I am a new grad ready to start my new job soon, however had a question for you, the recruiter called me and asked if I wanted all nights or day/night mix shift.... I have no experience so wondering what the pros and cons and maybe what you would prefer picking and why?
ALL night shifts: i would have to adjust for only for the first few weeks??
Day/Night Mix shifts: i would constantly be adjusting my sleep schedule?? would i be a zombie?
THANKS in advance for any comments or advice!!:redbeathe
I've been on permanent nights since I started working. I'd say go for nights. Day night mix is harder on the body. Also nights usually pays a good premium.
NewgradRN, for sleeping during the day, invest in blackout curtains. Any dark curtains will do. Try white noise or earplugs (I like earplugs), and turn your phone off. It is extremely important to get proper sleep during the day, and eat healthy meals. I would also recommend 1000-2000 units of vitamin D every day.
I agree with posters....take all nights. Your body has a hard time flipping back and forth, and once you get used to nights, you will LOVE it!! I've done a mix, straight nights and straight days, and I will say that straight nights always was the best!
Thanks for all the advice! I will def buy the dark curtains and probably try the earplugs tho I am always afraid I might not hear my alarm clock ring with them on haha...
I have been working a day/night rotation for over 4 years and it is miserable. I'd switch to permanent nights in a heartbeat. HOWEVER, the advantage of being on days when you're new is that there are more resources around.
Ill be the odd one out. I used to work mixed. It was 3 days, 2 nights then a stretch off, I loved it, Or if you worked like a few weeks of days, then a few weeks of nights and it switched like that, thats bearable. But because if it was me, I detest nights, I cant get back to a normal schedule on my days off, so any days I work I take. Liuckily now im perm days. Thanks god.
Congratulations! I too think you should stick to one shift as it's difficult for your body to regulate your sleep cycle when you are going from one shift to the other. I have worked both shifts at different times and I like each for different reasons.
I liked night shift because it goes at much slower pace in terms of ADLS, catering to visitors and it definitely has less traffic - doctors, nurses, case managers, students etc. The downside was although I started nights as a new nurse, because there was less staff I found that I had to be mentally and clinically prepared at all times to take charge if someone called in or to act prudently in an emergency situation despite the little experience that I had.
I preferred days because I was able to sleep in my bed at nights - I hate not being able to go to sleep at will because of obligations! The down side to working days was that I worked like "a Hebrew slave" as we say on my job. There are a lot of unnecessary demands made on you on day shift by Supervisors, Head Nurses, Doctors, visitors and patients alike. On the other hand when I started out on days I learned much more and was exposed to the various in-services and clinical rounds.
Long and short of the story is that nothing beats a good night sleep!
do NOT mix! i did this for a month as a tech and i was a complete wreck. now that i'm done nursing school i'm applying for all night positions because 1. more $, 2. manager not lurking over your shoulder, 3. generally slower so more time to learn. yes, adjusting to the sleep schedule will suck to adjust to but i think it will be worth it in the end
joanna73, BSN, RN
4,767 Posts
I've been on permanent nights since I started working. I'd say go for nights. Day night mix is harder on the body. Also nights usually pays a good premium.