Days vs Graves

loriangel14, RN · Mar 21, 2016

I work mostly nights and I love it. Less people around, no families, and I sleep fine during the day.

LittleMissVixen410 · Mar 21, 2016

I think new grads need to be on nights.

1. It's easier to find your "flow" that way.

2. Less patients and family around so you can really focus on time management and how to be a good critical thinking nurse.

3. More money.

Also, know that new graduates usually aren't eligible to float for like a year or two. That job is held for experienced nurses. I know you probably don't want to hear it, but Med/Surg or a step-down unit will be your best friend in training you on how to be a great nurse for the first year or so. Then go somewhere else you may like. But get experience where you can - always float if they need someone to, and soak up EVERYTHING.

INN_777, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Hospitals have different philosophies on nights vs days for new grads. I started as a new grad a 1+ years ago and work rotating days/nights. Our hospital has new grads work predominantly days for a few months off orientation, because you can learn more during the day (participate in rounds, more interventions, interact with families and interdisciplinary teams). Another hospital in my area starts new grads in straight nights, because, in their view, that makes for a softer transition. So there are benefits to each approach. If you want nights and you handle them well physically - go for it!

Like the previous poster said, new grads are usually not floated until a year in, however, some hospitals hire new grads specifically into the float pool and train them accordingly.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Do a search . This topic has been discussed on AN a trillion times.

WCSU1987 · Mar 21, 2016

Graves all the way less management

brownbook · Mar 21, 2016

You did post the hospital is hiring for all floors and float pool, which was my first job as a new grad. So your float pool idea, a new grad in the float pool, is fine, I loved it. You have to have the confidence to say, admit, ignorance, ask for help. "I'm new here, I'm a float, I don't know about that", are not words to be embarrassed to say.

I worked 11 pm to 7 am while my kids, (and I), we're young. It worked great for us. I was home during the day, went on school field trips, made it to school assemblies, etc. I only worked 8 hour shifts, and 32 hours a week. I know many people cannot tolerate nights, no sleep, etc. I believe them, we're all different.

amoLucia · Mar 21, 2016

NOCs absolutely. Altho many complain about it, I've found that staff who work regular NOCs do so because its their choice for whatever reasons.

They then tend to make the shift work as well as possible. There's better team support for working together and a level of appropriate camaraderie usually develops.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2016

Day shift or night shift preference is completely individual.

Astounded that you are for seeing "being bored".. with sooo much to learn.

ccosta70 · Mar 23, 2016

Thank you for your input. The reality of becoming a Nurse and working on my own without a teacher over my shoulder is setting in and the possibilities of employment are endless it seems.

ccosta70 · Mar 23, 2016

Thank you for the encouragement on float pool. I'm currently doing a precepting rotation in school and working 1 on 1 with the same RN for 9 shifts who is a float pool I love it. He says I'm a fast learner and would do well in float pool. My main thing is graves vs days. I have done well working the night shift with him and I'm able to sleep during the day with minimal problems other then people calling and waking me up. I'm sure an easy fix if I would just shut the ringer off.

amoLucia · Mar 23, 2016

YES! Turn your phone ringer off! If it's important they'll call back. Or they can leave a message. Eventually, people who care about you will respect your 'sleep time' needs.

And float pool is great. Neat thing for me was that I never got sucked into floor politics and/or cliques. And when you show up on a floor, the staff there will just looooove you because you're filling a hole in their schedule and they won't have to work short.