Question about shifts for new grads

intothemoon · Oct 13, 2005

Yes, this is true. The day shift is great for new nurses because there are many resources; doctors, other nurses, other disciplines and usually a lower patient ratio. Night shift is usually just the nurses, and more patients. Many units use D/N rotation for these reasons.

blackberry, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2005

Yes, it depends where you work.

I was told to be prepared to work nights. My supervisor prefers that experienced nurses work nights. I work a day/evening rotation in the subacute/transitional services unit of the hospital. I love it.

I just graduated May 2005 and have been orienting for 4 weeks. I work at the University of Minnesota - Fairview. Because the University's medical school does cutting-edge medical services, our patient population is very diverse.

KatieBell · Oct 13, 2005

Yes it totally depends. But, you will, even as a not new nurse, be working some weekends. (where I am now it rotates every other weekend.) Some places have a weekend option, so some people work every weekend (good for students and parents at times), and you will not need to work so many weekends. Days or nights really depends on the managers preferences, and what shifts the preceptors that are seen to be "good" are working. But I don't know too many nurses who have never worked a night shift in their lives.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Oct 13, 2005

I work in a Level III NICU, and as the newest and by far the youngest nurse, I am about 12th on the list to come to days. As day jobs open up, It goes to the next person on the list, and on down. At this rate I've got about 3 years to wait, which is longer than I plan on staying at that hospital. I am required to work 3 Fridays and 2 weekends each 6 week schedule. Not bad. I also have to work the night before every other holiday. I really don't mind nights. We have a great team, and we help each other out. Hope this helps!

SteveRN21

jsteine1 · Oct 13, 2005

I work in a Level III NICU, and as the newest and by far the youngest nurse, I am about 12th on the list to come to days. As day jobs open up, .
SteveRN21

Yes ,looks like nothing has changed in many years. When I started, we worked 2 weeks days, 2 weeks eves, 2 weeks nights and on it went. Young as we were, sure was tough on the body. You just never really acclimated.

FLstudent06 · Oct 14, 2005

Thanks for all the input! I'm not thrilled about the prospect of working nights ( weekends don't bother me so much), but if that's what it takes I'll put in my time. Nursing has always been a dream of mine, and at 35 years old I'm finally able to finish my schooling. I guess I'd rather work nights doing something I care about than work th 9-5's that have made me miserable for the last 15 years!

Thanks,

Mischelle

NYpedRN · Oct 14, 2005

I graduated in June and it seems the positions available that every hospital wants to give are nights. Its funny how there is such a shortage on nursing and I hear many nurses complaining about not enough staffing on days and too much of a patient load, but they will mostly hire new grads to the night shifts. I'm taking my boards Nov. 2nd, then hopefully I can start somewhere on days.

joun · Jan 18, 2006

I just read an article that said new RN's need to be prepared to work nights/weekends for quite a while until they get some seniority. Have you found this to be true? Does it depend on what area you work in? Thanks, Mischelle

Hi Mischelle,

I can tell you that this statement is true.I had an interview for Surgical unit and they told me exactly the same thing!!Unfortunately.....

Good luck!

Joun.

TexasPediRN · Jan 18, 2006

I just read an article that said new RN's need to be prepared to work nights/weekends for quite a while until they get some seniority. Have you found this to be true? Does it depend on what area you work in? Thanks, Mischelle

Now I'm completely picky- I wont work nights, I will not jeporadize my patients health(and mine!) by working nights, and so far I have not had to do it.

When I lived in PA I worked the 3-11 shift in the hospital.

Now that I live in Texas, I work Pediatric home health, and choose my days and hours! I will work anytime between 7am and 11pm, and my company loves how flexible I am with my hours.

It really does depend on the field of nursing you want to go into, and where you work. Its just something you need to be prepared for, or find a way around it by working somewhere else.

Weekend work isnt that bad, I dont mind working weekends. Some people work 3 12 hour shifts on the weekend, and this counts as a full week. Just another option that you may have.

You'll never find a 9-5 nursing job though unless its in a doctors office.

Good luck- most people can adjust to working nights, but some of us, like me, just cant.

MIA-RN1, RN · Jan 18, 2006

I will be graduating at the end of this semester and I went to one nurse recruiter who said days and night rotation only. So I went to another hospital, where I was offered, days, day/eve, eves, or nights. I took eves without a second thought. Plus, its all straight 8 hour shifts too. every other weekend. Sweet deal all around.

So not everyone has to work nights; you just need to look for a better opportunity if there is one in your area.

I will be 37 and NOT gonna be flexible with nights.

TexasPediRN · Jan 18, 2006

I will be graduating at the end of this semester and I went to one nurse recruiter who said days and night rotation only. So I went to another hospital, where I was offered, days, day/eve, eves, or nights. I took eves without a second thought. Plus, its all straight 8 hour shifts too. every other weekend. Sweet deal all around.
So not everyone has to work nights; you just need to look for a better opportunity if there is one in your area.
I will be 37 and NOT gonna be flexible with nights.

Good for you! you are right- there is always another option our there that you can find that is what you want! I knew I wasnt the only one who refuses to work night shift. :)