First acute care job: is it possible that they can switch me ove to night shifts without warning?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everyone! I am a nurse with 5 years of experience in the public health world. I have a steady job on days, Monday through Friday. I have a job offer for acute care on day shift. However, I know it is possible that they can switch me to nights at any time. Leaving me with only a few months of acute care experience, having left my original job, and hating my work/ sleep schedule.

I quit my my first ever nursing job (not acute care) because they promised me rotating hours between days, evenings, and nights but then permanently put me on nights. I became extremely depressed and I never want to work nights again unless I have no choice.

How likely would this be to happen to me in a small community hospital?

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Sure, its possible. In my 9 years as a nurse though I have literally never seen it happen. I personally was offered an extra $20 per hour plus the differentials to do nights for 3 months. I hate nights. I like money. I took it. But I was given the option. Not mandated.

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17 hours ago, ~Shrek~ said:

Hi everyone! I am a nurse with 5 years of experience in the public health world. I have a steady job on days, Monday through Friday. I have a job offer for acute care on day shift. However, I know it is possible that they can switch me to nights at any time. Leaving me with only a few months of acute care experience, having left my original job, and hating my work/ sleep schedule.

I quit my my first ever nursing job (not acute care) because they promised me rotating hours between days, evenings, and nights but then permanently put me on nights. I became extremely depressed and I never want to work nights again unless I have no choice.

How likely would this be to happen to me in a small community hospital?

Night worker here, days depresses me more. Are you sure you aren't up to it?

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3 hours ago, not.done.yet said:

Sure, its possible. In my 9 years as a nurse though I have literally never seen it happen. I personally was offered an extra $20 per hour plus the differentials to do nights for 3 months. I hate nights. I like money. I took it. But I was given the option. Not mandated.

Yes, $20 an hour plus differential is a substantial incentive.

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2 hours ago, Workitinurfava said:

Night worker here, days depresses me more. Are you sure you aren't up to it?

Well, I worked five 8 hour nights before. I am sure life is easier to manage with three 12 hour shifts. I am sure three 12's are much more tolerable. However, I don't want to find myself in a situation where I have worked my job for less than a year and want out because I don't feel well.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
21 hours ago, ~Shrek~ said:

I hope so. I have to review the contracts they give me. Is it positive/ professional to ask them if I can take the contract home and review it for a day or two?

Of course it is a very professional request - I have always asked for a copy of a contract to take home a read as well as have my legal advisor take a look at before signing.

Hppy

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3 hours ago, hppygr8ful said:

Of course it is a very professional request - I have always asked for a copy of a contract to take home a read as well as have my legal advisor take a look at before signing.

Hppy

Thank you!

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6 hours ago, ~Shrek~ said:

Well, I worked five 8 hour nights before. I am sure life is easier to manage with three 12 hour shifts. I am sure three 12's are much more tolerable. However, I don't want to find myself in a situation where I have worked my job for less than a year and want out because I don't feel well.

I understand. Hopefully they won't force you to do it. Many places with a contract or not can try to force you or find away to push you out of the position if you don't comply. Try to fight it if they do.

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Specializes in ED.

one other thing you may want to consider and it is a very common tactic used by management.

"needs of the department" clause.

even if they write your contract exactly how you want it, with everything they promised, they add the words under "job responsibilities" or description..."and other duties according to the needs of the department".

its the ironclad way managers get away with forcing you to do whatever they want, because you agreed to it.

the only way out of that, like folkbtrippin or workit i cant remember who...is having a union. you are hired under a template for schedule and there you stay until you bid other templates or jobs.

yet another plus in the column for union representation.

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Specializes in ED.
On 8/8/2019 at 11:26 AM, ~Shrek~ said:

Well, I worked five 8 hour nights before. I am sure life is easier to manage with three 12 hour shifts. I am sure three 12's are much more tolerable. However, I don't want to find myself in a situation where I have worked my job for less than a year and want out because I don't feel well.

some people never adjust. it is a very odd thing.

i worked weekend nights...just weekend...and i felt nauseated ALL WEEK LONG. i never really felt like i was awake or aware, i gained 18 lbs by eating the exact same things i would eat normally except i was eating after 10p (you should never eat after 6p if you want to maintain weight without having to go to extremes), i couldnt function for the whole first day off (which negates this stupid assertion that we enjoy 4 days off), and since i have friends and family i had to "flip" for my days off....which meant the day prior to working i would have to try and get back onto night schedule.

nights are for a select few. i made a crap ton of money doing it...but my health and personal relationships suffered horribly.

management doesnt give a hoot about your health or your family. they simply want the shift covered. you decide what is best for YOU, not get in there and have a manager decide what is best for the unit.

i took a $4k paycut to get back onto dayshift and a normal 8 hrs...i go home to my family every evening, eat a leisurely dinner maybe go see a movie or ride bikes...every single weeknight...and off to bed at 9p for a decent 7-8hrs sleep. my weekends are spent getting up at 0700 and enjoying 2 full days of clear head, hiking and biking because i have the energy and doing fun things with my family and friends. and still getting stuff done.

you need to keep in mind that acute care is all about the money for the facility. yhey do not care about what they promised you or what you expected. if you cant do it their way they will find a new grad who will, for a lot cheaper. and then you are out a job and probably a recommendation.

think long and hard before you give up a comfortable job that fits your lifestyle for one that wont even clarify the fine points of a contract.

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