NurseNRC84

Actually...I haven't started on nights--yet--I'm still working day shift as a LPN at my current job but have been looking/applying for RN jobs. So far, most of what I have seen where my chances are high to get a job are those that are nights. But I have yet to find one that is 8hours only. So, was just wondering what others' experiences are with working nights and rotating. I have been told that it all depends on the unit and how they rotate--could be a month of nights then a month of days. Or as little as a couple of weeks on nights and then a couple of weeks on days. Not necessarily nights and days in the same week--now that I will not do.

I have never really been a night owl unless I was going out with my husband or friends. I am usually up at 7am and in bed by 9 (midnight the latest). I have always been a first or second shift kind of person (preferably first), and have always preferred 8 hour shifts. My first practical nursing job was a 12 hour--6p-6a--shift. I was a new grad, pregnant, had two other kids (2 and 4), and was also studying for my RN. I was in a nursing home at that time too--evenings went fast because I pretty much started my shift with giving them their night time meds. But then the night was so long and boring and it took everything in me to stay awake. And then, by time I got home (about 7am), it was really hard to go to sleep. I wouldn't fall asleep until about 11am or noon, but would have to be up by 4p in order to start getting ready for work. I did this for about a couple of months before I quit that job. Anyway, that was five years ago, and here I am now with my BSN-RN. I know new grads usually get put on a night shift and that most hospitals nowadays not only do the 12 hour shifts but the rotating 12 hour shifts. I have seriously given some thought to trying the night shift again--I'm done with school, kids are older, can't have any more kids. The more I think about it, the more benefit I see to working nights--I work while kids are asleep, am home in time to take them to school, can sleep while they are in school, and when school is over I am up helping them with homework, doing dinner, etc. before leaving for work myself. My thing is this, I think I could totally handle doing nights if they are 8 hour shifts. But like I said, most places are on 12s. And I even thought okay, I will just have to suck it up and do it--better to do 12s on nights rather than on days (that just takes everything out of me from my experience with working 12hours during the day). But it is hard to find a job where the shift is either 8 h nights or 12 h nights---most of what I find is the rotating. So, my question is--how do you adjust going from one shift to the next? I know places that do the 12 Rotating will have you go for so many weeks at a time on one before flipping to the other. But the fact that I'm not really night person, I just feel like it will be even harder to adjust by flipping back and forth. Any suggestions will do! Sorry this was so long! Thanks.

I started out as a STNA, then got my LPN, and recently my RN. I have been in "nursing/healthcare" for about 10 years. And considering my age (28), and previous jobs (before healthcare--I was in high school doing fast food/retail--where weekends and some holidays were worked). So, for me working every other weekend and on holidays is not really a big deal--it has become my norm. I have never worked a 9-5 job. I am also a mom, and had two kids under the age of three when I started nursing school. I also worked fulltime while in school. For my LPN, I worked fulltime as a STNA on first shift and had classes in the evening. I spent a lot of time away from my kids. I do not feel like I missed out on anything. As a LPN, I mainly worked second shift and went to school during the day for my RN. I recently graduated this past spring and about October of last year I went back to first shift. One thing that many people told me that kept me "in it" so to speak, was to "do it and finish it while they (my kids) are still young." When they are old enough to start getting involved in extracurricular activities, it becomes harder to work, and go to school, and then help them with their work and rip and run them everywhere. But I guess that's why, like sarakjp said, most working nurses that are parents prefer to do the night shift. I never liked night shift, let alone 12 hours. But now my kids are approaching that age where they are going to be doing some extra activities, and it just might be in my best interest to work nights--they will be asleep, when I come home, I can get them off to school, then catch my own sleep, and wake when they return home from school and do my "motherly thing." Doing a 12 hour night shift might make for less time with them still, but I have also been told that if your doing 12s, you usually end up doing three in a row, and then get four off (or two on , three off, 1 on, then one off)--and when doing 8s, you don't always get two in row off unless it's your weekend off. I have not really encountered a problem, thus far with the holidays. Depending on the institution, holidays are rotated among the staff. And if you work second or night shift, you will have Christmas morning for instance with the family. The only time it probably would have impacted me a great deal is if I traveled out of city/town/state--then that requires time off. You really just have to do your research (job outlook in your area as was already mentioned), and make a plan. If you have no children now, and nursing is what you really want to do, go for it now while you only have you and your husband to take care of. Nursing school can be tough and is a lot of work. Yes, I did it having two kids and was a single parent, and when I went for my RN I had another child and got married--but I worked throughout and it was tough!!!! Keep in mind too--that once you finish, and get that credential, and start working, depending on how soon you want to have kids, but there is FMLA (usually have to work at least one year before being eligible), on top of other benefits that may be offered with a job. That being said, you can accrue time for leave in addition to the FMLA during those early months of an infant's life. One more thing--I don't where you are located, but I know here in Ohio, new grads CAN get PRN or part-time jobs. I don't know if anything I said helps, but I hope it does. Nursing is a very rewarding career. I never went into it for the money--I love caring for others and helping them to take care of themselves. The pay and stability are added perks. Like 1pinknurse said, you have to have your heart in it--if not, you will not be happy. God Bless you in making a decision about nursing school.