Too soon to ask about going part time or to day shift?

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I am a month into my orientation on a mother baby unit. I absolutely love this unit and the job and want to stay here. However, I am working full time nights and have three kids under the age of 5. I have someone watching them in my home, which is great! But I am finding night shift incredibly difficult and am not able to sleep during the day for more than a few hours despite black out curtains, sound machine, etc.

My question is: would it look bad to get on the waiting list for days even though I'm still on orientation? Or would it be better to maybe wait until i finish orientation and then ask about when I could go part time? I can do nights part time, I think. Two nights sounds so much more doable than three! I am a relatively new grad (8 months experience in med surg) so I don't know what the etiquette is in these situations. TIA!

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

At my two facilities, you cannot change shifts until you're off probation (90 days in both cases). After that, it's done by seniority.

By all means, if you're off probation then put in your request. You never know... sometimes the stars align and I've seen people jump straight to day shift after orientation just because nobody more senior wanted the shift.

I got my present shift - which is simply perfect - after 8 months on the job when the second most senior nurse left and nobody more senior had in an open bid. I'll never give it up because I'd probably never get it again. The only downside is that I am junior in seniority to everybody else on my shift so vacation is challenging.

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Even if there are two already on the waiting list, it's better to let them know that you're interested AND that you are happy to work the shift you have now until there is an opening. It's all in the way you present it. Better that than to see them hire someone specifically for days. The two on the waiting list may not stay.

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This is one of those times where I am very glad I went to a hospital school of nursing. I don't know OP's background, but I remember the day two nurses from HR marched over from the hospital and told my class "You will be hired for nights. Period." They explained how new grads are put into slots on nights, and in time, can go to days, weekend, or float pool positions. There were some "I only want ED, I only want PEDS" responses and they were educated with a smile. Those positions do not happen for everyone. I think these conversations are important, so that new grads don't have the sticker shock of "I don't like nights, I wanted to be in PEDs, I wanted to work PRN." PRN is a coveted position where I work and they give that to employees who have proved themselves with years of safe and competent nursing. There's already enough of "Two months into nursing, want to be CRNA" stuff. I'm not saying that's what OP is doing but conversations should happen early on about what nursing is like after graduation and what acute inpatient work is like.

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This is one of those times where I am very glad I went to a hospital school of nursing. I don't know OP's background, but I remember the day two nurses from HR marched over from the hospital and told my class "You will be hired for nights. Period." They explained how new grads are put into slots on nights, and in time, can go to days, weekend, or float pool positions. There were some "I only want ED, I only want PEDS" responses and they were educated with a smile. Those positions do not happen for everyone. I think these conversations are important, so that new grads don't have the sticker shock of "I don't like nights, I wanted to be in PEDs, I wanted to work PRN." PRN is a coveted position where I work and they give that to employees who have proved themselves with years of safe and competent nursing. There's already enough of "Two months into nursing, want to be CRNA" stuff. I'm not saying that's what OP is doing but conversations should happen early on about what nursing is like after graduation and what acute inpatient work is like.

Trust me, this is not me. I knew what I was getting into. I'm not sure how many more times i can say that I'm willing to work nights as long as I have to. I know that I have to pay my dues. Which is why I had no qualms about working med surg even though I wanted women's.

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Also I kind of wonder if people are actually reading through my post and understanding what I'm actually saying which is....

I know that I have to do nights for now, I'm fine with nights for now, when is an appropriate time to ask to be eventually considered for days...EVENTUALLY! Geez.

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Specializes in Med Surg/ Pedi, OR.

I think you need a good night of rest. Are they willing to let you swap shifts with other co workers? Good luck !

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As someone who went from days to nights (opposite I know), I waited until I had worked at least 3 months off orientation before asking to switch. That way, they could see my work ethic and get to know me before I asked. I was able to switch right away because no one wanted to be on nights!!! Best of luck to you!

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I think you need a good night of rest. Are they willing to let you swap shifts with other co workers? Good luck !

What do you mean about swapping shifts? It's not like she can ask a day shift person to swap out a night for her we know that won't happen. Same thing with evenings, when I worked nights no one from days or evenings even agreed to work a short staffed night shift unless they got premium pay and we're basically begged with other incentives. Swapping out a shift here and there just because they think she's nice and need some sleep? Does that happen where you are?

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I would ask now about switching to days (and get on the list) because there's no telling how long that list will be if you wait. Then you'll be stuck on nights for longer than you could have been if you'd put yourself on the list. As far as going part-time, I'd wait until after you made it to days first. See how you feel then before asking for less hours.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
I am a month into my orientation

Way, way, waaaay too soon. You have not demonstrated you can do the job at all yet.

The probation period is for both you and your employer to see if the job is a good fit. If you find you cannot do the work then you can and should quit and find what works better for you. Having found you are just not compatible with nights DO NOT APPLY for a night shift position at least until your situation radically changes (i.e. kids are in school, you have reliable child care etc.)

Your employer is also observing you for a good fit and will have little compunction in releasing you without spending more money on a dissatisfied employee that may not stay anyway.

To answer your question: YES it would look bad to start making requests before you have completed your orientation.

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Thanks for your input. I'd say that I'm definitely not a dissatisfied employee, and the issue is not related to reliable childcare as I have a live in nanny. That being said, I am planning on waiting until I am finished with orientation to request to be on the list for day shift.

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