Evening shift versus day shift

[amzyRN]

I was lucky to land a job that didn't require night shift, since it is near impossible for me to sleep in the day. I am now finding that the rotation between day and evening is difficult as well because my body gets used to staying up late and doesn't really adjust back to days for at least 1 week. So for one week, it feels terrible to only be getting like 5 hours of sleep a night. Plus day shift is so crazy busy, I feel exhausted after work. Evenings are great for sleep, but they tend to be a little slower and the shift seems to drag sometimes. My main concern though is that I may be getting better experience on days because of the crazy pace and eventually want to work in the ER. I am still a newbie, only having about 6 months on a challenging floor (I work on a telemetry/step down unit). The sleep thing is an issue though. I like to get at least 7 to 8 hours and as I said before only get about 5 on days. If I went to straight evenings, do you think it would be possible for a new nurse to get the experience necessary to learn priority setting and other skills that will allow me to transition some day to the ER? I'm also considering asking for mostly evenings and 1 week of days. Do you think that is enough?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I always felt that evenings were the busiest time in the hospital. I hate evenings (could never fall asleep until the middle of the night when working evenings and never actually woke up and did anything before work) but rotating is also terrible. I think you can get adequate experience on evenings.

[DalekRN]

I believe you'll find any shift to be challenging enough to grow you as an RN in the direction of ER. Each shift is crazy for different reasons, did someone tell you that night shift is easier or less eventful? More patients, less readily available assistance. I think evening shift on my unit (postpartum) is the most insane of them all. I think working rotating shifts would be incredibly hard and not worth the wear and tear on your body.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I LOVED evenings when I was a new nurse, did them for a few years. Only one meal to monitor, the visitors go home, people aren't going all over hell and gone for diagnostic exams, and all the results from the day's tests are in for you to learn about. You have a little time to read charts and get mentored. You'll have plenty of opportunities to learn. Enjoy!