is 3rd shift inevitable for new nurses?

[edwindelahiggins]

I'm starting a 17 month ABSN program in the fall. I've worked as a 2nd shift CNA at an LTC for the past 15 months. I'll pick up the occasional 3rd shift to make some extra dough and I have found it to be brutal. Are there poeple on this forum that work 3rd shift willfully or is it general out of necessity for family, job availability, etc? Do new RN grads more or less have to work 3rd shift to start? As someone who is very into health and fitness I think this would have the potential to derail the success I've had in changing my body over the last 2 years. Any input would be awesome. Thanks,

Ned

[bill4745, RN]

In most of the hospitals I've worked in, new nurses are more likely to end up on nights or evenings, but it's not impossible to get days.

[Amanda.RN]

I do not think night-shift is inevitable. When I first graduated, I started on PM shift (12:30-11 pm) and was in a day-shift position within 1 and 1/2 years (granted it was at a different job, but that's irrelevant as it's a job change I desired).

Good luck to you!

Amanda

[chaos0058]

I think night shifts at any job are easier when that's your fixed/regular schedule. That allows you to develop a routine. I used to work nights at my current (non-nursing) job and loved it...fewer people around, different things to deal with than during the day. I'm also a night person. But I do second shift now, 3-11,*and when I pick up an overnight it's pretty rough...probably because it's a dramatic change out of nowhere.

[ParvulusPuella]

I started on nights 6p-6a simply because it was the only shift available. Another new grad started on days- she got hired before me. I love nights though, and wouldn't switch to days even if there were a position open.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

I could switch to days if i wanted to and chose not to..... and we have nurses that have been on nights for

8 to 10 years and they like it. for me it is a family and future career goals that causes me to stay where im at. Im planning on getting my masters and my schedule is set and pretty sweet where it is.......i would not have that same schedule on the day shift. plus i work 12's and almost always leave on time, my day shift counterpart gets hit way harder than me. They are improving their staffing ratio which might consider me to reconsider in the future but for now im happy where i am.

[A&OxNone, MSN, RN]

In the ER, usually it's not the night shift that's the unwanted shift... but midshift! You get slammed from the time you walk in to the time you leave. It is nice to be able to sleep late, but geez, a Noon-Midnight schedule makes you feel like you have worked 24 hours straight!

[Turd Ferguson]

Not inevitable, I as well as many of my fellow grads have been hired for day-shift. It just depends on the unit.

As far as derailing your success of healthy living, night shift can be a challenge but there are plenty of ways to keep living a healthy lifestyle.

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

On my floor, the new grads are not put on the night shift because there are less people around to help out/go to with questions.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I started as a new grad on permanent nights 6 months ago, and I love it :) but I'm a night owl. As the newbie, be prepared to work any combination of schedules. You will have to meet the needs of the unit.

[Sparrowhawk]

Not inevitable no, a lot of times your boss will feel you do not have the expierence and put you on a less alone shift..like evenings. That's what happened to me and I won't leave evenings...love it

[DA314]

Around here (KY), most new grads start out on nights. Once you get use to staying up all night and sleeping during the day, it isn't bad. I'm currently on days right now, but will likely be going back to nights soon.

As for staying in shape on nights, I always make sure I bring healthy food to snack on (fresh fruit, veggies, broth-based soups), coffee, and I take walks when I'm feeling super -tired, especially in the summer, when the air is warm.

When I get home from work at 8:00, I'm usually wide awake, so I take a run and workout, which helps tire me and makes me get a good day's sleep in before the next shift.

I don't find that staying in shape and healthy on nights is any harder than days. It might be a little easier. On day shifts, I get home at 8:00, and have to make dinner for my husband, spend time with him, clean the house, walk the dog, etc. When I get home from a night shift, the house is empty and still clean from the evening before :-)