New grads resigned to night work?

Nurses General Nursing

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Just curious, can you experienced people speak on this matter? I understand that newbies will not have seniority, but what are the chances of a new grad getting a day job (assuming jobs can be found) right out of school? I never have been a night person, but obviously will do what I need to.....just wondering.

Thanks for any info or opinions!

Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I was a new grad, and started my job in July. During my final interview my manager shocked me by asking, "Do want nights or days". Honestly, I thought it was a trick question. I was like really I have a choice. I picked nights because I am a night person, but I could have had a spot on days if I wanted.

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Specializes in FNP.

Depends on the institution. In our ED, you will be cashing a social security check before you get a day position. The staff is set, only in their 40s or early 50s and not going anywhere. Ditto for PACU. However, in our CCU, days have been easier to get. We only have 2 day shift and 3 night shift RNs. I do PT nights, and there are 2 FT night people. I'm the newest and I've been there 10 years. The others have been there 16 and 23 years respectively. One of the day shift RNs has been there 30+ years, but will probably retire in about 10. The other one has only been there 8 years, and I don't think she'll be a lifer. I have resigned and my job is taken, so the next one will be the day person that I suspect will leave in a few years when her daughter graduates from college. She wants to do travel nursing then...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

I was given my choice of nights or days when I started 2 1/2 years ago. Some of our more experienced staff prefer nights anyhow.

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Specializes in FNP.
I was given my choice of nights or days when I started 2 1/2 years ago. Some of our more experienced staff prefer nights anyhow.

Definitely. I would never staff on days again.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
Depends on the institution. In our ED, you will be cashing a social security check before you get a day position. The staff is set, only in their 40s or early 50s and not going anywhere. Ditto for PACU. However, in our CCU, days have been easier to get. We only have 2 day shift and 3 night shift RNs. I do PT nights, and there are 2 FT night people. I'm the newest and I've been there 10 years. The others have been there 16 and 23 years respectively. One of the day shift RNs has been there 30+ years, but will probably retire in about 10. The other one has only been there 8 years, and I don't think she'll be a lifer. I have resigned and my job is taken, so the next one will be the day person that I suspect will leave in a few years when her daughter graduates from college. She wants to do travel nursing then...

That says a lot about your unit and retention. That's quite rare and commendable. In my unit, day positions become available as the unit sees the need. We have overlapping shifts...i.e 8-4, 9-5, 10-6, 11-7, etc.,

It works well for a lot of people, but difficult to come into my unit without a solid and I mean a solid background in nursing.The group is very, very, very picky--and that decreases our stress a lot.

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In my hospital they rotate us new grads to fill in the short shifts,so both night & day shifts varies week to week. People keep quitting. I would kill for a night or a day position, just something I could at least adjust to. I want one or the other, not both!

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I was told in my interview to expect nights, which I assumed would happen and I was fine with it. After my 16 week orientation they offerred me a midshift position (11a-11p), but I chose to take the 7p-7a instead. It's a little slower pace, more autonomy, more money per hour, and I see my children more then I would with the midshift.

So it's not a given that you'll have to work nights, but I would prepare for that to be the case and if you're offerred a day slot then you'll be pleasantly surprised :nurse:

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I was lucky to land a day position as a new grad during the recession of the 1990's.

Of course, it was not my first choice of what I wanted to do, but it paid the bills and gave me skills.

Floors that have lots of turnover(often for good reason) have more openings for all shifts available.

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Specializes in cardiac-telemetry, hospice, ICU.

Thanks a lot everyone for your input! It was surprising to see so many people were offered day jobs.

Thanks again

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