How many of you NGs are on nights?

Nurses New Nurse

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Used to be that was the only thing you were offered. Now it's a mix. Which specialties do you really think are best begun on nights... ICU, tele...

I am contemplating a night gig, but I don't think it'll be 12s, I think it's gonna be 8s :yawn: If so, that means no normal life, huh.

Also, I wonder, a lot of (the few available) jobs out there for NGs are part time.... do you get offered FT if you pass muster? Do you really get a chance at moving to days eventually? Or, do you have to completely change jobs to move to days.

What is the current scuttlebutt on this?

Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

Where I work, there is openings for both shifts so I had a choice. I chose night shift because of the differential, it makes a big difference in my paycheck. I like the night shift better than day shift, but it's wreaking havoc on my sleep schedule. I can't sleep on my days off unless I take a sleeping pill. I've always been a morning person, and went to bed early, so this is very strange for me. I'll do this for another 6 months, and then reassess.

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I was hired in for the night shift, fulltime. I orientated on days for about 6 wks. There was another new grad who hired in the same time I did and she works days. I didn't want days because I have young kids and didn't want to put my kids in childcare if I could help it. The pay differential isn't that great (about $1.50 more per hr). I started off working five 8 hr shifts, which is KILLER when on nights. Then it was two 8s and two 12s. I am trying to get to wear they will schedule me for only three twelves. I am a zombie on my days off, especially if I work every other night! It's getting a little better with working less nights per week, but it's still an adjustment. The job is more physically demanding than I expected it to be, too. Not hefting pts around, but just being on my feet and hustling around the whole shift! Mentally too, there is so much you are supposed to be on top of, it's insane!!!

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.
The pay differential isn't that great (about $1.50 more per hr).

I make $13/hr more working weekend nights, so it's a big difference to me.

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Specializes in Psych, EMS.

I work 8 hour shifts, and I know I am in the minority, but I actually like them. I work 3p-11:30p. I wake up, have time to work out, run errands, meet friends for lunch, etc..then work my 8 hours, idk my days just seem longer and more productive. Plus the differential is nice, about $500/month more working evenings. Also, 8 hour shifts work better for me because I am prone to depression, and it forces me to be out of the house and presentable five days a week.

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Specializes in Psych, EMS.
I make $13/hr more working weekend nights, so it's a big difference to me.

Wow, that's nice! We get a generous shift diff, but NO weekend differential. I guess since we have to work every other weekend, they don't give an incentive..it's mandatory. Still it'd be nice...

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Specializes in Endoscopy/MICU/SICU.

I think I'd like to try 3-11's at some point. It sounds nice the way you describe it, Golden Girl.

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Specializes in ER.

It's only been 2 weeks since I started working, but I work nights and I also precepted nights too. Not only is the shift differential nice, but nights have a slower pace to them. Yes, I don't have a secretary or a tech half the time, which can be frustrating, but I feel less stressed out.

Sleeping, I get home around 8 on a good day, sleep about 9-3 or 4 if I'm lucky (I haven't had a chance to buy black out curtains or cover my window up yet) and go to work. On my days off, I kind of go back to day time hours. When I asked my coworkers what they did, they too replied that they switch back to day time hours. I typically drink an energy drink around 1 or 2 to keep me through to the end.

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Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

I work in the NICU and it is the unit policy for all new grads to be hired into night positions.

I was put on the list to go to days as soon as I was hired and just found out last week, one week before I was to go to nights, that I get to stay on days.

Of all the people hired on in the hospital's new grad residency program, only one was PRN but got a full time job shortly after we finished our orientation.

It just depends on where you work.

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I work nights, but have for years. Luv it, less interaction with Docs, Admin and crazy families.

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