Dream job . . . but it's night shift

Published

  1. Should I take the job?

    • 32
      Yes
    • 3
      No

35 members have participated

Specializes in PICU, General Pediatrics, Pediatric Heme-Onc.

Hey fellow nurses ������

I'm an RN with almost 3 years of experience, currently working in a PICU. While I've enjoyed different elements of working in the PICU, my favorite part of my job is working with the pediatric oncology patients (I've been chemo-certified for 2 years now). I'm constantly on the lookout for full time jobs in this sub-specialty of pediatrics.

Well, last week I attended an open house at my dream hospital, interviewed, really clicked with the manager, and was offered a position on their inpatient pediatric oncology unit ! The only caveat . . . it's night shift.

I have only worked days since starting as a nurse (I know, I know, I got lucky). I have no clue how I'd transition over to nights and I'm nervous that working this shift would have a negative impact on my family/social life (every other weekend on nights sounds daunting compared to my current 3 weekend shifts a month).

However, this hospital is my dream job, would nearly double my salary, and seems like such an incredible opportunity. I have to decide by Monday and I am so helplessly torn ������

Any insight would be appreciated !

Some additional details: I just moved in with my boyfriend (who works M-F, 9-5, in NYC) and live about an hour away from my family.

My commute would be 45 mins or so.

I wouldn't start till mid-July and would have a 3-month orientation on day shift.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

I think you should take it. I think you do not have a "grass is greener" attitude about this position, which means you'll be realistic when making choices.

But, it's not up to me, so my advice? Make a pro/con list, ask trusted friends for input with it as well. Also make one about your current position.

Either way in this case, you're a winner, honestly.

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I took a job with horrible hours -overnight in the ER working often 8-13 shifts in a row or more to follow my dream. It was tough for the 3 years I did this, but it opened up so many opportunities and gave me a strong foundation that has opened many doors for me since. It took 3 years to transition back to a normal sleeping schedule after I left night shift work though.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I voted for you to take it. Unless your some "special snowflake" who can't tolerate any stress in your life, you should be able to live with the night shifts for a while. But since you have 3 years of experience in a PICU, I doubt you are a "special snowflake." You are probably a fairly strong person who can withstand a little stress.

Keep in mind that you won't have to work the night shift forever. It's temporary. Show them what a great nurse you are ... and eventually, you will have the opportunity to either get some day shifts in your new job. They won't want to lose you. And who knows? you might like the nights more than you think you will.

For me, the long commute would be more of an issue. I'd be looking to move a little closer to work, if possible. As for the weekend expectation, the difference between 3 shifts per month and "every-other weekend" is only 1 shift per month.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

TAKE THE JOB!! Don't let an awesome opportunity pass you by. I got an awesome job in a special care nursery for three weeks before deciding to quit because my preceptor was quite honestly a bully, and she was terrible. Instead of quitting I should have gave it more time and switched preceptors, like they were going to allow me to do. Now here it is 8 years later and I still haven't been able to obtain my dream job of working in a NICU...

Don't ever pass up golden opportunities. You won't be on nights forever!!

Annie

3
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Specializes in Pediatric BSN, RN.

Take it and get on the list to move to day shift. How long is the wait to move to days? On my unit it was over a year but there were some unexpected losses and I got moved in 5 months.

1
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On 8/6/2018 at 7:38 AM, AnnieOaklyRN said:

TAKE THE JOB!! Don't let an awesome opportunity pass you by. I got an awesome job in a special care nursery for three weeks before deciding to quit because my preceptor was quite honestly a bully, and she was terrible. Instead of quitting I should have gave it more time and switched preceptors, like they were going to allow me to do. Now here it is 8 years later and I still haven't been able to obtain my dream job of working in a NICU...

Don't ever pass up golden opportunities. You won't be on nights forever!!

Annie

All of this. I left NICU due to no consistency in my schedule and have a small baby at the time. I fought for myself and wanted to give it one more scheduling cycle but it just wasn’t working. Two years later and I’m having the hardest time finding NICU interviews but get many pediatric interviews (was interviewing for a move recently). I’m grateful for the opportunities presented but feel a slight pain of missing out on that one thing. Hopefully one day the opportunity presents itself again. 

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Women’s Health.

Take it! 

You don't have to do nights forever - an opportunity for day shift will come along eventually!

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