New Grad: Mom doesn't want me to work night shift

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 11, 2009

Hi! I am a new graduate in a MICU at my hospital. I signed up for nights becuase that was the only time available i could have for ICU, I don't mind though because I'm a night owl and I think it will faciliate my learning better since things maybe slower. My mother is concerned with me working at night though (I'm only 21, but I live at home b/c I'm trying to save for grad school). Right now I'm still on days because I'm still in orientation, but once I'm off I'll be on nights. She was fine with it, but now I think she's coming to the realization that my orientation will be ending soon and she wants me to stay on days. I can't seem to shake this thought from her to try to convince me to go to the day shift. Can anyone give me any advice to make my mom feel more comfortable about going to nights?

Is your mother working in the nursing/medical field? Or does she know people who do? Most people who are not do not really understand that most times, nurses have to work from the bottom, so to speak regarding preferred shifts, holidays, weekends, etc. If she did, she should have been well aware this would happen all the while you were studying and attending clinicals.

In any event, while you are living under her roof, you are a grown woman who is embarking on a new career. You can break it to her gently, but she cannot stop you, really. Maybe she will feel lonely while you are working nights? Tell her that nursing is a 24/7 job and there will always be people who need trained, competent caregivers in the wee hours of the morning to care for them, and explain to her that these are slower hours where you can probably learn better.