Can I ask to work exclusively day shifts?

Ruby Vee, BSN · 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.

They may list a day shift opening, but usually it's given to a senior employee and the newbie gets hired into the night shift. In forty years, I've only met one nurse who started out on day shift and the bedside, and even she had to trade favors to get that.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

We can't predict the future, but at this point in time, most areas of the US are saturated with new grads who cannot find employment. We hear from folks who have looked for 2, 3 years and have sent out thousands of resumes with no luck. I'm hoping that you're aware of the current situation in nursing and have taken that into consideration as you enter nursing school.

I have not found this to be true. I have found that the new grads I know are finding jobs within 6 months, many right away. I know many new grads who had to pick between several job offers.

Also, at all three of the hospitals where I have had clinical, you are either a night shift or day shift nurse. Never both. Night shift gets a pay differential. Lots of people like night shift because of the extra pay and not having to juggle all the appointments and additional team members during the day. I think you will be fine.

Also, the holiday thing... at the hospitals where I have clinical the standard is that you work one winter holiday, one summer holiday and one weekend per month.

Don't believe the hype. Ask your clinical instructors what their experience is, and ask at the hospitals where you have clinical. As far as getting a job, keep in touch with people as they graduate from your school and ask them. That is your best picture.

KCMnurse, BSN, MSN, RN · May 25, 2016

Everyone's experience is different, however one thing for certain you will need solid day care for your child. Depending on costs, a live-in would be ideal but I know that may not be financially practical. Nursing is a field where your tour of duty can vary wildly and is often unpredictable. It is workable and you are doing the right thing by exploring your options early and planning ahead.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

I know this is the reality of forum questions, it's just that sometimes I can't help but intervene ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ 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.

Seriously? This forum is filled with stories of new grad nurses who can't get ANY job, and you want to advise someone who hasn't finished nursing school- let alone passed the boards- that they can segue into a much sought after day job without experience?

Julius Seizure · May 25, 2016

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

Yup, that's how I got started traveling. Couldn't take the 8 year waiting list on night shift.

DeeAngel · May 25, 2016

Let me speak bluntly. Being a single mother of young children does not make you special or worthy of special treatment more than an unchilded person or those with grown children. Lots of nurses are single mothers, already employees and have more seniority than you do. The majority of workers want day shift with as few weekends as possible, I suggest you get in line and wait your turn just like your predecessors did. If you are just starting your nursing program you have years to get it together and get a support system in place.

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

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?

Why not? If there is a job listing for 7-3 or 7a-7p and I apply for it, why should I expect to work nights after I am hired? This doesn't make any sense to me.

jeaster191 · May 25, 2016

Like a lot of other people stated, it probably depends where you live. I just graduated with my ADN RN a week ago, and I have had a job lined up since March. It's straight days. In my area, the hospitals and even LTC companies list the shifts with the hours you'd be working. I really wanted to be days (I have worked nights or rotating shifts as a CNA for 5 years), then when I was in school for my RN and an LPN I took a prn job where I picked my hours. PRN is a great option-other than the fact that there are no benefits. good luck! There's lots of options for you! Where I work in LTC, most of the RNs start on days.

jeaster191 · May 25, 2016

I agree. Unless I am picking up an extra shift, or asked to work an overnight, why would I expect to have regularly scheduled nights?

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

I was exceptionally lucky and got hired into a district nursing role straight after graduation. Usually a nurse needs 3+ years of post grad experience before anyone would consider them for the role.

The hours of work were technically 0800-1630.

That said. Most days I was on the road at 0730, even earlier if I had visits that were along way from home or the office as for finishing at 1630, I think I could count on the fingers of one hand the times in 2 years I finished on time. A nine hour work day was common. And if a palliative patient needed a syringe driver put up, then I stayed until the work was done

Good luck OP. I would have hated to have to wrangle my day job with the demands of being a single parent and the demands of the job

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 25, 2016

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!!

As someone who worked at the facility that you named, inpatient and outpatient, new grads are usually on a rotating shift; there was no 8-4 shift that you soak of, at that was in the clinics, and even then they have late nights; there is not always a "fixed schedule". :no:

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 25, 2016

I have not found this to be true. I have found that the new grads I know are finding jobs within 6 months, many right away. I know many new grads who had to pick between several job offers.
Also, at all three of the hospitals where I have had clinical, you are either a night shift or day shift nurse. Never both. Night shift gets a pay differential. Lots of people like night shift because of the extra pay and not having to juggle all the appointments and additional team members during the day. I think you will be fine.
Also, the holiday thing... at the hospitals where I have clinical the standard is that you work one winter holiday, one summer holiday and one weekend per month.
Don't believe the hype. Ask your clinical instructors what their experience is, and ask at the hospitals where you have clinical. As far as getting a job, keep in touch with people as they graduate from your school and ask them. That is your best picture.

That may be in particular for a very small amount of hospitals in your area...

I worked one summer and one winter holiday until my facility's corporation decided to hire a "consultant" and then it went to A list and B list of holidays, and I'm still waiting to work every third weekend.

Corportations, I mean hospitals, can change their rules on a whim...unless one works at an Union facility, and even then, seniority is the rule.

We don't have a crystal ball; best to prepare the OP that it most likely will be an uphill battle with getting a pediatric hospital day shift position as one of her goals; heck even a day shift position at any facility when you are a new grad...sine the OP is a planner, the best suggestion is for her to start looking at ways to secure reliable, safe child care before, during, and after nursing school, and for this to continue once she starts her first job.