RP: Questions on night shift working.. I'm new too

[changeofpaceRN]

My husband and I have decided that I need to work the night shift because we just can't make ends meet right now IF we pay for daycare. We plan on working on that problem.. anyway...

I plan on finding a job in LTC or assisted living..

Did any of you get a baylor shift job right out of school after passing your exam? If not, did you opt for 12 hr shifts during other days? Is that even available in LTC settings?

Any of you go straight to nights working the typical 11-7 for 5 days a week? That seems insane :-/

How was/is it? When do you sleep? How do you get in family time? Any ideas/tricks you can throw my way about working nights? Thanks!

[lpn1972]

I absolutely loved working the 11-7 shift! My kids were both in school so I didn't miss any time with them at all. I slept when they were in school and was up when they got home and still had the evening with them! Now if your kids are too young well thats a bit different, just think "nap time" and then sleep when hubby gets home. Hope this helps!:)

[BigB]

The 11 -7 am shift isn't as bad as you think.... I had two LVN classmates that worked that all durring LVN school as cna's, and continue to work it as LVN's. More money on nights, less stress (generally), calmer, and the ability to not need daycare make nights great for many people.

[LPN01112005]

Started out 11-7 in LTC. It wasn't bad, I enjoyed the work and I really enjoyed 11-7, BUT the schedule was killing me. We only got every third weekend off: Sat and Sun. Other weeks we got split days off, say Mon and Friday or Tues and Sat. Never two days together. I was dead dog tired. So, now I'm at the hospital doing 12 hour shifts... Tired as heck while I'm working, it interferes with my family time on the three days I work, but the 4 days off are great. If I could CHOOSE my schedule, I'd work 11-7 5 days in a row. But I can't find a facility that runs that schedule.

[catslave]

Started with a weekend Baylor shift in LTC right out of nursing school and been at it for 3+ years now. I work days. My observation is that (as far as the Baylor shift goes) consists mostly of those with no children, very young children or grown children. The turnover has been historically high due to the fact that no one really wants to work every weekend. Currently there is one night Baylor who has a school aged child. Few floor nurses at my facility work more than a 4 day work week. We run 12 hour Baylor shifts on Saturday & Sunday and 3 8 hour shifts during the week. The 11 - 7 nurses prefer that shift - less stressful I'm told.

I really like my Baylor hours.

Good luck to you.

[Lorie P.]

call me the odd-ball but i love my night shift! i work 7on/7off. the week that i work mon-fri 11-7 and then 7p-7a sat and sun. it can get e little rough but this way i can sleep when my 8yo is in school and hubby at work. after 3 years i still love this shift.:smiletea:

[BigB]

I love night shift too. So much calmer in my experience.

[texasbsn]

I love night shift too. So much calmer in my experience.

I am a new grad starting the night shift after orientation. I have worked the night shift at other jobs befire going to nursing school.I like nights because you can get more done.,without stream of people coming and going.

[AngelaLPN08]

I loved my nights as a CNA they were 12 hour shifts I personally liked to clump 2 together at a time. It was a great job. I was just hired at the VA hospital but the night LPN's are more like CNA's all patient care no meds or anything..ewww. Well as a new grad I say ewww. I might look into a part time Nursing home job..working nights. Now extra adminstrative people all over, no family. Its just quieter!

It always takes a while to get used to but I loved it!

Good Luck

[linzz]

I would love a casual night job. I love the calm of nights, I am also finding that as I age, I can't sleep at night anyways.