Help! Should I Choose Schedule or Specialty?

[CSTtoFutureNP]

So I am a nursing student preparing to graduate in December and have been incredibly fortunate to have been offered 2 different positions at the hospital I currently work at. I see such benefits (and some drawbacks) to both positions, so I don't know which one to choose!

Preferred Schedule: Ortho/Neuro/Trauma Med Surg unit. 4 shifts per week, 8 hour shifts, straight evenings (3P-11P). This is my favorite shift to work and I truly enjoy working this shift. I feel like for my life, I am most productive on this shift both inside and outside of work, and I like having more of a set schedule. This position does offer a $3 premium for committing to the straight evening shift. However, people from all different roles in the hospital have explicitly told me no to even apply for this unit (I never even mentioned to anyone that I was applying there) because it is "always crazy, always understaffed, and always overworked". It does have the highest turnover rate in our hospital, it is known as the "new grad unit" because there are very few nurses who stay longer than the 1 year required before transferring. This makes me nervous, but I do like med-surg for the variety and well roundedness I feel you develop. The main selling point for this position for me however is the schedule. 

 

Preferred Unit: ICU. 2-3 shifts per week, 12 hour shifts. Flip between days and nights. I currently work as a Nurse Technician in the ICU and absolutely love the unit. I love my coworkers and feel as though I really thrive in a "type A" environment. The pay would be similar when I worked night shifts, but would be about $3 less when I worked day shifts. Both my manager and coworkers are very supportive in me coming on as a new grad RN, and feel as though they would do whatever they could to help me succeed and to become a strong critical care nurse. I love the flow of the unit, and love the knowledge and skills you can develop there. However, the flip shift position (which I know is very normal for new grads) I know already is going to be troublesome for me. I've worked overnight shifts before, and I am just a terrible sleeper. Try as I might, and no matter what I try, night shift just absolutely destroys me. It takes me days to recover as I will sleep for about 2 hours max post night shift and no matter how tired I am, just can't seem to nap or successfully flip back and forth between days and nights. 

 

I know this is something that all night shift nurses deal with, but it's hard not to feel as though if I have the opportunity not to work overnights at all, should I take the lucky chance and run with it? I really do that I would really love the actual work of the ICU though - I feel lucky to get into an ICU position as a new grad as well! I'm incredibly torn...what should I do??

[PollywogNP, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, NP]

Sleep is most important in maintaining healthy lifestyle. I loved 3-11 shift!  Loved having morning free, plus on days off it didn’t interfere with activities. Straight nights would be difficult for you as you have described then the fact you will be switching between days/nights! In the Navy we were flipped every 3-4 weeks, just as you were getting used to one shift suddenly you’re on the opposite shift. Felt like a zombie the whole time. Plus shift differential is icing on cake. I vote for 3-11.

[LisaNICUrn, BSN]

Eww, flipping back and forth just makes night shift even worse for those who loathe it. At least if you were straight nights your body could some what get used to it so you could function. I know it might not be your ideal unit, but you sound like you know what you're getting yourself into with the ortho unit, I would go for it. Even with the short staffing/craziness, you'll at least have a good schedule that you love, you won't be a tired, it's only 8 hours vs 12 hours to deal with, and like you said, you'll learn a ton. Your personal life and your body will thank you for the 3-11 shift. Go for it. If you really regret your decision after, try and find an ICU that doesn't require the switching back and forth. Unfortunately, many specialties require newbies to start on night shift, but you may get lucky and only spend a few months on nights before being able to switch. Seems you know you'll be miserable on night shift so I would go for the day shift. good luck.