How likely is it as a new nursing grad I'd have to work nights?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am applying to second degree nursing options now, I'm so excited about becoming a nurse and have wanted to do this forever!!! My ultimate goal is to work in L&D, but I understand I'd more than likely have to start off on a different floor. I am fine w/ that, especially considering the difficulty in finding a position these days.

My question is, I've heard that some people do well working nights, and others do not. I suspect I'm one of those that would not. I am SUCH a morning person but I am useless late at night. Even if I get a lot of sleep I'm still pretty darn tired by 10pm! I know your body can adjust but I am really committed to becoming and being the best nurse I can and I don't want to be a sleepy one!

Since nursing jobs are scarce, especially for new grads (although I wont be done w/ school until 2011), do any of you have any input on whether (as a new grad) I could realistically have a shot at working days?

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

It really does depend.

Where I got hired in ICU, there were actually more day shift openings than night shift. Many of the nurses that work there enjoy night shift, plus the 15% shift differential you get on night shift. It's significant enough that many of the long term nurses don't want to go to days simply because of the big pay cut.

We currently have about 10 to 15 new grad nurses on days.

I'm not a morning or a night person....I'm really somewhere in the middle. Anyone got an evening shift?

You may have to relocate, but it is possible. If you do end up on nights, most people eventually figure out how to get the hang of them, the first couple weeks stink but your body does readjust.

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With all possibility, but then again expect the unexpected too.

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I just got hired for a day shift position in L&D. I really think most units hire based upon where they have the greatest need!

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Pretty likely.

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I just got hired for a day shift position in L&D. I really think most units hire based upon where they have the greatest need!

Wow congrats!! :)

The more I think about it (although don't get me wrong, I'd love a day shift position) I would be so thrilled just to get into one of the units I really want (L&D is my top choice, but I also am so interested in the NICU) that I'd take any position day or night.

I need to stop getting ahead of myself, I haven't even gotten INTO the nursing program yet, I'm dying to know but acceptance letters aren't even mailed out til Nov/Dec. AAAGH!

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I think it also depends on the NOC differential. A nurse that just moved from our department got hired in another hospital and was hired onto days in L&D because the NOC differential was so high that no one on nights wanted to move to days when her position came up!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Critical Care.

There are 3 new grads working days right now at my job. I got hired for nights, but I like the extra pay and not having as many orders being written throughout my shift. I used to get up at 5am every morning and be totally exhausted by like 9:30 at night but I am used to nights now. My best suggestion would be get really good grades and apply to all the internships as early as possible and you might get your choice in unit/shift. There were a handful of people in my class who did get ICU and Post partum, which is really where I hear you should go if you wanna do L&D!

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It's not that bad after about a week. Take your 3mg melatonin every morning before you go to bed. Invest in a sleep mask or blackout curtains. It helps some people adjust. The worst is when you get bounced from days to nights over and over again... it starts to run you ragged after a while.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

You CAN get a day spot.

I graduated and all the new grads I was with who wanted days, got days. I prefer (still do) nights so anytime I am able to go to days I always turn it down (In fact 2 new grads have went to days in "my spot"). The most I have know anyone personally to "have to" work nights was 1 year before they switched to days.

It really depends on the unit and the hospital. I was just looking at what units were hiring where I work and there was just as many day openings as there were nights.

If I were you I would get a job in the hospital as a student right now (or at least after your 1st semester). Not everyone gets used to working nights, I love night and its for me, but I know others who absolutely can not function working nights. That si why they pay us night ppl more! :)

That statement about no good place hiring new grads during days is BS IMO.

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