Rotating 12 hour shifts?

amylou85 · Feb 10, 2005

I have been looking at the local employment opportunities in my area for RN's and just don't see anything besides 12 hour rotating shifts in the hospital.
I will start school this fall, and want to get an idea of what it's like when I'm fresh out of school. My kids will still be too young to be alone while I work midnights!
How do I start out if I couldn't work such a crazy schedule? I'll take much lower pay just to not work like that! But what else can you do when you have no experience?

It can be quite challenging working shift work. When I first came out of school, my husband worked night shift so that was'nt a option for me with a little one at home. I went to work for a doctors office because of the hours of operation, 8-5 no weekends or holidays. I did make less than what a hospital nurse made but it worked for me and my family.

eborgelt · Feb 11, 2005

Just keeping looking. Shifts depend on where you work. In a doctor's office or clinic, you may be able to get an 8-5 no weekend position. If you want to work in a hospital, many offer a variety of shifts. Where I work, we can choose between 8 or 12 hour shifts, and we can choose what shift we would like to work. It is fairly flexible.

You will be amozaed at what is available schedule wise if you keep your eyes open. I know what you mean, though. I have four kids - ages 5, 4, 3, and 2 and my job is a godsend because of the flexibility.

begalli · Feb 11, 2005

We also have rotating 12 hour shifts. One month on nights, one month on days. We also have 2:1 (days:nights). UGH!! Fortunately I have gained enough senority that I have the schedule that I want.

When I first started though there were many RN's who would trade a month of shifts with me - they'd work my night, I'd work their day or vice versa. At least I wasn't changing every single month. I'd work 2-3 months of one shift or the other at a time and so would the other nurse. Of course I work in a large ICU with a large staff, but is this possibly something you could ask about during an interview process? Is this a possibility in the unit?

Just a thought. Good luck!