New Grad- Graveyard Shift Advice

LVNfairy · Mar 27, 2009

BTW, my mom is a RN BSN and is in management and has been a nurse for 30+ years. She works at 2 huge hospitals and told me that she STILL has to work crazy shifts and when she got her job at the second hospital she had to work graveyards for a year before she got days, it seems like you don't always get what you want. And with me being SOOO tight on the wed thur fri thing I really hope i can find a job, bc i need to watch my daughter while my husband sleeps during the day sun mon and tue; we really cant afford daycare at the time being.

pshs_2000 · Mar 27, 2009

I'm asssuming this means you got the job you were talking about in your other post? If so, congratulations!! I would ask if it would be possible to first be oriented on days and then transition to night shift. There are a lot of things that happen on days that help put the entire 24-hour hospital process in perpsective (well, at least for me it did). This may also help you see if this job is a good fit for you. As far as the shift time goes, ask questions, DON'T ASSUME. Night shift does take some getting used to, and working 3-12s in a row can be hard. However, I don't have any family or outside responsibilities when I schedule my 3-12s so I think it's easier for me. Discuss the scheduling options with your NM and then with your husband and see if it might be a good fit for you and your family.

Hope this helps.

retiredlady · Mar 28, 2009

I doubt that you could get a job and just work wed, thur, fri. You would probably be required to work every other weekend and take call for full-time unless they were really low on nurses. You probably could work part-time with that schedule. 12 hour shifts are usually 3 one week and 4 the next for full-time. I worked part-time for years and picked up extra shifts if I needed and still got health benefits, 401K, and life insurance. Does your hospital have child care?

Bklyn_RN · Mar 28, 2009

Congrats if you already were offered the position. If not this whole discussion is moot.

In NY it is near impossible for an RN to find work in a hospital...much less ICU...much less a new grad!

Even RNs are having difficulties finding jobs in this economy.

My point is, count your blessing if you got this job.

As a new hire you do not get to choose a lot. Your mom might have mentioned this.

My first job was nights on a med/surg floor. The orientation was on days for 10 weeks. I chose nights because it was more convenient. My husband worked 4p to 12a x 5days. I had to enlist friends and family to assist with childcare. Sometimes money had to change hands.

You have to decide whats best for your particular situation. Even if it means passing up a once in a lifetime opportunity. If the timing is wrong.

It is besides the point to tell you that the night shift is usually the best shift to start out on because its a slower pace and less hectic. You can take your time and develop your skills. Plus with 4 days off you will have mini vacations to do things with your family. All this doesn't matter if you can't work 12hrs nights.

Anyway good luck, with whatever you decide.

whipping girl in 07, RN · Mar 28, 2009

You may have trouble finding a job in this economy with being limited to what days you can work, especially if you can't work weekends. I started as a new grad on nights and I thought it was a good environment for learning. Your orientation will probably be at least some on days though, mine was about half and half. I worked every other weekend my first year, then every third weekend after that, until I went to weekend option.

You may have to use some child care even if you don't want to, just to have some flexibility. And with you and your husband never being home at the same time, it may be hard on your marriage. You need some time as a family.