Night/ Evening Shift Clarification

Help! This is absolutely ridiculous that I have to ask this, but what are the "normal" times for the night and evening shifts? I just passed my Boards and want to start applying for jobs and I think it would be beneficial for me to know the difference between the two. Thanks so much!

Typically evening shift is 3-11 and night shift 11-7, or 2-10 and 10-6, or it can be 4-12 and 12-8. But 3-11 and 11-7 is what is most common. Sometimes there is a half hour overlap. Depends on the place.

[amarilla, RN]

It really depends on the facility and the shifts they offer. We have a mix of eights and twelves, (mostly twelves), on my floor; for us, 'evening' refers to 3p-11p and 'night' to 11p-7a or 7p-7a (noc). Hope that helps!

Based on the facilities where I've worked or had clinicals:

Days or First Shift: 6am - 2pm or 7am - 3pm

Evenings or Second Shift: 2pm - 10pm or 3pm - 11pm

Nights or Third Shift: 10pm - 6am or 11pm - 7am

These are not exact times; most shifts are actually 8.5 hours with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break factored in. My current shift is 2nd/Evening from 2:45pm to 11:15pm. 1st is 6:45am to 3:15pm, 3rd is 10:45pm to 7:15am, and there are a few nurses on 12 hour shifts from 6:45am to 7:15pm or 6:45pm to 7:15 am. Are you confused yet?

[TheOldestNurseOnUnit]

Based on the facilities where I've worked or had clinicals:

Days or First Shift: 6am - 2pm or 7am - 3pm

Evenings or Second Shift: 2pm - 10pm or 3pm - 11pm

Nights or Third Shift: 10pm - 6am or 11pm - 7am

These are not exact times; most shifts are actually 8.5 hours with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break factored in. My current shift is 2nd/Evening from 2:45pm to 11:15pm. 1st is 6:45am to 3:15pm, 3rd is 10:45pm to 7:15am, and there are a few nurses on 12 hour shifts from 6:45am to 7:15pm or 6:45pm to 7:15 am. Are you confused yet?

OMG..that is SO funny....and so true!!!

At my place days are 7a-3:30p; PMs 3p-11:30p; Nights 11p-7:30a....with the 7a-7p & 7p to 7a people thrown in there!

I started as a Medical Assistant on the night shift back in 1976 (boy I'm dating myself here....); went to PMs--found (in my worthless opinion) that you don't have much of a life; then went to days. Currently I'm back on nights....I enjoy it; I have time to do things & I don't have to get up at 5:30am!!

Also at most places there is a differential for working PMs & nights.....you get more money for working crazier hours!

Hope this helps & good luck to you!

[Flo., BSN, RN]

We have two shifts days 7a to 7p and nights 7p to 7a.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

nights, in most places, are 7p-7a. Wherever I have worked, it's 12 hours, 36 hours a week. There are variations of shifts - but mostly days 7a-7p, mid evenings is 11a-11p and nights 7p-7a. Working where it's 8 hours, as above per previous posters.

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the responses. I have a grasp on it now. :)