New Grad - Big Decision!

mlvnurse03 · Jan 30, 2008

Well, I would probably start out in the Telemetry unit. That is going to get you some great experience! Which maybe you will be able to get on days if an opening comes up.

CABG patch kid, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2008

If you really wanted telemetry to begin with, go for it. Who cares if its nights? Yes, your social life may suffer a bit, but in the grand scheme of things, what is some time on nights if it gains you experience that you want and the seniority you need to go to days? Your manager (hopefully) will respect your hard work on a shift you may not prefer and will remember that when a day position opens up and another new grad can take your place on night shift in the future.

You never know, you may end up really loving the night shift and not want to leave.

BTW, I don't know too many new grads who automatically get day shifts, from what I've seen, starting on nights is the norm these days.

Roseyposey · Feb 2, 2008

i'm a new grad and i've been faced with the decision of working either 12hr shifts on days on a busy post-surgical unit -or- working nights on a busy cardiac telemetry unit. i really had my heart set on working days on the telemetry floor but now the only way to work there is if i start off on nights. i'm 23 and worried that i will have no life if i work nights and that i will never get used to working overnight.
if anyone has any suggestions as to which i should choose or any advice about starting to work nights please share with me!
ps- i'm faced with this decision while i'm in the middle of still studying for the nclex which i will take feb 25th:no:

you need to really think about how night shifts will impact your life. i took a night position thinking i would adjust and never did. you will learn a lot on a surgical floor. you will gain a lot of skills that can transfer to a telemetry floor once a day shift position opens, too. if, however, you are only interested in telemetry, that may be the choice for you.

twarlik · Feb 2, 2008

Is the night shift job a 12 hour shift? I worked 12 hour nights for two years and loved it. I think the majority of people can adjust to nights with little difficulty.

Remember that there are many other differences between working nights and days other than the sleeping schedule. I personally think new grads are better on days in the beginning since there is much more support available. This idea that new grads have to start out on nights is just crazy. Night shift is usually a skeleton crew with very few resources for the novice nurse. However, if you're a new grad with a good head on your shoulders than nights can often work out fine.

Good luck with the NCLEX!

Todd

KrisssyKris116 · Feb 2, 2008

I personally think new grads are better on days in the beginning since there is much more support available. This idea that new grads have to start out on nights is just crazy. Night shift is usually a skeleton crew with very few resources for the novice nurse.

Well they say that it's too hard and stressful to get thrown into the day shift as a new nurse because there's so much going on. That's why they prefer us new grads to work nights.. slower pace.

twarlik · Feb 2, 2008

Well they say that it's too hard and stressful to get thrown into the day shift as a new nurse because there's so much going on. That's why they prefer us new grads to work nights.. slower pace.

Who are "they"?

Yes, day shift is busier. You also have much more support and resources that new grads need.

KrisssyKris116 · Feb 2, 2008

Well for instance, I work in the hospital currently as an aide and last week I met with my future manager and director and they pretty much scared the crap out of me when they were explaining how crazy the telemetry floor gets for a new grad during the day. They were saying how they keep a close eye on the new grads to see if they have what it takes... I think I might be better off getting the hang of things with out the added pressure of them watching over me at night. Plus at night I won't have to interact with the docs that much... I'd rather get the hang of being an RN and then get thrown into the craziness of dealing with the doctors/managers/patient families. I'm just really worried about the sleep issues with working overnight.