Can I ask to work exclusively day shifts?

NurseNora27 · May 26, 2016

Apparently I'm in the minority here, and I know I was extraordinarily lucky, but I was hired in LTC for days right out of college. I worked there for almost a year and then was hired for full-time days on a med/surg tele floor. I've been here two years and have never worked an evening or night shift that I didn't sign up for myself by covering for someone else. It seems my hospital is in the minority not doing varying shifts. I believe I was lucky enough to be hired for straight days simply because there weren't any nurses on the floor at the time who wanted to get off of nights- since then I've seen most day shifts go to existing employees. I guess I just applied at the right time, but evidently it's possible!

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 26, 2016

This is a good question. I am a single mother and will also be starting a nursing program this fall. When I finish my baby will be about 2. I have thought about shifts and I honestly think that nights/ overnights would be best for me. I can watch my baby during the day or days that im off and arrange for a sitter at night. Baby can rest at night and I can see baby during the day. It may not be possible to work only nights without rotating but if I can I think this would be my best bet. This is something you can consider as well.

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.

casa_bella, NP · May 26, 2016

I was hired in L&D one month after passing NCLEX. Days.

I actually considered switching to nights and my manager said "are you sure with your daughter at home???"

I stayed on days.

Irish_Mist, BSN, RN · May 27, 2016

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.

Apply for positions specifically geared for day shift. At the hospital I do clinicals, the shifts are posted according to what shift (day or night). There are also new grad day jobs. Keep in mind that there will be a lot of competition for the day shift position because people want those positions more. If that is not the way the hospital of interest posts their jobs, then yeah, sure... Ask for day shift. Just don't count on getting it. It's a seniority thing.

lunchboxRN · May 27, 2016

My hospital hires straight day and night shifts. No one has ever been switched without their permission. Once there was a request for a night shifter to fill in days for a few weeks while someone was out on leave. We also hire new grads in day shifts. The other hospitals close by are a mix beteen day/ night and rotating.

So yes, they do exist. However, I am in a more rural part of my state. As you get more populated, I'd imagine you run into the places where days go to those with seniority. However, like with many new grads, relocation might be the best option to find a job that suits your needs until you get the experience to be competitive.

I agree with those saying not to worry too much now. You have several years ahead of you and situations change.

DeborahAnneBoory · May 27, 2016

If your aim is to work in an acute care hospital, most likely you won't get days. In my area, which is RI/MA, most hospitals don't put "newbies" on the day shift. It's a faster pace and they don't want to set you up to fail. If you must have days, you will most likely need to look into psych or a nursing home situation. Best of luck. The upside of 12 hour shifts is you will only work two or three per week and obviously your income will be higher than it is now I assume. Perhaps you can hire a nursing student to stay over on your nights on. Best of luck.

ltourish · May 27, 2016

My experience has been that it depends on where you are interviewing. My interest was only for day shift for reasons of my own - and so I applied for day shift positions. I was lucky to find and get hired for a day shift!

Some of the replies on this question are rude and I'm sorry you are getting these types of replies.

Bottom line is that the more stipulations you put on looking for a job shift the possible less positions there may be - it will all depend on the facility. And who knows what will be available to you when you are finished with nursing school and what your personal position will be at that time as well. Lots of variables -

Concentrate on school and see what your future holds! Enjoy the journey!

NotYourMamasRN · May 27, 2016

I have worked in various hospitals, as a float pool nurse mostly (Only one or two full time positions), in various states, but many of my friends worked full time. They all have a different skill set and experience mix. I have never seen anyone have trouble getting a full time job on the shift they wanted. I have worked with new nurses on days and new nurses on nights. I have also worked with many 'seasoned' nurses who hate day shift and will only work night shift. I have never seen any arguing over who works what shift.

I work only days now, used to work only nights. I never had an issue getting the shifts I wanted. The float pool I am working in now, I get to work whatever shift I want and have no commitment to any night shifts. So based on my experiences and what some of the other posters are saying, I would think this would be facility dependent. Most of my friends who work nights, won't work days because they do not like the office politics environment that comes with administration and management being in house.

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 28, 2016

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

Haha yeah, but I've only ever done nights and have NO desire to do days so it's even more annoying. You'd think I'd be able to get even an on-call position somewhere to get in somewhere initially.

xo

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 28, 2016

I'm absolutely shocked by the number of people saying that their hospitals make you rotate shifts. I've never worked where someone didn't do that willingly (if they were to do it at all). There was one nurse, don't ask me how she did it with kids, who like to work alternating days and nights. That's what screws me up. Trying to do both days and nights (and that's what makes your body revolt and makes things bad healthwise). That's what is bad for your health as well. Staying on one schedule, rather than trying to do "day shift hours" when you're off is so much more helpful and less harmful to you.

Now I know that would be difficult and/or impossible with a toddler (they don't give a crap when you went to bed or woke up lol), but maybe you can get her on your schedule as well, whatever that ends up being.

xo

inprocess · May 28, 2016

School nursing comes to mind. You'd need a BSN, and you might need some experience before you get there. But that would work around your daughter's schedule.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · May 28, 2016

School nursing comes to mind. You'd need a BSN, and you might need some experience before you get there. But that would work around your daughter's schedule.

Not necessarily. The thing that keeps most nurses I know away from school nursing around here is it makes no difference the degree, LPN or RN is fine except for the nurse manager which does require an RN. The pay is the same no matter the degree and it is low, so low that few if any RN's accept the position. It's low pay even on the LPN scale for my area.