Can new grads get a 7a-3p shift?

[akissbytheseine]

Hi guys!

I was thinking about nursing school, but I am also concerned about those night shifts. As a new nurse, would I realistically be able to get a 7a- to 3p shift so I could be home at night?

Alternatively, isn't there a shift where I could just work weekends and still be paid the same as if I'd worked all week?

Thanks

[FrumDoula]

Nursing is a commitment to provide care to our fellow man. It is a calling, not a career opportunity. That isn't to say that it isn't a great career. We just need to remember why we wanted to be nurses in the first place.

While I can see SOME of your points, I cannot agree with this. Part of the reason I'm becoming a nurse is to help support my family. If I wanted to do it with good feelings and crummy wages I would go to a minimum wage job at Baskin Robbins. (No offense to the fast food employees out there, ok?)

Why is it that I usually hear the "it's a calling, not a career" chorus sung toward traditionally female dominated careers? (Teaching, nursing, etc.) I never hear lawyers or NBA players singing that little ditty.

This line is usually used to justify paying cruddy wages, too. Because if it's a calling, then you're a selfish idiot for wanting to actually be COMPENSATED for working your butt off. Which is a lovely way to keep wage costs down.

I hear this even as a doula. That we should all volunteer our services because it's a calling. Sorry, gotta pay for groceries and the overpriced mortgage, too! And I have a valuable skill that helps people tremendously. If I have to rely on someones' altruism to give me good bedside care, well, I'm screwed! That's how you get people neglecting or hurting patients - because they justify it by saying, "We're so unpaid and unappreciated."

Give me a well-compensated, highly benefitted nurse who doesn't hate her job or hours, thank you VERY much! :) It sure goes a long way toward nurse (and patient!) satisfaction.

Alison

[SmilingBluEyes]

the argument of nursing being a calling versus a career is very old......

And really, nursing is what the person who enters it SAYS it is. It can be a calling, and I can respect that. But you need to also respect, It is also often a career for OTHERS. There is NOTHING wrong with that. Many of those who call it a career bristle cause they do NOT want to be perceived as martyrs who do not deserve proper compensation for what they DO consider a PROFESSION.

For me, it's both. It's a relatively financially-secure calling for me. How's that for muddying the waters????? rofl.

[JVanRN]

the argument of nursing being a calling versus a career is very old......

And really, nursing is what the person who enters it SAYS it is. It can be a calling, and I can respect that. But you need to also respect, It is also often a career for OTHERS. There is NOTHING wrong with that. Many of those who call it a career bristle cause they do NOT want to be perceived as martyrs who do not deserve proper compensation for what they DO consider a PROFESSION.

For me, it's both. It's a relatively financially-secure calling for me. How's that for muddying the waters????? rofl.

Until I find that lucky person, whose "calling" it is in life to pay all my bills...then nursing is my career as far as I'm concerned. And the way it's looking I'm in this career for a while:)

[SmilingBluEyes]

I respect that, JV. :)

[KrisRNwannabe]

i have never understood this calling thing. Do accoutants have a calling to be an accoutant? I have always thought of a calling to be a religous thing. priest and nuns have callings from god to serve him. I want to be a nurse because I love people and I love medicine. I don't feel I was called to do this. I am interested in it. i like the job secruity, and the financial secruity that comes with it. I know that some people don't like to hear that but unfortunetly, it is a reality. I am sorry but for me being able to pay the bills is part of the criteria for a job.

[snowfreeze, BSN, RN]

First look into what type of nursing you are interested in. If you want to go to school for 6 to 8 years you could start in research with a masters degree, A 4 year BSN can possibly land you a sales rep position with a medical supplier. Doctors offices don't pay as high but they do usually have daytime and evening positions. Many city clinics will hire daylight positions, mental health outpatient clinics are also an option. Yes some hospital experience is helpful but not everyone starts there. Find an avenue you like and one that suits the hours you want to commit to. Another option is prison nurse or an industry nurse, you take care of the medical end of the employees of a company. The pay is probably not as good but you dont stand on your feet all day. Some of these positions might require a year of bedside nursing experience but that could be part of your 'schooling' and not the end goal for you. Good luck and nothing wrong with seeking what you really want.