offered night shift, but working days

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Hello Everybody,

So I have a quasi-dilemma. I was told by the recruiter who offered me the position I would be working night shifts which has a nice differential. I accepted the offer, signed the paperwork, and now received the assignment and it is the daytime shift. So my dilemma is I could definitely use the extra differential pay, to help pay for rent and what not, as I had to move to a new area for this position, should I bring up this fact with the recruiter/nurse director or someone else? Has anyone run into this situation and addressed it with their manager/hr? If so, would you mind sharing your results?

I know with this economy it is a tough market and I am grateful to have a job. At the same time I did make certain living arrangements based on the recruiters information when I signed the paperwork and accepted the offer. Not to say I am living beyond my means but the extra money would provide additional safety and help pay off student debt faster. Because things are not as they were "promised" to be, I feel as though I have been bamboozled in some ways. I also feel that way because I declined several other offers to accept this one.

I guess I needed to vent and wanted to hear some opinions.

Any thoughts or comments are of course welcome. :)

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Have you ever worked a NOC shift? You might like days better, and depending on the differential; it may not be worth it.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

Did they assign you to dayshift for orientation? You should call and ask the nurse recruiter or manager if you will be on dayshift for a certain time with a preceptor before going on nights.

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My facility generally orients people on dayshift and then moves them to nights when they are going to be on their own. I'd definitely call and find out if that is the plan.

If you've already signed the paperwork, did it state you'd work nights and what the pay would be? If so, I'd bring that up. If the only opening is for days, are you willing to take it? If you are, then I'd be gracious and let them know you'd like a position on nights as soon as one becomes available. If it's nights or nothing, I'd explain that you were expecting to work nights and relied on the shift diff when you decided to accept the offer but since the position is days you'll either need a bump in base pay to cover the difference or will be unable to accept the offer after all.

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Thanks for the responses.

I have worked night shift before and do like the slower pace to learn about the facilities policies, procedures, and documentation. Granted, more happens in the daytime, I think getting comfortable in the night shift first then transitioning to day would be best. And I think the ~25% night differential would help in terms of finances.

I spoke with the manager today and it seems that more than likely the orientation period will be on days and nights might be a possibility after that. When I signed the paperwork it did say night shift 7pm-7am and stated the pay w/ differential.

I think I will have a chat with the recruiter and graciously bring up the shift change and see if anything can be done w/ regards to base pay to cover the difference. I just hope that it won't have a negative effect. I did pass up a couple of offers to accept this one and am worried about any negative responses given how difficult the economy is. The situation is not exactly a nights or nothing choice (I do want to be employed), but I feel compelled to bring the matter up as it I feel like I was misled or bait and switch happened.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

I don't think you've been bamfoozled. You're a new grad and it's very common to start on days, when there's more going on AND the management can keep a close eye on you. It also could be that since you signed on there as been a change on the floor and they might not need you as much on nights as they do on days. I doubt your nurse recruiter can do much for you, at least, not as much as the nurse manager on that unit.

I'd continue to work days. You've spoken to the NM so she knows your situation. I bet at some point they will put you on nights. There is always more demand for nurses who want to work overnight. If not, you may just have to suck it up and work days for awhile. As a new grad you don't have much leverage in the game. My 2 cents :twocents:

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Most people orientate on days, regardless of what shift they were hired on. I was on days for 6 wks before I started actually working nights. Enjoy it, working nights is rough, unless you don't have a life :). I am now officially a zombie when I'm not working.

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Specializes in Tele/PCU/ICU/Stepdown/HH Case Management.

i don't think i'd bring it up. that's typically how it's done. you start orientation on days, then finish it up on nights. at least that's how they did it at my current place of employment.

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Thanks for the responses... it is probably as you all said and I will work the days and see if there is a chance for nights later. Thanks for sharing thoughts and opinions!

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