Experienced Nurses please give me advice

[Nmott4491]

Hi there, 

I am just graduating as an RN but have a lot of previous experience as a MA so I'm not totally new to Healthcare.  I'm looking for advice on which job to choose. I have an opportunity to work at a very busy, short-staffed ER that is about 35 minutes from my house on nights- 3 12 hr shifts. The pay is pretty good. I also have been given an opportunity to work for an inpatient psych unit that is only 15 minutes from home and is mid/evenings 5 days a week, 8 hour shifts. I have a family and small children so I'm a little worried about working night shift for this reason but think I'd get a lot of good nursing experience in an ER but also am a little scared as it is seriously understaffed. I also love Psych but don't know how I feel about working 5 days a week and have heard you tend to get stuck in Psych once you are there. Anyone have any advice to offer?

[jonnysangel777, LPN, LVN]

Hmm... Have you worked nights before? Will you be able to get at least 4hrs of good uninterrupted sleep during the day? If you are able to get more thats awesome. Have you worked 12hr shifts before? Are you aware of Shift Work Sleep Disorder? I have worked the night shift for years but recently had to find a job with normal working hours. Working nights takes a toll on your body and in the long run it is not good for your health especially if you have any underlying health conditions. I have never worked in an ER but I have worked in Psych for 12 years. I have worked in other areas as well but I loved Psych the best. In both the ER and Psych you will have to deal with aggressive and combative patients and with that comes the possibility of being injured on the job. I suggest making a list of pros and cons of both positions and going from there. Hope this helps. I am a single parent and my biggest struggle was the lack of sleep from working nights even though I loved the night shift. I had time during the day for appts as well as driving my kids to school and then being able to pick them up after school. Working M-F for 8 hrs its harder to make appts but I am still able to drive my kids and pick them up after school as well as attend any sports events and then be able to go home and sleep and not have to go to work. I am way less tired working days and its nice having weekends free. I work for a school now and it's the best schedule I have ever had. No weekends or holidays, and I get all the breaks off, which is perfect when you have kids.

I wish you the best of luck. If you have any questions, I'll check back frequently to answer them. 

[jonnysangel777, LPN, LVN]

Ohh I forgot... on night shift you don't have to deal with management and the busyness of everyone on days, and it can be calmer. Sometimes I nights you are forgotten about by management and those on days. Night shift crews are usually close knit as well.