Question about your first job as an RN

[Chameleonchick]

I have been wondering about this, is it really true that most first job RNs will have to work nights? I would like a steady work schedule like a classic 8-5 or 9-5 job, but I am curious about the likelihood of that happening.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

It depends on what setting you want.. In the hospital that schedule is rare, most work 12 hour shifts. The shift will depend on what is open also. New grads are hired into day and night shift here, but there are more opening for nights.

Some TLC places have 8 hour shifts and Dr. office fit your bill. Good luck...

[psysn]

Check your county health department! At the one here, the nurses work 8-4, no weekends, no holidays, no call.

[Super_RN, BSN, RN]

Ii worked mostly days, 5 days per week. But I gave that up for 12 hour nights...3 days per week vs 5?! No brainer for this chicky!

[MJB2010]

Most of the jobs with the ideal schedules go to the more experienced nurses. Most new nurses have to do nights, weekends, holidays for at least a year before you can get your foot in to a nice 9-5 type job. Cant hurt to try though, you might get lucky. Sometimes you just have to suck it up for a little while until you can find your idea. But dont give up, you never know what you mind find.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

It depends on what is out there, of course. I was offered rotating shifts when I first started out. It was incredibly hard on my body, but I only did a year of that nonsense before a perm day position came open. You may have to take the night shift or rotating shifts at first. Hang in there!

[SnowStar4]

It just depends on what happens to be open when you hire in, but it does seem like most new grads end up on nights. I was just hired for days, m-f though so it does happen!

[JulVaccRN, BSN]

My advice- if you're offered a job as a new grad, take it! Where I am (In MA) jobs are few and far between for new grads. I recommend being very flexible while applying, good luck!

[TNR-RN]

I am a new grad and I got hired for days 12 hr shifts at a hospital...All of my friends also got day shifts and the ones who got nights requested it.

[NP Joel]

I remember my first week as a RN, one night we had 3 people in cardiac arrest we were able to save them all.

[steelydanfan]

Most of the jobs with the ideal schedules go to the more experienced nurses. Most new nurses have to do nights, weekends, holidays for at least a year before you can get your foot in to a nice 9-5 type job. Cant hurt to try though, you might get lucky. Sometimes you just have to suck it up for a little while until you can find your idea. But dont give up, you never know what you mind find.

Where is this nice 9-5 job you refer to? Want one of those!

Seriously, unless you are a Masters or higher prepared nurse and want a hospital job, you will work weekends, at least some holidays and most likely nights for 1-2 years. That's the lay of the land, EVERYBODY else wants what you want, and seniority rules. You should have researched this or been told it when you first thought about this profession.

[cutekittenj]

Where is this nice 9-5 job you refer to? Want one of those!

Seriously, unless you are a Masters or higher prepared nurse and want a hospital job, you will work weekends, at least some holidays and most likely nights for 1-2 years. That's the lay of the land, EVERYBODY else wants what you want, and seniority rules. You should have researched this or been told it when you first thought about this profession.

Hey calm down relax. She didn't ask to be criticize or be told she is in the wrong field.

Now to your question. It can happen. My friend from nursing school got an 8-5 job mon-fri no holiday's no weekend's. She is a new grad. Depending on the area is going to determine how likely you'll find a job with those kind of hours. The area where I am at and which is were my friend is at, the new grad nursing job market is horrible but she managed to find a job with a good schedule. So again it is possible. However if there is not, nights isn't that bad. I would honestly prefer to work nights b/c it is quieter and you have more time to chart and you'll gain good experience. Hang in there! If the first job isn't the one you want, all isn't lost!