Need some help tonight, please!

As much as night time is quieter and thus more *time* maybe to learn, I think you learn way more on days. Thats when docs round and discuss plan of care, procedures are done, specialists come on by (OT, PT, SLP) etc. It's much busier b/c theres so much more going on and thus much more opportunity to learn.

My opinion.

As much as night time is quieter and thus more *time* maybe to learn, I think you learn way more on days. Thats when docs round and discuss plan of care, procedures are done, specialists come on by (OT, PT, SLP) etc. It's much busier b/c theres so much more going on and thus much more opportunity to learn.

My opinion.

That is so true.

Take the days. They are not as easy to come by as nights and if you want to switch to nights later, you will probably be able to. You will learn more working days. Also, if you are working nights, you will lose your sleep time if the kids are sick whereas if you are working days, you won't.

I'm a card nurse, TAKE THE DAY SHIFT! lots more happens, it fast paced. Just remember be confident and ASK FOR HELP! good luck, remember troponin is the key :)

I second, third and fourth what everyone has said.

TAKE THE DAY SHIFT!!!!!!!!!

I precepted on days, then went to nights. I have an 8 year old and a tremendously supportive husband, but nights stunk. It's very hard to sleep away the day after being away all night, esp on weekends when everyone is up and about. It's hard physically and mentally.

In my perfect world, I would make new grads work days for at least the first year. You learn SOOOOOO much. I think I learned one new thing since switching to nights.

I graduated in May 2006, I had 10 weeks or orientation on Days and then just recently switched to nights. Days you seem to do alot more skills, and see new opportunities and Dr's are around to ask questions with. But at times I feel like a chicken with my head cut off. It is a very busy floor, trying to keep up with dr. orders, Medications, Procedures, what patient is going where. It is sometimes hard to get organized. I am such a day person so at first nights were a little difficult to adjust to but nights are somewhat easier, in the way that patients are usually in their room, (not down for tests) you can get more orgainized as a new nurse -but you don't do as much as far as skills that you do during the day. I work three 12's. so it is not to bad, and the pay is much better at night $4.00 more. . My kids are older (in their early 20's) so I don't have to worry about them. It's a hard decision which shift to work. I will give nights a shot for a few months, If it gets to much I will try and find a day shift. Good luck

Thanks everyone for responding and giving me your input. I am going to take the day shift and I am just waiting to hear back from the nurse manager. I did so much today and it was only the first day that I cannot wait to go back on Fri. Granted I was busy, very busy but I didn't mind. I just can't believe how much I learned!