Does "variable shift" mean lots of night shift?

[linda2097]

If a nursing job listing states, "variable shift", is that usually a sneaky way of stating that it is mostly a night shift position?

[txredheadnurse, BSN, RN]

My experience has been that variable shifts mean they bounce you all over the clock; i.e. if shifts are 8 hours you most likely will work all 3 within a defined time frame. Or at least know you might be working any given shift at any time.

Personally not my fave thing to do. I prefer to be in control, within reason, of my hours/days and number of days in row worked.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I don't think variable shift means off shift or nite shift or rotating shift/s; when I hear variable shift, to me and from what I've read it means the shift is for example days, but the hours are variable ;for example; 7a-3p or 10a-6p on different days of the week, its still one shift type, but the hours vary

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

if a nursing job listing states, "variable shift", is that usually a sneaky way of stating that it is mostly a night shift position?

"variable shifts" just means that you don't get to pick one and stick with it. it could means anything from "mostly days, but if we need you on nights you should work them without grousing because we warned you from the first" or it could mean "half nights, half days but you get to schedule yourself anyway you want to do that" or it could mean "mostly nights but we'll orient you on days." the only way to know for sure is to take the job, but the interview should answer many of those questions.

[ErraticThinker]

At my hospital variable means that you can be cancelled if the unit doesn't need you, and the rest of the hospital is staffed. Most new people are hired as variable and rotating, meaning you'll rotate 50% days 50% nights, and can be cancelled up to once in a week in order of seniority. It really depends on the unit. My unit is usually understaffed so unless its a holiday weekend or something, there aren't many people being cancelled. It's a real pain sometimes when you're trying to save up for something, but other times its great to get the day off :wink2:

[RNperdiem, RN]

I have heard the variable shift term to cover areas like PACU that you go to work at times different than the standard start times of 7am, 3pm and 11pm so more nurses can be available at the times when the PACU is busiest. I think it also covers hours not fixed schedule to schedule.