Just throwing it out there

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

Just curious..... I am a night shift nurse now, 7p-7a with a set schedule that I really don't like. Yes I only work 3 nights a week and have every weekend off, but it is a set schedule, so no flexibility. I work the same spread out weekdays every week. By the time I make the hour and a half commute home after work, even if I have the night off... I have slept any productive hours of the day away.

I was offered a 3p-3a shift. Anyone reading this work(ed) that shift? Did you like it? Any drawbacks I am not thinking of, bc I think I will accept the midshift. It is not set schedule like nights. It is self scheduling and I would basically be alternating the shift with travelers. You have to work every 3rd weekend. Any comments would be appreciated :)

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Hi Fancypants.

I understand what your saying about sleeping productive hours away. I also work 7p-7a and on my first "day off" I feel is a waste because I sleep. Even if I try and stay awake I feel like a zombie. The ER where I work has a 7p-3a shift. I LOVE IT. I personally would take a set schedule of 3p-3a in a heart beat. Leaving at 3am you could get home and sleep a couple hours and still have your mornings. Take a mid afternoon nap and still have your evenings. And every 3rd weekend is still a good deal. Just my opinion. Best of luck to you and hope it all works out.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I'm another fan of 3 - 3 ... as long as you realize that you will get your butt kicked mostly every single day because those are peak busy hours. I'd seriously consider it.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

Thanks for the responses, it is a better shift for me since the overnights will never be 3 in a row for me. Altra that's the truth about having my butt handed to me - it's always busy until 3 am. It's a trade off for a better life outside of work and I still get to mostly work with night shift, who I love working with.

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I have done every shift, just about. Not in love with 7p-7a because of the actual time it takes me to prepare and recover.

I like the 3-3 shift: No need to nap prior to the shift to make it safely through. Can wake up at noon on the day after and actually do something. No need to fully reset my night/day cycle.

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Specializes in LTC.

I wish my work would offer that type of shift! I work 6p-6a. When I was an aide I would work 2p-2a and I loved it! I'd get to bed early enough that I would sleep in and then get up and still have time to do some things before heading off to work.

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