Shifts in the USA

[Clarecartwright]

Hi GUys

As you know I am scheduled to have my face to face interview with Rhode Island Hospital in April, They have sent me a information pack in which was included a possible contract for me too read in advance I noticed the only shifts that they are employing for are lates ( 3 - 11.30) and Nights (11 - 7.30) I do not Mind doing any shift but the actual times especailly the late shifts really put me off I dont mind 2 - 10 but 11.30 I wouldnt be home until after Midnight.

The agency have clarified with the hospital and these are the only shifts they have at the moment - should I cancel the interview and wait for something else or is this the times of late shifts in the USA

Thanks for your help in advance

Clare

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

surprised really as most seem to do 12 hours shifts, personally would be better as you tend to work 3 days a week instead of 5. USA tend to work set shifts instead of like the UK where one day we work late and next mornings. You could always take this until a job with better times open up. Most shifts do tend to be unsociable (something to be aware of)

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Just curiuos (and please forgive off-topic), but in the UK you work rotating shifts? I ask because I did work rotating shifts in the Veterans Administration Hospital (VA). It is considered absolutely horrible to work rotating shifts here in the US. However, the VA has these shifts, but since it is a branch of the government, I know they don't sponsor foreign nurses. It might be an option for later though.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Just curiuos (and please forgive off-topic), but in the UK you work rotating shifts? I ask because I did work rotating shifts in the Veterans Administration Hospital (VA). It is considered absolutely horrible to work rotating shifts here in the US. However, the VA has these shifts, but since it is a branch of the government, I know they don't sponsor foreign nurses. It might be an option for later though.

Very common to work rotational shifts but usually night shift is classed as seperate. I did regular nights for several years which consisted on 75 hours in 1 week resulting in following week off

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Oh wow! I worked rotating shifts (7a-3p, 3p-11p, 11p-7a) for about a year in a VA hospital. Absolutely hated it - never could get a good sleep routine. That's why I was asking. So, you only rotate the first two shifts then? That would be more doable. Thanks much for the info.

[suzanne7575]

no we generally rotate through all 3 shifts. I would love a night shift contract here in the UK, but there is no such thing anymore you have to rotate through earlys, lates and nights, which is why I have to work as a bank nurse (per diem) in order to get the shifts i need.

[topscot]

no we generally rotate through all 3 shifts. I would love a night shift contract here in the UK, but there is no such thing anymore you have to rotate through earlys, lates and nights, which is why I have to work as a bank nurse (per diem) in order to get the shifts i need.

Where i work in Scotland we have night positions

[suzanne7575]

Where i work in Scotland we have night positions

wherabouts in scotland are you, I have never come across any, I'm in Perth so looking at PRI and Ninewells mainly but wouldn't mind going fife way if i could get a night contract

[english_nurse]

i havent got a night contract but i only work nights really,

its a sort of unspoken agreement on the ward as most dont like nights so i do them

i enjoy them, they fit in with childcare and i work 3 shifts but get full time pay because of the shift allowance

having said all that i have worked 2 day shifts this week too, which has been refreshing as i have seen daytime people i dont normally see, it was strange seeing my patients in the daylight though :)

[topscot]

wherabouts in scotland are you, I have never come across any, I'm in Perth so looking at PRI and Ninewells mainly but wouldn't mind going fife way if i could get a night contract

I work in Aberdeen

[cariad]

i have worked in a few places now and most shifts are 12 hours plus 30 minutes which is your unpaid break. so most shifts are 7-7 with 30 minutes added on either at one end of the shift or 15 minutes either side. on st croix the day shift was 7.30am-8pm, and the night shifts were 7.30pm-8am and we worked 3 days/nights one week and 4 days/nights the next week which gave us a 40hour week.

other places especially in california where they have ,mandated overtime after 8 hours a lot of the shifts are the same as what you have been quoted. because i was a traveller and they were short staffed the regular staff worked 8 hours and the travellers worked 2--16 hour shifts and one 8--hour shift a week. we started at 3pm and worked until 0730, which was basically 2--regular shifts, but we got overtime rates for the extra time. our 8--hour shift was 11pm until 0730. anothe hospital that i worked was 4 12 hour shifts every week, a 48 hour week which was hard but it was only for 13 weeks.

personally i wouldnt be interested in a 5 day a week 8 hour contract as you will be so tied down and after all its a new adventure for you and your family. all hospitals over here are desperate for staff and if you keep looking you will find one that suits you.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Yep I agree with Cariad about hospitals needing staff for all shifts, all hospitals in Phoenix are desperate and will bite you hand off or should I say will bend over backwards and offer you what ever you want. There is a hospital in the Valley offerening a $15000 sign on bonus.

here in the US nurses are considered a comodity, and many offer lovely little touches to get you and keep you