Dayshift or Nightshift: Which works better for families??

[SchoolRN,BSN]

Hi all~

I will be graduating in May & have been trying to decide which shift will work better for my family. I have four kids, 16-6 & have been a SAHM for the last 15 years. NS was a huge change for us & a full-time job will be another. The hospital I've applied to only has 7-7:30 shifts & I've been told I will most likely be able to choose. The daytime opening is in MS & nights is in ICU. While I would love to take the ICU position (I have really enjoyed the clinicals I've spent there & ER), I've never worked nights before & am concerned about being to shift my sleep schedules. On the other hand, if I choose the day job, I'm concerned about the (much) larger pt ratios & I won't be there when the younger kids get home from school - not even close. My husband will be there at night, but his job is pretty much 8-5, so after school may be a problem.

I guess what I'm looking for is advice from those with more experience than I. What works for you & why? 3 days/nights in a row? Spread out over the pay period? I don't know where to start & I need to be able to make a decision soon.

Thanks very much for your input - as you can tell, I'm about to drive myself nuts trying to make the best choice.

Heather

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

The only reason I am going to work f/t now is b/c my husband's job isn't stable & we have to have insurance. Otherwise, I think I would just work part-time.

I was able to work a part-time shift with full benefits - check out what the minimum amount of hours are required for bene's.

After school is the prime time for kids to get into trouble - I'd try to be home then. We worked 0245 - 1515 so I was home. Exhausted, but home.

I'm working Hospice part-time now - the hours are much better.

steph

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

Nights work better for me and my family. My husband works from home, so childcare isn't the issue but family time is.

When I worked days I felt so rushed, rushed to get home (which wasn't until 8p.m. or later) rushed to get dinner, rushed to get homework done, rushed to get showers and rushed to get everyone in bed so I could pass out and be back up at 5 a.m. to start this all over.

Now, working nights, I like it. I'm home right before my son gets on the bus so it's a hug and a kiss and then off to school for him. I lay down and sleep while he's in school and I'm up when he gets home at 3:30 I have plenty of time now to shower, watch TV with him, work on homework and get dinner cooked before I have to leave for work.

I have no choice but to work my 3 shifts in a row because we all have set schedules but honestly, after getting adjusted to it, I don't think I would like it any other way. I like having those 4 days off in a row each week!!!!

I struggled a bit when I first started nights and sometimes had a hard time adjusting but it's been over 6 months and I really like nights It's a much slower pace (though I work ER, nothing is really a slower pace in ER) less administrative type people roaming around. I also like the personalities better on nights. We all just get along so well.

[SchoolRN,BSN]

Thanks so much for all the great input.

I officially accepted an ICU nights position today & I would not have thought to do so without the encouragement of all of you.

Many many thanks:yeah:

:redbeatheHeather