ok, i am wondering what the typical shifts are for nurses?
do the new nurses get stuck on the late night shifts?
i am wondering because i am pursuing my rn degree and i am currently having major issues with sleeping and i think it has to do with me working a 3-11 shift currently. i am really upset over this, and now i am worrying about my career path because if working that shift is bothering me now.... how can i do it as a nurse?!
between the shift and the stress at work to begin with (i am really unhappy at my job) there have been 2 nights this week that i didnt sleep, last night being one. and it is off and on, approx. once a week or two lately.
i have tried to many things.. waking up by a certain time, lotion to lull you to sleep, cutting back on caffeine, valerian root.. my next shot is sleepytime tea.
since i work this shift mostly all of my days of work, i am up till about 2 am, and wake up by 10-1030am.
i did mess everything up because i was unemployed for 1.5 months in october/november and slept way too much and that started this whole mess and i don't know how to fix it.. and i am really worried about my career path now!!
I'm not sure of your geographic location, but where I am, there are plenty of dayshift jobs, and nights, evenings, prn, whatever one's heart's desire. I haven't had any trouble staying on days. I even have a job that's no weekends or holidays. It's not in a hospital (which I admittedly miss) but it works great for my family. :)
Nursing is a 24/7 gig, so there are usually a wide variety of shifts available to suit your needs BUT keep in mind many things will dictate this when you graduate. One will obviously be the area in which you want to work when you graduate. Certain areas will have more opps for day shift hours than others. Also, it will depend on your unit and who is available to orient you. It will also depend on what the manager wants and where the needs currently are when you graduate. That flucuates pretty heavily throughout the year with people coming and going.
So, in a nutshell, not EVERY new grad goes to night shift. Some areas though tend to hire nights (like L&D, ICU, ER, etc...).
Also, 3-11 is a tough shift to get any sleep. Working 11p-7a or 7p-7a is actually a lot easier on the body than that 3-11 shift - believe me I know - I've done all these shifts in my lifetime.
Specializes in ICU, CCU,Wound Care,LTC, Hospice, MDS.
Aluminum foil is great for windows. Also "gray noise" like a fan. I have a noise machine that plays six different things. My favorite is ocean waves, but it has a babbling brook, ocean waves with seagulls, night insects, and blowing wind among others. I came from western NE and didn't care for that one!
I'd much rather work nights-more money and less work plus no riff-raff. the added people who only work days, like social services, dieticians etc. Also the best chance for hands on nursing anymore!
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
I started, and continue to, work nights. I love it, but I am a night person. I can sleep till I wake up (if I get to bed ontime) and night shift just seems calmer to me.
It is true, there are definitely nights you are busting butt, but overall the pace is different. We do sacrifice some comforts for it ie. awake docs , but for me I feel I get special time with my patients.
I get to see them sans family most of the time, I get to comfort them during thier most vulnerable times, I get to talk them through long nights, and I get to use my calm/quiet demeanor to my best advantages.
It isn't for everyone, but I have seen way too many new nurses jump on that 3-11 shift and end up hating life within 6 months, and honestly I think that shift is one of the worst.
I really recommend picking days or nights and looking for a 12 hour position. It might seem like a long day, but when you finish up those 3 days its nice to think...ahhh 4 days off!
, but for me I feel I get special time with my patients.
RN007
541 Posts
I'm not sure of your geographic location, but where I am, there are plenty of dayshift jobs, and nights, evenings, prn, whatever one's heart's desire. I haven't had any trouble staying on days. I even have a job that's no weekends or holidays. It's not in a hospital (which I admittedly miss) but it works great for my family. :)