Question about Nurses Schedules

[jojonurse13]

Hi all! I am at a crossroads here. I graduated with a bachelors degree a few years ago in business and psychology. I contemplated many times while in college doing nursing but was talked out of it by family/friends (I dont have any family members or friends that are currently nurses so its hard for me to get true input on what the field is like)

Now after working in the business world for a few years, I am starting to regret my decision to not pursue nursing. I find medicine/health issues facinating and want to be able to help others and feel proud of my work. I have looked into pursuing an accelerated nursing program that takes a year, but before i begin i have a concern I wanted to ask you nurses about!

I am really worried about the nurse schedule. I have had sleep problems the last few years of my life, and really dont think i could physically/emotionally handle working the night shift. I have been able to manage it lately but dont think I could ever sleep during the day! Do all new nurses have to start off on nights or rotating or is there some flexibility? If I were flexible with days, evenings, weekends, do you think it would be possible for me to find a job out of school that doesnt require overnight hours? Im in st. louis and there are lots of hospitals here so I was hoping that might help!

Thanks!!

[SarcasticLVN]

I am a new nurse and just started my first job in March.. I didn't know until a couple weeks ago all of my co-nurses had started out on nights and were shocked I had started out on AM shift.. Anyways it is possible to get a day schedule, but its better to be flexible when applying especially if you are a new grad. I stated on my application I would take any shift, weekends, holidays etc because I wanted to get hired lol. I work 3-11's here and there which I actually dislike a lot, but I do it because its my job and I am thankful for even being hired! As far as the sleep thing I have had insomnia on and off for years now.. I cut out caffiene after 2:00 p.m. and on impossible nights tylenol pm is my best friend :)

[WillowNMe]

If you want to go into nursing, then go into nursing. I would just be open to the possibility of working nights - if that would be an instant "no" for you if you had to work overnights, I would suggest not going into nursing - or being willing to wait for a job (IE: year+) I took overnights because my FTE was higher. There are quite a few new grads that were put on evenings and a few on days.

Not a direct question from you, but I do take sleeping aids to get to sleep on my nights off. I have tried numerous different medications and am currently on Trazodone. Regardless of day/night, I always sleep with the little blinders thing on, have to have it cool and have to have some sort of air flow. You get used to it.

[MattNurse, MSN, RN]

My unit just hired three new grads for days 6:30a - 7:00p. Hardly anyone from our night crew leaves or goes to the day shift.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

As you can see by the responses, it really just depends on where you choose to work and it boils down to the needs of the institution. I agree with the poster that said getting through nursing school is enough for now and worry about everything else later. Acute care nursing is a 24/7 job and people get sick on weekends and holidays as well, so I just say be open for anything if you really want to be a nurse. Good luck in your decision:)

[lulusoccer]

I will say, I wouldn't get completely discouraged about finding a day position, while they are rare, they DO exist. You may not get your first choice of department..ect..but I would say put in as many applications as possible, and if you are able to move..then your chances of getting a day position are even better. I have never worked nights. I started out as an Nurse Tech on Days, and then when I became a Nurse I work Evenings, which is 2-10. But I don't work nights.

[lulusoccer]

Also, if hospital nursing is not your thing (And you want to work days, no holidays), there are usually openenings at a Dr's Office as well. I know the pay is (generally) a little less at the office, but if you want more manageable hours that could be a good option for you. I do agree that being flexible in nursing is a good thing (I work in a hospital, do holidays..ect..) BUT if you know your body and you know doing nights isn't your thing, then there are still options for you.