Unexpected Request from Boss

nursemarie42 · Feb 10, 2004

if you have the chance to stay on days, i advise you to do it. there are not a lot of day shift opportunities available. i have workd much night shift and you feel bad(physically) most of the time on nights.....

RNPedsICU · Feb 10, 2004

Stay on days if at all possible.

You may not be asked again down the road when you'll WANT to work days.

Tired now? I've worked nights(what we call P's-7p to 7a), and believe me when I say you have even LESS of a life working nights because the off days, your sleeping, and the nights you go in you'll have to be rested to go into to work.

I work Peds also-a lot can happen on any shift-consider it a compliment from your manager and take it!

Erin RN · Feb 10, 2004

I agree... I worked nights for 4 years and looking back I honestly don't remember most of my life during that time. I usually started to feel physically ill around 4 am and was always and I mean always tired. The money is better but there is a reason for that...My favorite shift was 3-11 but once the kiddos got in school that didn't work real well either.. Good luck in your decision..have you ever worked nights before? I know everyone told me I would get used to it but I truly didn't and my husband worked nights too..we were like the walking dead when we were first married..Erin

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 10, 2004

I am and always have been a night shift person, choosing a 11-7 job over a 3-11 job when I first went into nursing. But. . .I think I am unusual and most everyone I know would prefer to work dayshift. Take this opportunity. I bet if you want, there will be a night shift available later if you decide that's what you really want. I have seen WAY more nurses transfer to dayshift from nights than the other way around, it's paid more for a reason.

dphrn · Feb 10, 2004

I have to disagree about day shift positions being available. They are much easier to come by this day and time. Years ago when the turn around was much lower, people hung on to their day spot forever. That is not the case any longer. I think they are much easier to come by now. All the hospitals I have worked at always had day shift positions available. Actually, there were always at least one position on each shift available at one time or another. I think you need to try the night shift before you make a choice. Good luck.

loriLPN · Feb 10, 2004

if most of your friends work nights and you feel boring working days, then work nights! if you come home every day after work and never see your friends, you sit on the couch for a few hours eating cold cereal and watching golden girls reruns then drag yourself to bed just to start it all over again the next day, you are gonna start feeling pretty crappy, like you only live to work.

besides, there is something to be said for working while all the *****-ass administrators are sleeping.

fins · Feb 10, 2004

JuicyJem,

If you're asking whether it's better to work days or nights, then I leave it to all the other posters to share their experiences. However, it sounds more to me as if you're worried about saying no to your manager, even though you want to work nights.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. It sounds to me as if he/she is just offering it to you. Just say "I gave it some thought, and I think nights will work out better for me right now." If the manager is really trying to move you to day shift, then he/she will probably let you know then. If that's the case, then you'll have another decision to make.

But from what you said, it sounds more like "hey, this day shift opened up - do you want it?"

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2004

You will have to decide yourself of course. I love my days. Im not a night person and switch my night shifts every month with someone who WANTS them. When i worked nights i was able to function at work but my home time I was a total vegetable. I had no energy to do anything, plus sleeping during the day never did it for me. I needed twice the sleep when i was working nights and that doesnt work well with a family. Good luck, i hope you find your comfort zone soon.

mtnmom · Feb 10, 2004

First of all, congratulations on graduating and getting that first job!!!

I have been on nights myself for 8 months and hate it - I love what I do and that is the only thing that keeps me going - but I dont know for how long. The extra money is not even worth it to me. My 2 girls are 14 and 9, and many afternoons one or the other is involved in some sort of afterschool activity so I dont get to spend time with them anyway. They seem to want me home at night! Thankfully my husband works at home so he can take care of getting them in the afternoons when I have to sleep. I pray daily for a day position to come open for me.

I had always thought that I was a night owl and would love nights...and did for about the first 3 months. Now, my body feels like its falling apart - I have gained weight, have all sorts of digestive nuisances and headaches, and feel tired and out of sorts even on my days off. I think what makes it so hard for me is trying to live "in the other world" with my kids when I am off. Plus I am in my mid-40s, not 23.

But, on nights you dont have the bigwigs around and things are generally much more relaxed, and the staff has more of a camaraderie I think. So for a new grad those are definite pluses.

Yes, you might have to wait awhile for another chance for days but if you are young and single still, do what you want. There will be other chances. If you refuse, do so gracefully, and please tell me where you are so I can come get a day position on a peds floor.

:wink2: :wink2: :wink2:

Stitchie · Feb 10, 2004

I think you'll have a lot more support on day shifts. As a semi-new grad, I think that matters a lot to have more resource people. My experience was that days were much busier, after I figured out what I was doing, of course, but there were more people around.

That said, some of those people were the unit managers. :eek:

My best days were when I could avoid my unit manager. :devil:

JMO.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2004

Do what you want to do. If you want to work nights, tell your manager you want to work nights. Don't be afraid to tell her what you want and need. You'll regret giving in to what she wants and needs. Of course, if there is no night position and you agreed when hired to work any shift, be prepared to work any shift cause you're the new guy.

BTW, what makes you think you can stay out late when you work nights. Just when the party gets going you have to excuse yourself to go to work, especially if you're working weekends. I used to hate that when I worked 8 hour night shifts. But if it's only 3 12's you have plenty of days off to stay out late, but on those days you can do nothing but work and sleep as well. It seems all my friend do the fun stuff when I'm working and I have every weekend off. Remember the grass isn't always greener.....