Night Shifts?

Nursing Students General Students

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So I heard recently that nurses who are new grads, newly licensed, etc, usually get assigned to night shifts at their first job, because of lack of seniority. First of all, I heard this from a nurse friend, who did that and works nights now because she enjoys it.

I was just wondering if there was a lot of truth behind this. I'm prone to migraines, and I'm a bit worried about how a night shift would affect that.

Anyone want to weigh in on this? (: thanks.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Who did you "hear" this from? When you apply for a job it should state whether it is days or nights. If you do not want to work nights do not apply for a job that is nights. Many nurses do work nights when they first start.

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Who did you "hear" this from? When you apply for a job it should state whether it is days or nights. If you do not want to work nights do not apply for a job that is nights. Many nurses do work nights when they first start.

I was told this by a friend (that I know in person) who is a nurse.

Okay, thank you.

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

It's very common to start out on nights. Not impossible to get hired on a day shift, but I think you'll find more new grad openings will be for eve/night shift. Evenings 3-11 hires quite a few new grads where I'm at as well, but many facilities do 12's.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

It depends on where you are. Where I work the new grads usually start out on days. They want them to get the experience and exposure to the things you see on days plus the nurses that are orienting the new grads work days. Usually the ones that want straight nights are the older nurses.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgial, Cardiac, Pediatrics.

It probably depends on where you are, but a lot of places hire to the needed shifts, which do tend to be nights. A lot of places look at days as a seniority position. I prefer working nights, and actually am going back after doing days for a while.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I was hired to day shift, immediately assigned to nights, and have been working nights for 6 weeks. They claimed it was due to lack of available preceptors on day shift, but there might be something to what you've heard. I don't mind, though. I actually wanted to work nights, but got days because there were supposedly no night positions available. I would switch and stay on nights after my preceptorship if I could.

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Most new nurses do work nightshift (at least in my area). I worked nights for almost 4 years. I did this willingly, passing up multiple offers to move to days. In nursing school, I dreaded the thought of working nights but soon realized how great nightshift is. I also get severe migraines. I didn't realize it at the time, but my migraines have decreased since I have stopped working. Not sure if this is from having a normal sleep schedule or just from not working in general. Whatever shift you work, you will be able to adjust.

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I have been a night shift nurse for over two years and I love it! On my unit, it is not necessarily the place the new nurses start; however it is the preferred place. You learn your job without the added hassle of occupational therapy, physical therapy, case managers, social workers, management, visitors (yes we get some at night but not as many), and not to mention the 100s of tests and procedures that can be run every day. Starting on nights, lets you focus on the job without all of the distractions.

When I was told I was starting on nights, I told my manager that I wanted to go to days as soon as possible, but then I realize how much I loved it, and I can not imagine ever working days! I suffer from migraines as well, and I have not had an increase in the number that I have had, maybe just the opposite. My advice for your would be to try nights, go in with an open mind, get a good sleep schedule and see what works for you. Good luck

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Most new nurses do work nightshift (at least in my area). I worked nights for almost 4 years. I did this willingly, passing up multiple offers to move to days. In nursing school, I dreaded the thought of working nights but soon realized how great nightshift is. I also get severe migraines. I didn't realize it at the time, but my migraines have decreased since I have stopped working. Not sure if this is from having a normal sleep schedule or just from not working in general. Whatever shift you work, you will be able to adjust.

Thanks for the reassurance. ^^

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Thanks, everyone who replied. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge, experience, and advice. :)

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

This is common but not universal. More people want to work days on most units, so generally as day shift positions open up, they're taken by night shifters who want to go to days, and new hires- new grads or not- go to nights. But it's definitely not universal. I've been hired for night shift positions that became day positions before my orientation was over- unit staffing needs change all the time, and some people love nights and would never leave. I wouldn't have left if it weren't for the fact that on night shift I basically never see my day shift husband. Plus you get paid more!

I am prone to migraines and worked night shift for years- as long as you're thoughtful about your scheduling and habits, it's not too bad. And I do think nights are usually a less stressful shift for new grads (not less work- but different in culture and the the number of non-nursing issues you have to deal with).

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