New LPN, just passed state boards on Aug. 12! Today, after a month of waiting for a call back, and 15 applications out there, I was FINALLY offered a job at a local SNF. At first, the woman told me I could choose between 1st or 2nd shift. I obviously picked first because what new nurse would turn that down!? How great, even if I have to work a holiday, I'll still be home early in the day! And on regular days, I'll be home to have dinner with my fiancee, see my friends, etc.
Well...I knew it was too good to be true. A couple of hours later, I got a call saying someone from the inside was interested and it's their policy that the employees who are already there have first pick. (The hiring woman apparently didn't know this other nurse was really interested until after she & I had talked.)
So now, after that tease of a 1st shift lifestyle (being home early, having the same schedule as all my friends/family), I have to switch my mentality to being a 2nd shift-er, and I'd like opinions from you guys out there!
Here are some of the pro's & con's that I'm able to think of, and I'd like to hear more if you can think of some!
PRO'S:
+ shift diff. of $1 more per hour
+ never having to set a 6 a.m alarm
+ still being able to enjoy my weekends even if I have to work (work on Saturday at 3pm means I can still go out Friday night if I wanted to!)
+ residents will be going to bed by the end of my shift so perhaps I'll have time to chart, etc
+ ability to transfer to a 1st shift position once I have my foot in the door
+ F/T job with benefits, tuition reimbursement, $300/year clothing allowance, employer matches your 401K contribution
CON'S:
- opposite schedule than everyone else I know
- getting in at 11:30pm & having my fiancee probably already asleep, or close to it!
- not being able to go rent a movie, grab a bite to eat, get a coffee with my friends or fiancee (I know this sounds silly, but I enjoy those little things!)
- working on a holiday 3-11pm pretty much takes your entire day away (who wants Thanksgiving dinner at noon ...or midnight?)
- not being able to unwind/fall asleep after work until probably 1 a.m
I also love 3-11: it's a slower pace, patients are usually winding down towards the end of it, less meds to pass, less management to deal with, more money, and most important: no rush-hour traffic. I have no patience for traffic.
The downside is that when I get home, everyone's asleep...but it'll take me a couple of hours to wind down. So I'll get to bed around 1:30-2 only to get up a few hours later because the rest of the family isn't on 2nd shift. Also, you do have less of a day for yourself than you'd have if you worked 1st shift--you just have the morning, really, because 3pm really means you have to be there at 2:30pm or so, so you have to start getting ready for work around 1-1:30.
I absolutely love working the 2nd shift (3p-11:30P). It is very stressful, I work at a subacute rehab and all the admissions come around 6pm plus a lot gets endorsed to us from first shift. Despite all of that, I'm the type of person who doesn't sleep until 3am and get up around 11 in the afternoon. I hate getting up earlier than 9am unless it's an appointment of any sort or a meeting I have to attened. I usually get to workout before I go to work so I'm very positive and cheerful at work even though the stress levels are skyrocketed.
86toronado, BSN, RN
1 Article; 528 Posts
I love second shift... I'd probably be working it if I didn't prefer 12's.
Pros are:
-you don't even have set your alarm clock
-you can get things done before you go to work each day, like working out, housework.
-running errands like grocery shopping is super easy, stores are never crowded at noontime.
-making appointments is also super easy, because you never have to ask for late in the day, it can be pretty much any time.
-when you get home it's not all that late, so you can relax a little before going to bed.
-you make more money (3.25-7.50/ hour where I work)
-you only have to feed patients one meal
-PM care is a lot less involved than AM care
-PM med pass is usually way less involved too
-Day shift has to park offsite in a lot of places, evening and nights rarely do.
Cons are:
-You are only home for dinner a couple times a week
-Family members usually visit after work hours (but you can kick them out when visiting hours are over)
-you get more admissions on evening shift
-if you had kids, it would be a tough shift to work when they are in school
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