Need Opinion

[movingforward12]

Hello,

I am due for an interview with a hospital that offers rotating shifts. I am very interested in working at this hospital but the only problem that I have is the schedule. I used to work night shift and I prefer to work day shift instead. They do offer straight night, so if anything I would rather take that over the rotating shift.

My dilema is that I really need a job and dont want to pass up this opportunity. My plan is to work day shift and I dont see myself working night shift long term. I have put in applications in other hospitals for daytime shift and am hoping to get accepted there. In the meantime, I want to start working even if it is at night. I dont want to accept a position at this hospital knowing that I will not be there long term. I would feel terrible since its a permanent position and they anticipate that you will stay with them long term. I was thinking I could take a PRN job there, but I dont even know if they are offering this. If infact they do have a PRN job available, Im anticipating that I will work night shift since most likely the days will be taken. Again, I dont see myself working long term PRN night shift while having a full time day job, if I end up getting one. I appreciate any suggestions offered.

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

If you are truly interested in working for the rotating/night shift facility I recommend discussing with the manager about an opportunity to move to a day-time position when it becomes available.

Many nurses I work with begin on nights and sign up on a day-shift wait list, usually the wait is about a year or less.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

At my old hospital, straight days existed only for people who had been on the floor for like 10 years. The hospital functioned on rotating shifts and that meant that EVERYONE rotated other than those who work permanent nights. That was also something you had to give years to the hospital to be able to do... my floor had a waiting list to go to nights. This particular hospital only hired new staff into rotating positions. The hospital you are applying to may have similar policies. You can always ask though.

[movingforward12]

Thank you for your suggestions. I have decided not to accept the job offer, if infact they do offer it to me. The hospital is pretty far from me and I can imagine during rush hour it will take a long time to get there, probably around 45min - 1hr, if there is no accident. I dont want to commute that long. In addition, there are hospitals much closer to me offering the same schedule, rotating shifts. Im hoping, however, to work at a hospital that offers day shift.

I asked the recruiter if they have straight days and she said that they do have a few nurses with that shift but they are senior nurses. So its based on seniority. I can only imagine that the wait period to have such a schedule will be many, many years. That doesnt seem very appealing to me.