Nights or Days better for New Grad

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Is night shift better for new grads than day shift? I'm working days and I can't seem to find time to learn what I feel like I should be learning about charting and etc. I had 6wks w/preceptor and have been on my own for about a month. I feel like I should have a better handle on things than I do right now. I have asked to go to nights and have been told by my mgr that we would discuss this again in 2 wks, that I might settle down and like days. Meanwhile, there are 2 openings on night shift and I want to try nights. I did my 120hr clinicals at night and all my friends that are working nights say it is much more conducive for the transition into nursing. Let me know what you think and any advice, pros, and cons would be appreciated.:confused:

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

nights can be tough too. most facilities give you more patients so if you do not have your time management down, more patients (old people do not sleep) + the additional paper work at night can = a disaster for inexperienced nurses, especially new grads. i think your real problem is the short orientation.

i worked in two different facilities and was oriented more then 6 weeks in both cases! in fact, i have not allowed anyone to take me off of orientation under two months. i told my hiring mangers i want at least that amount of time and no one has argued. if you cannot get back on orientation, then move to nights. your floor should put you back on orientation at that point just to help you with the transition. normally this is only for a few shifts, but it can be your opportunity to have your orientation extended if you wish. gl!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I work nights on a Neuro floor and we get the same amount of patients that days get.(4-5 patient). Nights are way better. The only problem is people don't sleep as well when their in pain and some people act crazy at night.(Neuro wise). They give you extra work to do at night and you have to be able to stay up all night. That can be a problem for some. The pace is slower but sometimes its very busy and I run around all night. Good Luck in whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I'm working as a new grad on my unit, at nights. I spent one week on days, plus all of my time on the new grad unit on days. I much prefer nights. I have time to go through the charts and learn what's going on with the patients, and what the plan is for them. I also don't have to deal with doctors all shift long, and families are scarce. It's just the patients. I'm loving nights.

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I prefer nights, much slower pace for transition

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Specializes in ED.

my mom who's a nurse told me that nights is better because of the pace. Im orienting days right now i have 4 weeks more to go

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks everyone, I will let you know what happens. I am hoping they do keep their word on talking to me in 2wks about night shift. :lol2:

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I prefer nights because I simply prefer to work nights in general as it works better with my sleep schedule. That said, I actually prefer the pace and workload of days. Days gets a lighter patient load (25%) and they get more support staff (charge nurse, secretary, and usually an extra CNA). On nights, I feel like I run around like mad for the first four hours and again the last four hours while trying to let patients sleep as much as possible in the middle four hours. On days, I can spend the whole shift doing what I need without feeling like I'm constantly disturbing my patients' rest which lets me keep a steady pace that isn't too slow or too rushed. And I've always managed a 30 minute lunch on dayshift (off the floor!) while on nights "lunch" is whatever I snack on while at the desk.

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I would say days is better for a new grad. I was able to orient on days and nights and they are at two ends of the spectrum. Nights was so boring for me. I only had a couple of meds to give and just a whole bunch of paper work. But on days you get to learn soo much as a new grad and you really develop technical skills. On the day shift, I get to do a lot of wound care, start IVs, hang blood, etc. It is crazier on days but i feel it is a great learning experience for me.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

This is an update and very frustrating!:mad: I have been given the run around about going to night shift. I've been told that we have more resources on day shift, but yet day shift doesn't work as a team. I went to HR and when they spoke to my mgr and DON they were told I needed to work on my skills, yet in my 90 eval I was told my skills were excellent. I am very confused and have caught this Mgr is several lies when discussing why I can't go to night shift, which does work as a team. I've been told it is hospital policy not to transfer for a year. That is why I went to HR and they told me this absolutely did not refer to shift changes on the same floor. Now I have to sit down with this Mgr that has lied to me and the DON tomorrow and listen to them during some kind of meeting of which will happen sometime during the day........I wasn't given any details. Also, our unit has been told if we want time off we have to use our PTO or leave the calendar days blank and take our chances of getting those days off. We can't request time off w/o pay. Anybody ever heard of this? Opinions appreciated and thanks for letting me vent.

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lucky you, I don't get chance to choose day or night, right now no hospital hiring new grad, at least, I have not get in yet. sign!

new grad for 1 year.

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