What is in your opinion the best shift for new nurses to work?

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As a student nurse it seemed the seasoned nurses all had an opinion on what was the best shift to "learn the ropes". It seemed the the majority felt that the 1st shift was maybe the least new nurse friendly.

I was just wondering what shift in LTC is best? I know it will depend. I was hired at a LTC (psych) facility and they needed help on the 3-11 shift so I took it part time. In orientation one nurse felt that 7-3 was the best shift and the other felt the 11-7 shift was the best (no twelves at this facility). I am not really happy with 3-11 only because I have young children and I am going to miss having dinner with the family and just hanging out with them after school on the days I work. I would have loved the 11-7 shift because they are sleeping and I could catch up on sleep while they are in school (I know it is easier said than done).

Then I was wondering if the 7-3 shift while they were in school would be best. I am worried that 3-11 is maybe the worse shift and not just for my selfish reasons of missing the family.

So what in your opinion aside from the family is the best shift for a new grad nurse.

Thanks everyone. :)

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Specializes in LTC currently.

I think 3-11 is the best shift in terms of learning. You get familiar with admits, discharges and more skillful with med passes in the LTC on this shift. I think that 11-7 is a little more relaxed because it is not as chaotic as the 3-11 shift. If you can tolerate the 11-7 shift. I so happened to be a night owl and its my preferred shift, although I am not a nurse.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

You're new.... 3rd shift.

Gotta earn days. :)

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As a new grad I worked nights, and stayed on nights, for 17 years. It did work out best when my children were school age.

There are always procedures, "things", done on the 7 - 3 shift that just aren't done on night shift. But I don't think there is anything so overwhelming complex that you couldn't learn it when, if, you switched to a 7 - 3 shift.

Get comfortable with your knowledge, nursing care, and the basics of your job whatever shift you work. Work the shift that best suits your young family. 3 - 11 isn't great for families, but if it is just part time it might be okay for you.

If there are procedures done on the 7 - 3 shift that you are interested in learning about ask your manager if on a day off you could shadow the nurse doing that procedure. Also you can offer, be available, to work extra shifts, 7 - 3 shift, to cover sick calls. Just don't be afraid to say, "I haven't done that procedure before, I want to do it it but I will need your help."

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Specializes in LTC.

I started on nights in LTC as a new grad. It was a very hard learning experience. You have less resource staff at night (less nurses to ask for advice or help), and no management around, I have 41 patients and 2 CNA's (when we are not short which is not often then I have one CNA and share the other one).. Day and afternoon shift nurses have 22-24 patients. I spend my night passing meds, giving PRN's, doing charting and extra paperwork, rounding on my patients and assessing the ones who are dying or having a bad night, skin treatments, straight cathing every resident suspected of having a UTI, replacing Foley's, TB tests for every new patient or resident, getting the MAR and TAR ready at the end of the month, and getting the nurses station ready for day shift ..In an 8 hour shift I may only sit long enough to chart, though some nights can be a bit slower. I think the nurses who started on days or afternoons get a more well rounded experience. They deal with doctors, families, see their patients when they are awake and doing things, and spend more time entering and receiving orders.

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Specializes in med-surg, dementia.

I am a new nurse (2 months) and work at a post acute/rehab facility. My husband and I thought that the 3pm to 11pm would work out best for us since he leaves for work at 6am and is usually home btw 3:30-4pm (just in time for the kids when they get home from school.

As a new nurse, I have found that this is one of the best shifts to work if you want to learn a lot and gain experience with clinical and administrative duties. On a personal note, it is EXTREMELY exhausting. I don't fall asleep until at least 2-3am and have to get up at 7am to get my kids off to school and then trying to get some more rest before I have to leave at 2:15pm to go back to work...and forget about intimacy with your husband...doesn't exist anymore!!! Nothing gets done around the house either because I'm either too tired or don't have the time!

I would not recommend 11pm-7am because you will never learn anything. Most patients are asleep all night, no dressing changes to do. You'll basically do 1, maybe 2 med passes and VS. You may have the occassional "chest pain, need to send out to hospital."

This leaves the 7am-3pm shift which you will be able to learn clinical techniques as well as medications, physical therapy, dressing changes, foley cath insertions/care, speak to MDs, have contact with family members and provide education to your patients. It will be overwhelming at first, but after several months you will be more comfortable.

Bottom line, after weighing the pros/cons, 7am-3pm shift is probably best if you have children/husband and want to learn. I just put my name on the waiting list for this shift! Good luck to you!

Tina

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You will learn a ton on any shift. So whatever shift you want!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

The best shift to work as a new grad, is the shift they'll hire you for.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

I work 7-3 and I love it. The med pass is a LOT heavier on days than it is on evenings, at least in my facility. But 3-11 gets most of the admissions (about 75%). But we do a lot of discharges. I think 11-7 is the worst for a new nurse because often you're the only nurse on the floor, and many things can go wrong all at once. Doctors and supervisors are sleeping, so you may be more hesitant to call if a resident goes south, and you have less resources than you do during the day/evening.

Shift preference is totally personal. I love days partly because my husband works days too and we get to spend time together. but if he worked evenings I might like that shift better.

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Specializes in wound care.

alot of good advise above , the one i love the most is the one they will hire you for, hehe so true , theres gona be growing pains with any shift , just dont give up

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Wow, thanks everyone! I am so nervous and I have heard that first few weeks or months will be heck on wheels. Nothing like the sugar coated nursing school trip.

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I preferred nights (neuro floor).... the patients were getting assessed as often, and while there weren't as many procedures, we did get admits, deaths, and a few AMA discharges. I didn't like 3-11 for a personal reason (time was just not my thing- couldn't go to sleep when I got home, then got up just in time to go back to work; loved 12s when they came along :))- but agree that you will get the after office hour MD visits, admits and discharges, and some post-ops... some procedures.

LTC psych is a different animal. You will probably get similar patient contact on evenings and nights (depending on the diagnoses that are most predominant). You may have some sundowners going on- which can make dinner interesting :eek: But any shift will have things to learn. A lot of what is learned is dependent on wanting to :)

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