How often are you forced to work nights?

Our hospital usually only advertises night positions for new grads, but in the last year, four of the seven new grads got the day position they wanted before they were even off orientation (three month orientation, the first two of which are on days). The other three individuals did not want day positions, so everyone who wanted one, got it, even though they initially accepted a night position. It all depends on the area though - yeah, you may have to do a couple of months on nights, but I wouldn't think it would take you too long, if any time at all, to get away from nights.

I have not worked nights for about 27 years, however this past spring I did ask my supervisior about it.. why you might ask, $6.00 differential for working 7p-7a somehow made it much more appealing. As luck would have it, no openings at this time...lol,,, saved from myself:zzzzz

I work 4 night shifts per 4 week schedule. They aren't usually together. I don't mind the shift itself, but hate the flipping back and forth. The longer you're there, the better it gets, though, so I'm trying to grin and bear it.

In my area, there are day shift positions available to new grads if you're flexible about what type of floor/unit you'll work on. Jobs are advertised as either "day" or "night" only, so you know going in. I'm going into ICU, so I'll take whatever shift is available (and I prefer nights). If you're open to any med/surg floor, I know for a fact that my hospital has several day shift positions available. There are other, smaller hospitals in the area that put all new grads on nights. Go to a few hospital websites in your city and look at open RN positions (especially the "GN" and "RN 1" listings). That should give you a better idea of what shifts are out there. Good luck!

Lots of new grads do start out on nights...but I trained on days, and WOW..not everyone works together. Patients going to tests, procedcures, surgery, fresh post-ops, lot of doctors in the first 5 hours of a 12 hour shift. Docs writing orders they don't ask you about..and you see them 8 hours later, or when your computer tells you you have medications due that you're going..."uh, when did they start taking that?"....It is what it is.

But on nights, you HAVE to be a team. There are not enough people there to have people not work together.

Best example. ON days, a emergency(pt. fall, I need help) call light went off....I'm the only one who went to go check it..(out of 12 people at the station!!!), a security code was called (one person from every floor is supposed to go) I went to go to it, and the staff goes "you're going to the code? we usually don't.."

Nights? Emergency light, and all 6 RNs go in there or are on the way when the light goes off....the CNAs move beds and tables out of the way if we need it. Security codes/fire alarms? Someone always goes. So, please consider that aspect when you apply.

I work nights as often as possible. I love nights! Shift diffs, no hustle or bustle, and generally settled patients (psych).

Im going to say in my current facility it probably easier to get a day shift than it is a night shift. The shift diff is part of it, but as other have said, its the BS that goes with the other shifts that drives people to the night shift.

Rj

I'm never forced to work anything I don't want or acquiesce to. Im just to comfy with my life