something.

It may be geographical area. . .

Where I work, we do not hire into day shift. There is a 1-2 year waiting list for day shift. And as a reward, you get a huge pay cut to boot.

And there's still a long waiting list.

There are plenty of day shift nursing jobs, but in work that isn't available at night. But if the OP's goal is to work bedside in inpatient specialty (pediatrics) work, that would be unusual. Not impossible, just unlikely.

I admire the OP for checking things out and thinking ahead. It's not like we haven't heard from people who are looking for their first nursing job figuring out that there will be required weekends, nights and holidays!!

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 25, 2016

Perhaps its geographical. Where I live, night shifts have very high differentials so everyone wants those jobs. And since when is a day job hard to get? All of my local listings have a shift listed. Maybe I am missing something.

Nearly every hospital has at least a few day shift open, but they're not hiring for them (or have "already filled them"). Trust me, I've been looking for anything for about a year straight. While most of the jobs are NOC or swing, there are some days available, but every time I fill out an application or speak to a manager myself, I get the door closed in my face.

Thank god for travel nursing:sniff:

xo

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

And you were hired as a graduate nurse into these positions?

I had many years of experience when I applied. But our endo facility hires new grads all the time.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

Depends on the policy of the hospital you get hired and the department. Everywhere I worked it was seniority based. I've worked at hospitals where they told me expect to wait 7 years for a day shift in the ICU and I've worked at hospitals where you came off orientation and they had openings for days. Hard to tell you what your scenario will be.

Yes, it varies. I got off night shift in ICU after 6 months. I was so relieved.

Marothk · May 25, 2016

I guess it depends on where you work...where I work, and other hospitals in my area, usually hire you for specific hours, so having a preference for days or nights shouldn't be a big deal. I guess in other areas it might be, but when I was hired for my last few jobs, both as a PCA and an RN I was asked if I wanted days or nights and my request was honored. I did turn down one position because they were only looking for a day person and I prefer to work nights, but they found a position on another unit that needed night shift. Some places hire flex, or rotating, where you have to schedule so many day shifts and nights in a schedule. It's not special treatment. But it's something you should talk about during the hiring process, not after you get through orientation, then get upset if your schedule is night or rotating.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 25, 2016

Like I said, I AM NOT entitled to day shifts simply because I have a child. I am just curious how it works. I like to know ahead of time because different departments/ specialties are going to have different availability in schedules. I am not asking for special treatment, I'm trying to understand what is appropriate to ask for schedule-wise. Thank you all for your input! I worked as a CNA and I understand how 12 hour shifts work and rotating schedule. I never asked for day shift because the seasoned CNAs deserved them more than I did.

As a CNA, you should know how it works. It isn't appropriate to take a job where there is 24/7 staffing and then ask to take straight days as a new grad. If day shift is really that important to you, look for a position where staffing is required only on the day shift. Of course, those positions pay less as a rule. You have to decide which is more important to you.

You aren't also going to be asking for weekends, holidays and school holidays off, too, are you?

If you haven't even started your program, you have time to get a support system into place. Besides, who is going to watch your child while you're in class or clinicals?