New mom- night shift vs day shift?

Published Nov 5, 2016

1 Post

Hi everyone, I am a new mom, I have a 3.5 month old who still doesn't sleep completely through the night. I am currently interviewing for my first hospital med surg position after being a nurse for 6 yrs..( I've been in home care and case management). The recruiter told me I will be meeting the floor managers this week and they will ask me if I prefer day or night 12 hr shift. I am leaning more towards night because I would like to work while my son sleeps and still be able to spend time with him. Also, since it is my 1st hospital job after 6 years graduating from nursing school, I feel like night shift would be better for me to have time to think and not have as much chaos/ stress like day shift. I would be a smoother learning environment. However, I'm afraid the night shift will take away more of my week because I have to sleep during the day of the shift and the next day after. What do you guys think? For the night RNs, what is your routine like? Do you wake up early and then nap prior to your shift? The shift here would be 7-7. Any tips would help. Thanks!