Shift Times

This is a subject that makes me nervous about becoming an RN next year and getting my first job. I hear that the only ones available are night shifts. I have a sleep disorder and I fear that if I must do such shifts, especially in the beginning, I will ruin my reputation as a nurse by not being able to adjust/get enough sleep possibly causing me to call in sick often or make an error in judgment. I'm not being dramatic, I really do have serious sleep issues. I thought there was such a nursing shortage that I would be able to get a day shift, no problem. What's the truth?

Nobody can MAKE you take a night shift job, however at the time you are looking in the area that you want to live and the specialtiy you want to work in, that may be the only shift to get your foot in the door. You may find you like it, or your sleep disorder is only if you try to sleep at night (just stretching it a little to make the point of 'you never know till you try it' and maybe you already have) But if you are willing to look around, maybe move to another area, be open to specialties you may not have thought of yourself trying, then I don't think you would have a problem finding somewhere to work as a nurse that gave you the shift hours that you can live with!