new nurses and shifts

EastCoast · Oct 11, 2003

It might be a buyers market for shift work right now. Be careful b/c many hospitals have 'day rotators' where you rotate a certain percentage of time to an off shift. I will tell you though that some of your best experience will be had working a good year of nights where you can really focus on building your skills and often the nurses are seasoned and very helpful. (12 hour shifts might work good for you as it's not a 5 day a week postion. ) However, If you come out of school and think that you are only going to work a day job you might miss a lot of opportunity to grow.

I worked all shifts and managed several units and felt there was great commraderity among nites and evening shift more so that the day shift. IMO.

sjoe · Oct 11, 2003

"when new nurses graduate and get their first RN jobs, is it common for them to get stuck on a night shift?"

Not in my experience. Ordinarily a new nurse needs substantial orientation/precepting--months--which usually occurs on day shift. After that training is completed, of course, being lowest on the seniority roster, new nurses often have the last choice in assignments, schedules, etc.

It is wise to know your limits and to establish them very clearly, and in writing, with prospective employers, to avoid quitting just after orientation time and time again--particularly during one's first year. Looks rather bad, as you might think. If you are not willing to work night shift or weekends or mandatory overtime or whatever, make that very clear UP FRONT, in other words. Otherwise, you are being dishonest and can expect the same from them.

Remember:

EastCoast · Oct 11, 2003

Originally posted by sjoe
If you are not willing to work night shift or weekends or mandatory overtime or whatever, make that very clear UP FRONT, in other words. Otherwise, you are being dishonest and can expect the same from them.

Hired a new nurse in good faith and 3 rd month into job told me she couldn't work nite shift b/c of crohns disease (still can't figure this out). as well she also arrived with a list of other things that didn't 'work out' for her....such a valentines and halloween (my pet peeves) she was however able to work 16 hour shifts day into evening if it suited her to get another day off. Prior to her coming into the unit she had been a night shift nurse for several years on the tele unit. This 'contingent' scheduling did nothing but creat animosity among the staff towards her. there was a huge amount of back biting and she wasn't considered a strong member of our staff.

Elenaster · Oct 11, 2003

I think you'll be able to get a day shift position, particularly if you live in area where hospitals are competing for new nurses. However, you may not be able to work in the area of your choosing.

jwhitrn · Oct 11, 2003

I remember saying those exact words, "I'm not a night person", when I was in school and a new grad....however, now, I would not trade working nights for anything. You really never know until you try it.

stella123 rn · Oct 11, 2003

I love my pm shift too (3p-3A). I wanted days also. They had to move me to pms after being there a couple of months because of staffing. I would not go back to days for anything!!!!

Ruby Vee, BSN · Oct 11, 2003

An attitude of "I can't work nights; I'm just not a night person" is the wrong attitude to go in with. It will alienate your employers and co-workers, plus it will make you miserable. If you honestly feel that you can't work nights and aren't even willing to give it a try, don't even try to work in a hospital! Even some of the clinics, Recovery Room and radiology nursing jobs have some call that includes night shift. If you're lucky enough to get one of those jobs straight out of school. If you're wise, you'll look at a year of night shift as a way to build skills and knowledge base before moving on to something you think you'll like better.

fahamesha · Oct 11, 2003

To comment on about working nights it may be hard at first but your body will adjust. I am not a night person myself but I would like to work nights because I have a chance to learn more and also it will allow me the flexiblilty with my family.

RNKPCE · Oct 11, 2003

Staying up studying is not a fair comparison to see if you could work nights. I have only worked a few night shifts in my career but if you are up and moving, not sitting and studying, you can stay awake. For example I would never be able to work nights as a telemetry tech, sitting watching the monitors.

Shortly after graduating I got married and did not want to work PM's so I assummed I would be working nights. Well the funny thing was there were no night openings so I got hired onto days. All the night crew were happy on their shift. My unit has hired most of their new nurses onto days.

Don't give up yet. Things changed fast. I graduated from nursing school in the month of December(many years ago). The summer before I graduated I picked up applications at the places I wanted to work, one place said they rarely hired new grads, and when they did they usually had preceptorships there. Well wouldn't you know 4 mos later I graduated and my friend and myself both got hired at this hospital that didn't hire new grads. Nursing is ever changing. Don't give up!

kae rn · Oct 11, 2003

I don't think you have to work nights. Look at working a day/evening rotation. Not everyone can work nights. Straight days is probably not a possibility unless you work in a clinic or doctor's office.

Chrislynn2003 · Oct 11, 2003

You won't necessarily have to get stuck on night shift. From what I know, there are people that love to work night shift and wouldn't be willing to do anything else. In other words, I think that wiht the nursing shortage, they are looking for people on all shifts. I know many new grads that work days 7-3:30 and evenings 3-11:30.

Christine