How is Working the 3-11 shift with small children at home

[Ssss94]

I’m a new grad that has just been offered a position. The hours are 3-11pm,  working 24 hours a week. How is it working 3pm-11pm? Everyone keeps telling me it’s the worst possible shift. Is this true? I have three kids ( 6,4,and 1). I can’t work day shift because of childcare and I literally and cannot see myself working nights. 

[londonflo]

5 minutes ago, Ssss94 said:

How is it working 3pm-11pm?

This was my shift of choice. Even when I was in my 20s's. There are less MDs, supervisors, executives around.  

[carebear01, BSN, RN]

I started off working 3-11 when my kids were that age and it was perfect! The shift starts off really busy but then slows down between 7-11. Sometimes I would stop at the grocery store after work if we were in need of stuff. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

 3-11 is the shift you  need and  want. I loved afternoon shift. So much quieter.  

Pass evening meds.. put your patients to rest. 

[londonflo]

42 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

Pass evening meds.. put your patients to rest.

It is a great way to wind down (if you can---bring the patients' day to a close.)

I am old so I would offer a back rub, give evening medications, ask about pain, provide water, turn down the lights, just calm down the situation. Of course this is not always possible...

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I loved 3-11 shifts, as they worked best with my particular circadian rhythm. They weren’t so great for family life, however, because the kids hadn’t gotten home from school yet when I left for work and were in bed long before I got home. I missed out on a lot of afternoon and evening activities with them. So no, I wouldn’t recommend swing shift for anyone with school-aged children. But once the kids are grown, 3-11 rocks!

[SmilingBluEyes]

21 hours ago, VivaLasViejas said:

I loved 3-11 shifts, as they worked best with my particular circadian rhythm. They weren’t so great for family life, however, because the kids hadn’t gotten home from school yet when I left for work and were in bed long before I got home. I missed out on a lot of afternoon and evening activities with them. So no, I wouldn’t recommend swing shift for anyone with school-aged children. But once the kids are grown, 3-11 rocks!

Agree with this.  I worked Per Diem on weekend nights to offset my husband's schedule so that one of us was with the kids at all times. I would go to soccer games exhausted but was there.......then went home to bed.

It's sure not easy working when we have kids.

My favorite shift was 3-11.....always was. But it is tough to see the kids on that shift, particularly if they are in school.

[John2018]

Best shift schedule. You can definitely work your way around this shift. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

On 3/7/2022 at 2:39 AM, VivaLasViejas said:

I loved 3-11 shifts, as they worked best with my particular circadian rhythm. They weren’t so great for family life, however, because the kids hadn’t gotten home from school yet when I left for work and were in bed long before I got home. I missed out on a lot of afternoon and evening activities with them. So no, I wouldn’t recommend swing shift for anyone with school-aged children. But once the kids are grown, 3-11 rocks!

Agree if it is full time. The OP will be working 3 days a week and some of those will be weekends.

 

[RuralMOSchoolRN, ADN, RN]

The worst shift I ever worked was 3P-3A.  I thought I would die driving home most times.  

3-11 sounds good--depending on how many days you work each week it will still leave you with a relatively normal sleep/wake pattern which helps a lot when you have a family.  Plus, it sounds like it would work well with your childcare situation.  Are you wanting less than 40 hours per week?

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I loved 3-11 in my twenties. Haven't worked one in a while though since I now work 12s.

3 to 11 three days a week isn't bad at all. Now, 5 days a week, it would be rough, but 24 hours seems perfect especially if you have a lot of support. 

[NO JOKES OR PUNS ALLOWED, BSN, RN]

With a four and six year old? Pass. 

If I'm going to only work part time and be exhausted and miss everything while working full time, I'd rather work 12 hour nights and get those sweet full time perks. At least I'm miserable for a reason.