Can new grads get a 7a-3p shift?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi guys!

I was thinking about nursing school, but I am also concerned about those night shifts. As a new nurse, would I realistically be able to get a 7a- to 3p shift so I could be home at night?

Alternatively, isn't there a shift where I could just work weekends and still be paid the same as if I'd worked all week?

Thanks

This is not only insane, but completely unhealthy. I NEVER do it.

That is the truth - I would never work that kind of shift and think it isn't safe at all.

Just say no!!

steph

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.
So, a brand new grad getting a day shift, I would feel bad if I were that person unless you know for sure no one is working nights just so they can one day get that position. You know what I mean?

In Janurary our Nurse Manager posted 6 full-time 12 hour day shifts. MANY of the newer nurses wanted to commit to nights which opened up these day positions. She actually had to "sell" them because so many, even night nurses with senority, didn't want the day positions for various reasons.

Here's how it works where I am.

When you're first hired (unless you are per diem or a traveller) your schedule includes a rotation of one month of days and one month of nights. Per diem and travellers choose their shift. After a while as your senority builds you and people come and go and switch around, you could possibly be eligible for a 2:1 rotation (days:nights). For the nurses who do rotate, most of them are 2:1.

MANY MANY MANY new nurses (we have a very large staff) who do not want to commit completely to nights will trade their month of days for a month of nights with someone who's willing. This way one nurse will work straight nights and the other works straight days. They will do this for whatever amount of time it takes, for usually the nurse working the nights, to decide if he/she really wants to commit to nights permanently. It can take quite a bit of senority to be eligible for straight days (except for just recently as I stated above). The only pitfall of making this kind of trade is the nurse who works all the nights doesn't accrue the differential in PTO for working nights like those who are officially commited to nights.

Anyway. Not EVERY nurse WANTS to work days. Even fewer like to rotate nights/days. At least where I am, if I want to trade my month of nights with someone for their month of days, I probably could with just a little bit of effort.

OP - if you want to work straight days, I hope you find that position. It's NOT completely unheard of and you should not feel guilty in the least!

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Those shifts are reality in a lot of Canadian hospitals. Its a fact of life. The only place I've really ever seen straight shifts is in LTC. Acute rotates.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I'd have to leave canada then.NO WAY would I rotate.

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I'd have to leave canada then.NO WAY would I rotate.

I guess nurses do it but I have to think it is very unhealthy and unsafe.

steph

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Hi guys!

I was thinking about nursing school, but I am also concerned about those night shifts. As a new nurse, would I realistically be able to get a 7a- to 3p shift so I could be home at night?

Alternatively, isn't there a shift where I could just work weekends and still be paid the same as if I'd worked all week?

Thanks

yes they can. depends on where you are and how many jobs are there. and how picky you are as to specialty. you sure CAN get a 7a to 7p or 7a to 3p shift.

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I'd have to leave canada then.NO WAY would I rotate.

:yeahthat:

And here I used to think Canada was enlightened. Certainly not in when it comes to nursing shift work!

When I was in my 20s I put myself thru school I used to work 2 graveyard shifts and 1 swing shift a week; the graveyards were Fri & Sat nights; swing on Monday. I can't even begin to imagine rotating every week, fulltime. I also used to leave work at 7am, sleep for a half hour and then go to school all day. Don't know that I could do that now. I certainly couldn't, and wouldn't have anything less than a full night's sleep (if I can avoid it; sometimes anxiety interferes...) before clinical days.

NurseFirst

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I was one of those who thought "I'll just do my nights then when a day position comes open I'm gonna try to jump it" You couldn't PAY me to work days on the unit I work on now. Maybe some day. just 7a is too early in the morning for me...

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I can't believe what some of y'all are saying. What is wrong with wanting to be a nurse, but wanting day shifts?

It may not happen, but there is nothing wrong with wanting it.

Some of you are making it sound like you should like the thought of working nights to be a good nurse. IMO!

Trying not to step on toes here, but this is just how some of these posts are coming across to me.

For myself, 7p - 7a would be ok. I may not get to sleep with hubby at night, but at least I'd be home when my kiddos get home from school. Hubby sets his own hours, because he owns his own business. We can have a date day, or sleep day for that matter. LOL

At any rate, back to the original poster's question: It may not be easy, but there are day shifts out there. Even if it is 12 hour shifts, at least you don't work M-F.

I agree some of these posts are jumping down the original poster's back!!!!!

She is considering nursing school, but is concerned about having to work night shift.....SO WHAT!

There are plenty of new grads who graduated with me who have FULL TIME day shift positions, so it is not unheard of. However, the 7a-3p shift IS rare b/c most hospitals operate on the 7a-7p but I am sure it is not impossible. In fact, one of my classmates has been offered a job in L&D at a hospital in L.A for 7a-3p, but she is considering NOT taking the offer b/c she does not want to have to work 5 days a week.

SO....its not going to be EASY finding a 7a-3p job as a new grad, but I understand your not-so-excited feeling about night shift. I'm going to have to rotate 2 months days, 1 month nights....

I just hope having to possibly work the night shift once in awhile will not turn you away from nursing entirely.

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She/He (the op) is just trying to find these things out before she gets into nursing. I think this is smart. Lots of people would not want to work nights. I work nights but at times it's a major pain in the but. I wish I could work 9-5 ish sometimes too.

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Specializes in NICU.

In general, new grads can't get day shifts and have to work night shifts. Not always, though, it is possible to get day positions.

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Some floors are so short staffed and desperate that they hire all shifts...but I don't think I would want to work on that kind of floor. In general new grads do work nights or evening shifts in hospitals or any other 24 hour kind of facility...not always but usually.

Your best bet may be to look outside of the hospital for options. There are plenty just gotta look. Good luck to you.

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