Got An Offer For Dayshift But Was Asked To Work Nightshift

[yoon519]

I newly moved to the states and don't understand what I am going through.

I got an offer for day shift nurse and have been waiting to start working.

First, my start date has been pushed to 6weeks later due to a lack of preceptors. I understand this situation. 

And I got a call yesterday and they are asking me to start working nightshift first since they are currently understaffed during night. 

But I don't think it is right to say OK because I was hired day shift nurse and no one know when things will get better. And honestly, I don't think I would have applied if the position was nightshift. 

So I am wondering if this is common and how other nurses think about this.
Please give me any ideas and advice! 

[JKL33]

I would tell them no if at all possible; if you can afford to not have this job.

There's a very good likelihood they have no intention of putting you on days. We have heard accounts similar to yours not infrequently. Seems to be a tactic they use because it's easier to hire people onto day shift than night shift...so they just lie about what shift they actually want to staff with the position.

Keep in mind the other side of it is that you may not be able to get an actual day shift job anyway. But, with regard to this, my opinion is I still wouldn't want the job with the employer who lied. If they had just advertised a night shift job then that gives the employee the opportunity to fairly evaluate the pay, etc.

If they can't even be honest about what shift they are hiring for then it wouldn't bode well for my relationship with them. Cause I despise that kind of behavior.

 

TLDR: You might only be able to get a night shift job anyway. Get it with someone who doesn't lie to you before even meeting you.

[Wuzzie]

It's called a "bait and switch" and is a known tactic in hospitals. If you agree to do it there is a good chance you won't get switched back to days. If you need the job you can try getting in writing the time frame for you to go to day shift but don't be surprised if they won't do it. But like JKL said, day shift positions can be hard to find so if you need a job you might end up having to work nights. However, I'd rather work for an employer who is up front about it and not one who is trying to scam you.

[yoon519]

That's what I was thinking!

 Many nurses want to get a day shift job, so it's much easier to hire dayshift nurses. So, it seems like they are asking me to do night shift because I have already accepted the offer. And as you said, I don't think I would ever actually get a chance to do a day shift. That's why I'm reluctant to say yes.

Honestly, I'd like to look for other possible job openings and want to wait for orientation until I can work on a dayshift.

But do you think the job offer might be canceled if I refuse to work the night shift? Thanks for your advice!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Never had a job where I had to wait 6 weeks to start. Being a preceptor is a requirement for all experienced nurses. Have you ever worked nights? I myself cannot handle it. I do not know if they will cancel the job offer. Take those 6 weeks and look for another job. Good luck!

[JKL33]

5 minutes ago, yoon519 said:

Honestly, I'd like to look for other possible job openings and want to wait for orientation until I can work on a dayshift.

Since you are new to the country, we should be very clear - probably THE main way for nurses (especially those who are "new" in some way) to get into hospital is on night shift. It is feasible that you could wait a very long time to get hired onto day shift, or might not be at all.

It isn't just a matter of preference most times. Just want to be clear about that so you understand the situation.

You could tell your employer straight up that you can't work nights, that's why you hired onto days, and see what they say. Be forewarned they may just say that the position they hired you for is no longer available.

Or you could say a more low-key, no thanks, I'll keep waiting until you're ready for me on day shift (which, they may say same as above).

In either case I would keep looking for another job (day or night shift).

[yoon519]

17 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

Never had a job where I had to wait 6 weeks to start. Being a preceptor is a requirement for all experienced nurses. Have you ever worked nights? I myself cannot handle it. I do not know if they will cancel the job offer. Take those 6 weeks and look for another job. Good luck!

It's already 4th out of 6 weeks I've been waiting. Two weeks left and they're asking for a new one. really hard to start……. 
Thanks a lot for your advice!!

[yoon519]

25 minutes ago, JKL33 said:

Since you are new to the country, we should be very clear - probably THE main way for nurses (especially those who are "new" in some way) to get into hospital is on night shift. It is feasible that you could wait a very long time to get hired onto day shift, or might not be at all.

It isn't just a matter of preference most times. Just want to be clear about that so you understand the situation.

You could tell your employer straight up that you can't work nights, that's why you hired onto days, and see what they say. Be forewarned they may just say that the position they hired you for is no longer available.

Or you could say a more low-key, no thanks, I'll keep waiting until you're ready for me on day shift (which, they may say same as above).

In either case I would keep looking for another job (day or night shift).

You're right. I've seen new nurses from other countries almost start working night shifts.

I am aware of the benefits of working night shifts and know why people start working night shifts first, but honestly, working night shifts is really hard for me. And the biggest reason I have been waiting for the delayed 6 weeks is that this job is dayshift. 

You really helped me organize my thoughts. Thanks a lot for your help!

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

1 hour ago, Been there,done that said:

Being a preceptor is a requirement for all experienced nurses. 

Not everywhere is like this anymore (thank goodness), as not everyone is good at precepting just because of experience.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I will clarify. It is in the  work contract to precept ( and assigned duties  as ordered). OP might not get a good one... but if she is needed that much, the facility would assign some one  to do it STAT.

[sleepwalker, MSN, NP]

On 7/12/2022 at 9:45 AM, yoon519 said:

It's already 4th out of 6 weeks I've been waiting. Two weeks left and they're asking for a new one. really hard to start……. 
Thanks a lot for your advice!!

so wait...you've already waited 4 weeks out of 6 and now they want you to wait another 6 weeks??

If so...I'd be finding another position ASAP.

[Nurse Pompom]

On 7/12/2022 at 8:46 AM, yoon519 said:

I newly moved to the states and don't understand what I am going through.

I got an offer for day shift nurse and have been waiting to start working.

First, my start date has been pushed to 6weeks later due to a lack of preceptors. I understand this situation. 

And I got a call yesterday and they are asking me to start working nightshift first since they are currently understaffed during night. 

But I don't think it is right to say OK because I was hired day shift nurse and no one know when things will get better. And honestly, I don't think I would have applied if the position was nightshift. 

So I am wondering if this is common and how other nurses think about this.
Please give me any ideas and advice! 

NOP, I wouldn't take it. You were not given nights, but days, so days you should get.

I do think that nights is a common shift to start on for new grads but like I said, that's not what they promised you.