Day Shift VS Night Shift for New Grad

Researchnurse101 · Mar 23, 2018

Your story sounds just like my daughter's - ADN, anxiety, night shift, BSN online - DON'T DO IT!!! The night shift has left her feeling constantly tired, frustrated that she doesn't have a normal life and time to spend with friends and family, and more anxious now coupled with depression. Daytime commute is much safer. Night shift is almost always understaffed and busier than you think. It would be nice to have extra people running around because it would take some of the workload off of the nurses.

90sKidSayWhat · Mar 23, 2018

I've heard from a few nurses that night shift is great for new grads because the pace is somewhat slower (although still busy) and you have more time to focus on patient care.

I have had friends say the same thing about night shift and that is has helped them get more acclimated to the profession. However, if you think you could cope with the daytime atmosphere with everyone running around then you will be able to handle any shift.

Sour Lemon · Mar 23, 2018

I'm in my last semester of my ADN program and I'm looking for some advice on whether I should apply for day shift or night shift for med/surg. I've heard from a few nurses that night shift is great for new grads because the pace is somewhat slower (although still busy) and you have more time to focus on patient care. I struggle with anxiety so even though I know night shift comes with stress as well, not having a ton of day staff (management, doctors, OR, lab, housekeeping, etc) running around like crazy is appealing to me.
Some potentially important info - I live in a rural area and the few hospitals I'll be applying to are smaller, but the commute will be anywhere from 1-1 1/2 hours so that's something to take into consideration. I'll also still be in school working on my online RN-BSN.
Any advice/input is greatly appreciated!

I'm a night person, so nights it is for me. I feel physically ill when I'm up early in the morning. There are less "people" around at night, but that means there are also less resources. The doc isn't going to stop by at 3AM, so you've got to know when to call and what to say.

And keep in mind, as a new graduate you may not have the option to choose. Apply for everything and see what actual offers you get before you agonize over making a "choice".

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Mar 23, 2018

I also have anxiety and am in my last semester of online RN to BSN. I have found night shift to be just fine for me. The teamwork on my unit's night shift is fantastic and took a lot of the fear out of it for me, and I've heard many others say the same. It's true that there aren't as many resources, and I feel like we run short staffed a little more often than days. Night shift does kind of turn your life upside down, but I've found that if I don't expect myself to be up at, like, 0700 on my days off, it's no big deal (1100 or 1200 has been more realistic). It does take dome planning to maintain a social life, exercise, and hobbies, but I've found it entirely doable.

That being said, the answer to this question is entirely individual to you. Would you define yourself as a morning person or a night owl? I think that knowing this will help you figure out when you naturally work the best - if you end up having your choice of shifts.

Wuzzie · Mar 23, 2018

Some potentially important info - I live in a rural area and the few hospitals I'll be applying to are smaller, but the commute will be anywhere from 1-1 1/2 hours so that's something to take into consideration. I'll also still be in school working on my online RN-BSN.

That commute is no bueno! Especially starting out.

TruvyNurse · Mar 24, 2018

Heck I say if you can get days right off the bat, take it!! I did a year of nights and two years on 2nds before I got the chance to get on days!

Eris Discordia BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2018

I have a one hour 50 minute commute...I could not do it after a night shift, so after 16 years of nights, I switched to a day walker. No regrets.

bananas1 · Mar 24, 2018

Do you guys not do variations of shifts. I get mornings, afternoons and nights. Permanent nights would be shitey.

I reckon go for days. You will have orientation and I think it's good to get stuck in and give it a go. You get to know your patients on days, you get to meet their families, you get to talk to the doctors, you have everyone around you. Im in NICU so we have the same number of staff on at night, but in adult wards, often it's two nurses to 20-30 patients...