Is working night shift expected of new grads?

Aneroo, LPN · Feb 24, 2006

I think it really depends on the unit you're going to.

If it's someplace that is already short shifted, you're more likely to have to work nights at times. It may only be once or twice a month though.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2006

If you can get a job at an outpatient clinic and it works for you and your family more power to ya, go for it. Nothing says a new grad HAS to work night shift. Its just most facilities dont have much BUT nights or a rotation available.

Sometimes you can find a shift or co-worker who prefers nights and there is a possibility that you can switch your night shift rotation for her days, thereby both of you working the shift you prefer. So dont give up. Just know that nursing IS a 24/7 job and that means night shift sometimes. Regardless of seniority in nursing.

bonjovigirl · Feb 24, 2006

I was recently (may 05) a new grad. I got a day shift with no problem. As a matter of fact, on my floor when a night position opens its filled immediatly, day positions stay available for ages. *sigh* I often fantasize about working night shift....

So short answer, you may not have that hard of a time finding a day position. And don't worry about "jumping rank". At least at my facility, an experienced nurse gets first dibs on positions. Whatevers left is for new people.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 24, 2006

More often than not, yes, you are more likely to work night shift first off, right out of school. I do know in our med-surg unit, dayshifts do come up often. However, in OB, my specialty, it can take YEARS for your turn at days to come up. Sigh.....

Mourkoth · Feb 26, 2006

I work at OHSU in Portland OR. They have a 6 dollar an hour night dif and free parking for night people. That doesn't sound like much but the day and evening shifts have to pay 10 dollars per day for parking. I'm a 20 yr veteran and I love the night shift. At least here, the new grads have to work day shift.

78BugRN · Feb 26, 2006

I wanted night shift when I graduated. I've been happier as a night owl since I first got the opportunity to work the shift in nursing school. My first two sections of orientation were on days. Very rough on me but, survived. My third section of orientation, I switched to nights and I've been there since. The shift you get hired for will depend on the open jobs on the unit you apply to. Day jobs have been staying open for long periods of time where I am but, nights doesn't seem to have as much of a problem finding staff. Good luck to you. :)

mandrews · Feb 26, 2006

Hi--
I graduate 5/12/06 and am applying for jobs. Is it expected of new grads to work nights? I have two kids and would like to at least try to get a day shift. There are some outpatient clinics hiring; I thought about applying to one of those. I don't want to make anyone upset by "jumping rank" or anything.

New grads can go to days if there is an opening. Night people usually stay on nights because they have a system that works with their children. the shift diff is good. We do not have any night people who are wanting to go to days at my hospital. We work three 12's and have 4 days off.

I have two kids also, 6 and 8. I chose the hospital over clinics in my area because they pay more and because they offered insurance where some of the clinics and dr offices surprisingly do not have insurance. My husband works days and I work nights. My children no longer have to go to daycare except for about an hour after school gets out and in the summer they are home with me. My inlaws live next door so they stay at their house on days I sleep or they quietly play in their rooms or watch tv. I am a very light sleeper. When school is in session they ride to school with my husband and the house is quiet and I can sleep. If my children get sick at school or they have a program I can pick them up or go to the school if I need to without hub leaving work.

I think what I like most about nights is it is slower so the other nurses had more time to help me when I needed it. The docs were seldom there so I didn't feel intimidated by them. It was just a better learning environment for me because i graduated with no experience. I had never been a cna or anything.

melissa

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Feb 26, 2006

It really depends on the facility. If there is an opening for days or eves or nights and no one in house wants it, then you can get it. Thats how it was in the 4 healthcare facilities that I worked for. You can get whatever shift is open that a current employee does not want. Usually there are mostly night shift positions that current employees don't want and that is why new grads get offered them. But as soon as something else opens up you will have a chance in getting it over someone else from outside, new grad or nurse of 20 years. So if you want days, apply for days but don't expect there to be a current opening. If you wanted a specific floor of a specific hospital sometimes its best to take whatever shift it is, something usually pops up on the desired shift within a year or so.

jhushon · Feb 26, 2006

When I first started,I worked 8 hour day and night shift rotation. We had 2 kids in the house at the time and I had no trouble with it. First I made sure I would only work clusters of each (2 wks days, 2wks nights). I found that on the night shifts I would acutally get home on time. the kids had to get up early because the school bus came at 7:15 so they would be gone when I got home and I went to bed right away. By the time they got home from school, they pretty much wanted to veg for an hour or so. So I could start my day and get supper on the table, help with the homework and get them to bed , same as I would if I worked dayshift. So it worked out very well for us. Of course, the kids were old enough to get themselves ready for school after DH got them up.

AgentR · Feb 26, 2006

Several units have told me they have day shift positions open. I'm actually aiming for night shift, so I was surprised!

alpine76 · Mar 1, 2006

Hi--
I graduate 5/12/06 and am applying for jobs. Is it expected of new grads to work nights? I have two kids and would like to at least try to get a day shift. There are some outpatient clinics hiring; I thought about applying to one of those. I don't want to make anyone upset by "jumping rank" or anything.

i feel what you are saying. I am a new grad RN and I applied at 4 hospitals that i wanted to work in the ICU or step down cedars, usc university, usc county and ucla and all of only offered me a night shift. and get this ucla called me and had nerve to offer me one month days and one month nights can you believe that i would be delirous going back and forth!