-A friend of mine did an employee referral for me to get a job at her hospital
-The referral was not for a specific position
-They emailed me last week and requested I do a personality test
-I did the personality test and passed (thanks to many of you)
-This week, I got a phone call from corporate and they did a mini interview with me via the phone
-At the very end of the phone call, the person said, "by the way, this is a night shift position"
-I was kind of caught off guard, since I never applied to a specific position, and voiced that night shift is not my first choice but explained I am still interested and do not want to pass up an opportunity in this economy
-He replied by saying this is the only new grad opening in the entire hospital
-He ended the phone call by saying he was going to forward my info over to the hospital HR and they would call me next week to set up an interview
Why I ask, "new grad/bad economy, bend over and take it?":
The way he replied by saying, this is the only new grad position in the entire hospital left me feeling like, "okay, I'm a new grad (and this economy sucks), I guess I have to bend over and take what ever they want to give me."
I'm writing to you all because I don't know how to go from here. Do I pretend that I'm all about the night shift and this is my first choice or do I go the open and honest route and express that while the night shift is not my first choice, I'm willing to give it a shot for at least a year (which is true)?
Typically, my philosophy on the employer-employee relationship is that the position should be a good fit for both the employer and the job seeker has the right to express their needs in an interview. However, since there are so little jobs available and new grads are treated like lepers, should I be willing to forfeit my rights and settle on the "bend over and take it" philosophy (and smile as I do so)?
I know there are a bunch of new grads who will say, "yes, I've been looking for a job for a long time don't be an idiot, bend over and take what they are offering and smile, don't forget to smile!" I honestly wouldn't blame anyone for saying this exact quote to me.
I should add, I know the night shift isn't a death sentence and many people really like it but I know myself and I am really sensitize to sleep deprivation and I really need sunlight to feel happy. In the winters, I deal with seasonal affected disorder and it scares me to think what little to no sunlight would do to me. This is my only concern with the night shift but I think it is a substantial one, considering it involves both my health and my happiness.
Insight and constructive criticism are welcome and I thank you all in advance.
My thread title is irritating people. Part of the reason I choose it was as an attention getter so people would read the thread.
I am sorry. I went over board.
I agree with those who say offering me the opportunity to interview for a night shift position is not, "bending over and taking it." More like earning dues as a new grad and new employee.
I would accept the position and try my best to tolerate it with a good attitude until a position you wants comes available. I would not pretend that you are gung ho about the night shift when you go to your interview, but I would definately not saying anything negative. I would just do my best to respond in a positive way to all questions. I am a night person and would love to have an all night position, but I cannot get it and I have been a nurse for 10 years and at my current job for 7 years. I am in a specialty that I really like, Pediatrics and that is the only reason I stay there and put up with the 1/2 days and 1/2 nights schedule. I loathe working days, but I just tolerate it with a positive attitude and hope that one day I will be able to work the shift I want permanently instead of intermittently. If you really need a job, getting your foot in the door is important.
Won't they start you as a graduate nurse before you pass NCLEX? At my place new grads start before taking the boards. They can't give meds but are able to go through the hospital's orientatin and then a unit orientation following a RN with their patients. Personally I don't think an interview for the "next new grad position" sounds very promising so in the meantime I wouldn't hold my breath on working for this particular hospital.
Not in my state. You must pass the boards before working. I'm not going to hold my breath.
Even experienced nurses don't just walk into a facility and get the shift they want.
Don't hospitals usually list positions online and specify whether they are a night or day positions? I understand that I'm getting throw whatever because I was referred and didn't apply for a specific position but for those that apply to positions specifically labeled as days or nights don't they get what they want, if they get the job they apply to?
I've noticed that people are a tad touchy on this site. I don't think the poster was really thinking he/she has to bend over and take it just because the job was a night shift position. Having to work a night shift when one has SAD isn't the end of the world and getting any job right now is an miracle as a new grad really. I think the poster realizes this. I think they were just using a play on words to get to the point quickly that they might have to take a less then ideal situation for them. And yes in this economy, it's a grin and bear it situation.
Very very few new grads feel entitled to anything these days. I would happily work any shift any day of the week but I don't have SAD. Using a turn of phrase to make a quick point I don't think is acting entitled. Where's the humor on this site? All new grads are feeling so down on their luck, that I can relate to the feeling of having to bend over and take it, but at the same time I am so incredibly appreciative that I found a job and I am more then happy to work my night shift and put in my dues. So easy now people...Believe me, if any new grads ever had any entitlement issues they are getting that knocked out of them right now...
I know several NGs including myself who got a dayshift job first. Actually I only know of one who does nights. Don't think so poorly of yourselves that you cannot discuss a job opportunity, and get your preferences out on the table. No guarantees of course. Someday I might decide to go nights. Who knows.
I think "bending over and taking it" is very appropriate. Hey, it's gonna truly suck to be a new nurse. The OP knows it, and is trying to see if she can control just how much it sucks. The wise know, that a handful of nurses actually work with top notch people for preceptors. WE KNOW THIS. So, the goal is to limit the damage to health and self if at all possible, get through that first year, then go back to self-teaching so that you can really excel. This shows the OP has her self-esteem intact.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
thank you all for your replies.
looks like i'll be bending over and taking the next opportunity, whatever it may be.
i just talked to hr and the orientation for this position starts feb 1st. i don't take my nclex until mid february (i told the corporate guys this but he obviously didn't pass message along to hr) so she said she is going to have to call back to set up an interview for the next new grad position that opens up.
i'll be maintaining a bent over position in the meantime... :)
that's a negative attitude. if you want to work in a hospital in a patient care position, you're going to have to work a few nights. yes, the economy is bad, but believe it or not it's always been that way. even when there was a nursing shortage, someone has to work nights and that someone was usually the someone with the least seniority. it's a great opportunity to learn and grow as a nurse and, if i dare say it, as a person.
i've worked straight days (after more than one year of seniority) and straight nights, i've worked 3-11 and i've rotated. if you have sad, nights is probably the best place for you. sad is usually worst in the winter time, when the days are shorter. if you're working days, you drive to work in the dark, you drive home in the dark, and you barely get a chance to look out the window (if there are windows) in between. when you work nights, you at least get to drive home in the daylight and can either stay up and enjoy some sunshine or go straight to bed and get up while there's still daylight.
if you want the work, take the job -- if it's offered. if that attitude shines through, however, i'm guessing it won't be offered.
Night shift usually gets out at 7am. Perfect time for someone with seasonal affectIVE disorder to get some sunlight before "bedtime." Or get up at 1-2pm and enjoy the afternoon sunlight. Plus I imagine there's a shift differential that is great for paying off those new debts you may have incurred during school.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i've noticed that people are a tad touchy on this site. i don't think the poster was really thinking he/she has to bend over and take it just because the job was a night shift position. having to work a night shift when one has sad isn't the end of the world and getting any job right now is an miracle as a new grad really. i think the poster realizes this. i think they were just using a play on words to get to the point quickly that they might have to take a less then ideal situation for them. and yes in this economy, it's a grin and bear it situation.
very very few new grads feel entitled to anything these days. i would happily work any shift any day of the week but i don't have sad. using a turn of phrase to make a quick point i don't think is acting entitled. where's the humor on this site? all new grads are feeling so down on their luck, that i can relate to the feeling of having to bend over and take it, but at the same time i am so incredibly appreciative that i found a job and i am more then happy to work my night shift and put in my dues. so easy now people...believe me, if any new grads ever had any entitlement issues they are getting that knocked out of them right now...
i beg to differ. i see a lot of entitled new grads -- on this site, during the interview process and during orientation. the op continued to use the phrase "bend over and take it" even after it was pointed out to him that most everyone has to pay some dues and work up to the shift and specialty of their choice. so yes, i think he sounded entitled. as for humor -- there's plenty here. the op just wasn't funny.
I would take it with thanks and see how you go. It will give you a foot in the door, so to speak and then a bit later with more experience, you can apply for other internal jobs (outside jobs).
Sleeping can be difficult but you can have little dozes or sleep during the day or just before you go to work to help you. Everyone's sleeping routine on nightshift seems to be different. Some days you won't sleep, I'll tell you the truth & you will go to work tired, and grumpy with stinging eyes. My mind races sometimes, and I have to get up, have a shower, read, whatever to help. But I don't do permanent nightshift. And you probably will get into a sleeping routine after a while.
Nightshifts can be very busy depending upon the unit/ward you are in, and the shifts are longer (10-12 hours). There is usually less staffing on at night. But I find with students/new grads you can get quite a bit of teaching done.
Perhaps try not to look at it as a 'death sentence', look upon it as a challenge in your career. I work in mental health a lot, and changing your perception of a situation (cognitive behavioural therapy) can help a lot. You may have a long, long nursing career, so you could see this as just one stepping stone on the road to what you really want.
If you try the job and it really doesn't suit you, you could then start applying to other places, but I would give it 6 months at least to see how you go.
I just HAVE to say this though, I can't stop myself, - and I've said this on other threads: many students/new grads I've talked to don't want to do nightshift, or work holidays, or weekends. I just do not understand why they go into this career not wanting to do shiftwork - everyone knows nurses do crazy shifts as do other jobs. And permanent RNs MUST do nightshift as well.
Is it because this is the only degree they could get into at university/college?
noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP
834 Posts
My thread title is irritating people. Part of the reason I choose it was as an attention getter so people would read the thread.
I am sorry. I went over board.
I agree with those who say offering me the opportunity to interview for a night shift position is not, "bending over and taking it." More like earning dues as a new grad and new employee.