What is the best shift in the ER?

DixieJeanne · Jan 20, 2009

What is the best shift in the ER? The one where you have a competent doc to work with and excellent team mates. Times don't matter.

kaiteeb61 · Jan 23, 2009

I started in the ER as a new grad and worked with my preceptor on days (7a-7p) for 3 mos. Then, once I was on my own, started 3p-3a. Crazy busy shift! Like someone else mentioned, you straddle two different worlds and a million different personalities! That shift usually meant I was "float" and always running my butt off! I then went to late mornings (9a, 11a, noon) for a while which was busy as well but at least I usually had an actual assignment. Back to late mid-shift (2p, 3p, 5p) for a bit and was comfortable. Now I'm strictly night shift (7p-7a) and think it's the best. Being biased and all!

For a new grad, from my experience, I'd say ideally, train on day shift, take advantage of resources and learning how things should be done while you can. Then, when you're ready, come to nights and experience real teamwork and learn how things are actually done, in less than optimal circumstances. After seeing both sides of the coin, decide which is a better fit for you and your family.

The_Squid · Jan 28, 2009

7a to 7p definitely, you get to wake up before it gets too crazy (depending on the hospital), if you're new, then you'll have more resources like your manager present, and the education dept. present. 11a-11p is cool because you can sleep in but that is peak flow (excuse my unintentional pun) in the ER and can be exhausting.

missej2002 · Feb 5, 2009

I recently graduated in may of 08 and having been working in the er since. i trained on the day shift and hated this shift, as an extern, when i passed board, i was trained on nights. i have always been an night person. But what shift you choose depends on if you are morning person or a night owl. the midday shifts are the hardest you work with 2 crews, you are busy from the beginning of you shift to the end of your shift. I personally agree with another post night shift people are more laid back, the day shifts can be whiny and to many politics. morning crew always blames something on the night shift no matter what position you hold, also there is not a lot of people (mangers and etc) in you way when you are trying to work. You get to experience alot of different thinks on this shift, the drunks, psych, coders, wreaks and etc. I learned a lot in my 1st week on nights in then i did during my 2 months on days. because at night you have less resources example at my er EKG techs leave at PM so we do our own EKG from PM till AM. but i have great resources with the Rn's i work with on this shift, we are like a family, help each other with team work, if a nurse busy with a critical pt we help with that pt or help that nurse my caring for her other patient, by giving med, d/c and calling report. the night shift can be hard, you have to work together and get things done, cause we are all we have.

sbyramRN · Feb 7, 2009

I am a new RN that will be starting in the ER at a large Pediatric hospital. While orienting, I will be on the 7pm-7am shift. Once that is over, I will be working 3pm-3am.

missej2002 · Feb 8, 2009

Good luck with the shift. When interviewing with the manager of my er she was honest and informed me that the hardest shifts were the AM-11pm and the 3pm-3am. The reasons this shifts are the hardest is because they are the busiest. You come to work busy and you leave work busy. On the 7am-7pm the shift starts slow and ends busy and the opposite with the 7pm-7am. Good luck again.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 11, 2009

Precepted 7a-7p. Was OK, but didn't like having to go to sleep early and wake up early (only like that if it involves a big mountain & snow). Now working 3p-3a and love it. Get to sleep in, get to work and dive right in, but then it (usually but not always) calms down a bit around 0100. Unless it's a Sunday, then they just keep coming in......