yes, another night shift post.

AMCNurse · Oct 25, 2011

It doesn't hurt to tell your manager that you would like a day shift position if it becomes available. You might be required to put in six months at that shift (that's our hospital requirement) but they might have something come open and they would probably rather move you to that position then hire somebody outside of the hospital. Let them know! Night shift can be tough on your life!

Sanuk · Oct 25, 2011

It may not hurt to tell them you would like days, but I personally wouldn't tell them you're going to look for another job if you don't get it. Your manager may invite you to job search on a full-time basis - starting that day. While I understand the frustrations of working nights - I've done it for about 14 years - I don't think complaining about it after two weeks (what, 6 shifts?) is the way to go. You need to give it at least 3 months before approaching them about your concerns. JMHO.

SweetheartRN · Oct 25, 2011

I know this doesn't sound supportive but after reading your post I may need to switch to nights because days are kicking my butt. How do you know you would really like days? Ofcourse getting back to a natural human sleep pattern would definitely be great for you, as it is for most people, but days are really really really busy, especially for a new grad and especially if you are on a particularly busy med surg floor. Please don't necessarily compare it to clinicals because even though I did 12 hr nursing clinicals, it still doesn't compare IMO from being a student to working for real as an RN.

I've been told, ofcourse AFTER I was hired, that my unit is the busiest med surg floor in our huge university medical center.:uhoh21: There is a huge turn over rate as well. I was hired for days even though I'm new to hospital nursing. (I've been an LPN in a nursing home and already was working as an RN in a peds clinic for a few months before I landed the med surg spot.)

I believe you when you say working nights are hellish b/c of family, sleep, etc. but working days is no walk in the park for other reasons. You probably already know that but just wanted to remind you! I hope it works out for you!!!

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 25, 2011

If you don't like all the down time on nights, come work nights on my floor. Almost no downtime ever!

I'd maybe mention that you'd like to move to days sometime, but never mention that you're looking for a completely different job. That's just asking for trouble.

Kelli the nurse · Oct 25, 2011

I understand how difficult it is to work night shift. I worked night shift part time for 1 year (3-8's) and when I moved to another city I started working full time nights (3-12's). It was the most miserable time in my career. Some folks adapt to it and thrive, most don't. That is why new grads are required to start there and offered shift differential (they are hoping you will find it worthwhile).

I ended up looking for work elsewhere (didn't tell my supervisor) and inquired about day shift positions (which I was told could take years to get into). I was able to get a day shift position in another hospital. It was the best move I ever made. Of course day shift has it's difficulties, but the "normal" hours were worth every bit!

I highly recommend not complaining about the amount of work on night shift. I would just stick to the fact that it is disruptive to your sleep cycle and your life. Good luck!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 25, 2011

you've been on nights two weeks? how do you know it messes with your family life, or that you don't like the "downtime" (how is it that you even have downtime after such a short time?) i suspect this isn't what you want to hear, but give it some time before complaining to your manager. two months would be the barest minimum of time to give it. two more months.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

I would be sucking it up at only 2 weeks in. I prefer nights so I can't relate on not liking it but going into a new job and right off the bat complaining about the shift you agreed to is not going to look well. You might find yourself terminated before you find another job if you tell them you are looking for another job this early in the game.

morecoffeepls, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2011

"what can I do to make my experience during my shift more positive?"

One of the reasons I took a position working nights after I graduated was the downtime. I'll be finished with an online RN-BSN program at a decent school soon, which I would not have been able to do otherwise. Not in 2 years anyway. Schedule works for me for the time being - sleep (or try very hard to sleep) while the kid's at school and the baby's napping, see them in the morning and when they wake me up 24 minutes after I finally succumb. I like to be busy, need to be doing something, so loading up on classes and banging out this degree has worked out. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it. I'll probably make less money at first wherever I end up, but I'm glad I got this piece of paper and some letters after my name in the meantime. Can't think of a better way to have made "my experience during my shift more positive". Imagine working nights and not having down time? What would be the point? Besides making about 30% more than your peers and being able to pay your mortgage and stuff like that? Suck it up & take advantage of your situation by improving yourself one way or another. Learn a new language or something. Read Russian classics. Write a children's book. Knit me a cardigan ... & get paid well to do these things.

tiroka03, LPN · Oct 26, 2011

Nights can be slow for a couple of days, but then pick up and be really busy. Makes me wonder if your really informed of all the night shift tasks.

Aurora77 · Oct 26, 2011

I have to ditto all the comments about downtime. I've been on my unit for almost 4 months. It seems like we go in spurts--some times I'll have a couple of quiet days in a row where I have downtime. Then, others, like now, I'm scrambling all night.

I would definitely give it more time. 2 weeks isn't long enough to decide whether you like something or not, especially not a job that you're still very unfamiliar with. Maybe nights aren't for you, but maybe it will get better.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Oct 26, 2011

"what can I do to make my experience during my shift more positive?"
One of the reasons I took a position working nights after I graduated was the downtime. I'll be finished with an online RN-BSN program at a decent school soon, which I would not have been able to do otherwise. Not in 2 years anyway. Schedule works for me for the time being - sleep (or try very hard to sleep) while the kid's at school and the baby's napping, see them in the morning and when they wake me up 24 minutes after I finally succumb. I like to be busy, need to be doing something, so loading up on classes and banging out this degree has worked out. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it. I'll probably make less money at first wherever I end up, but I'm glad I got this piece of paper and some letters after my name in the meantime. Can't think of a better way to have made "my experience during my shift more positive". Imagine working nights and not having down time? What would be the point? Besides making about 30% more than your peers and being able to pay your mortgage and stuff like that? Suck it up & take advantage of your situation by improving yourself one way or another. Learn a new language or something. Read Russian classics. Write a children's book. Knit me a cardigan ... & get paid well to do these things.

This is great for you, but not everyone can adapt to Nights. I take it you studied at work, but maybe OP's body just isn't into the unnatural wake hours. Yeah, I think attitude does help. You're right about that.

OP - If you force yourself to stay up on your Nights off, it will help you adjust. Don't keep switching back and forth.

Do NOT threaten your boss that you are job hunting. You SHOULD let her know you are wanting a Day spot ASAP, as Nights is pretty rough on your body. Not all new grads start on Nights.