Nights and weekends as neede

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A hospital in my area has recently been posting day shift positions that require evening and night shifts as needed. I've spoken to nurses who have taken these positions and they are already looking for other jobs because switching shifts is hard on them. I've seen hospitals that have rotating shifts but also have some positions that are strictly days. This hospital has said that all new day shift positions will require other shifts as needed. Is this a new trend? I hope it isn't.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Where I am most positions are more than one shift. I recently didn't apply for a position that was straight days.I would be bored to death. I like working different shifts.Yes it is hard on my already bad sleeping but I adjust.

^This...

I have always had cyclical sleeping issues, but most of the rotations into changing shots have 3-5 days of a break in between. I am able to recover within 24 hours with a good routine of sleep hygiene , nutrition, and exercise.

The rotating shifts also prevent the Day Crew vs. Night Crew situations that may arise...everyone is required to do nights...and vice versa, even though most of us will do more of one shift than the other, but the rotation is required.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
Exactly! What is the rationale for places doing this? I have first hand experience with a seriously screwed up circadian rhythm. I cannot imagine rotating shifts. Absolutely unimaginable for my preexisting sleeping problems.

I think the rationale is to make it fair....since most nurses want to work dayshift but that isn't possible, so it's like taking turns, I guess?

I'd rather stick with one shift. Not only do rotating shifts mess up with your circadian rhythm, I would think a nurse would be more prone to making errors. There are some people who just CANNOT sleep well during the day and others who just cannot sleep well at night. I'm one of those who cannot sleep well at night. I will pass out for a few hours then be wide awake in the middle of the night. I couldn't be expected to do that and then work a whole 12 hours.

I think hospitals need to stop doing rotating shifts. Whatever shift you are hired on is what you get!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

NO...this has been the norm for years at most facilities and I have been a nurse for 34 years. Straight Night shift is the only shift not rotated unless requested.

I am actually a strong believer that the other shifts need to experience the other shifts because if we walk in each others shoes...it leads to new understanding.

^ Exactly...I found my unit to have less of the controversial issues of Day v. Night, and gave a general cohesiveness.

For me, I need change and flexibility, so I don't mind it at all :)

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We work either straight night or day shifts at my hospital. Both shifts will fill in for day or nights if needed. I am a night shifter...I love nights and don't plan on going to days anytime soon..but I will pick up a shift for days if they need me. I can't imagine having to rotate shifts! My husband used to do this and it absolutely wore him out. He finally is in a position where he can pretty much set his own hours. God bless all you nurses that work the rotating shifts!! I couldn't do it.

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I think the rationale is to make it fair....since most nurses want to work dayshift but that isn't possible, so it's like taking turns, I guess?

I'd rather stick with one shift. Not only do rotating shifts mess up with your circadian rhythm, I would think a nurse would be more prone to making errors. There are some people who just CANNOT sleep well during the day and others who just cannot sleep well at night. I'm one of those who cannot sleep well at night. I will pass out for a few hours then be wide awake in the middle of the night. I couldn't be expected to do that and then work a whole 12 hours.

I think hospitals need to stop doing rotating shifts. Whatever shift you are hired on is what you get!

For the last 4 years, I've only been able to sleep during the day. I've slept a few hours at night, but like you, I'm back up. I've tried not sleeping during the day so i can sleep at night. It doesn't work. I still don't sleep and wind up not sleeping for over 36 hours. Then I sleep 15 hours straight. Its so messed up. I don't know how my dad switched shifts every 6 weeks as a cop. No wonder he was always grumpy lol.

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I an surprised at these responses.Where I am most positions are more than one shift. I recently didn't apply for a position that was straight days.I would be bored to death. I like working different shifts.Yes it is hard on my already bad sleeping but I adjust.

You might think you adjust and perform at peak performance, but studies have shown people who believe they are fine....aren't.

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I think hospitals need to stop doing rotating shifts. Whatever shift you are hired on is what you get!

Me too. I've heard from a lot of people who prefer nights. I doubt it would be THAT hard to fill those positions. Especially with everyone clamoring for a job. I think from there, it should be a seniority thing if they eventually want to switch shifts when one becomes available. Again, I'm waiting for the tomatoes to be thrown at me.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Unless you can find a permanent night line (which is what I work), then expect to work D/E/N or D/N, with holidays and weekends included.

Most facilities employ these practices.

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I think it depends on the state you are in. I don't know of any hospitals in Georgia that have rotating shifts. But my friends in other states mention that they rotate D/E/N.

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Specializes in Psych.

I work straight nights and every weekend - I occasionally get pulled in to cover an afternoon shift, but the day I have to work at 8 am is my last day. I can't imagine completely switching my sleep schedule and having to function with sound clinical judgment on a regular basis.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg.

this is the standard every place I've worked. I was zombie doing rotation, so I just took a straight noc position, so I didn't have to rotate shifts.

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I've never heard of a hospital with a rotating schedule in California, and I looked at every hospital from Bakersfield to the border when I was searching for a job. There is a definite Days vs Nights crew at my job but there aren't too many tiffs.

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