Days or Nights

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Hi everyone! I just graduated last week as a LPN:yeah:. I have decided to work my first job in a LTC. I was hired in one facility for night shift. It is in my town. I saw another job posting for day shift but the LTC is about 45min from home. I am married with 2 children 12yr and 3yr. As a new grad, which shift would you take? Day shift, of course is less money but I will be home at night with the family. Nights is more money but I won't be home at night. What would you do?:nurse::nurse: Anyone working either shift, please let me know how and what you do on an average day.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I worked nites for years but my kids were older. You must have a reliable babysitter regardless of which shift you choose. Is it 12 hr shifts? If so, you will be home more nights than away.

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No unfortunatly it's 8hr shifts 10p-6a. My husband would watch the kids at night. Daytime my daughter is home and my son is in daycare.

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

Worked nights for years, kids were sleeping when I was at work; I was home to get them off to school -- I slept while they were at school then got up when they got home and we had dinner together. Was able to go to most if not all school activities. My husband was home nights so it worked for us.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Chances are on nights you'll be the only nurse. NOT a good place for a new grad to be. Stick with the day shift till you have some experience.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

When my kids were young (and so was I) I loved working nights, my husband and I worked around it, as you mentioned, it was more money and allowed me afternoons and evening with my family without the cost of babysitters. You can try one and change to the other if you dont like it, Just know working nights will put you into perpetual jetlag, you have to create a system to ensure proper sleep in the mornings- there is another post for that,

But if you are not sure, maybe youre better off taking the day job.

You will get more professional experience doing days.

Good Luck whatever you decide, it has to be right for you and your family- its nice to have options- on a different post they lament the lack of positions available right now!

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I work perdiem and have done all shifts,the day shift is great but a little crazy{in ltc},I hate the 3-11 and to do this fulltime with a family would stink,11-7 awww if you can hang all night is good,I have a 13 and 16 yr old home and a husband so this shift works ok for me but since I don't do it on a regular basis I am no good for a day or 2 after...but if you get a routine I am sure it's easier.Just remember if you have small ones you need to sleep during the day and this could be a problem,falling asleep is not so easy

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