What shift did you work????

miko014 · Feb 22, 2008

I started on second because that was what was open when I graduated. I'm on the list to go to 7a-7p now. I've done second for awhile now, and it's starting to get old. I really liked it at first, though.

In my experience, it seems like second shift is the hardest to fill, so it might not be too hard to get in on that. I personally hate night shift, but it works really well for a lot of people. Pros of working days - regular hours. Cons of days - LOTS of people around, less money (no shift diff). Pros of evenings - you don't have to get up early, not quite so many folks in the nurses station all the time, shift diff (most places, anyway). Cons of evenings - tough to have a personal life because these are odd hours, sometimes more visitors around, lots of places do floor cleaning on eve shift, and it's loud and annoying. Pros to nights - very few people there to bother you, quieter environment, more $$$$$. Cons to nights - less staff to help when you are busy, not the easiest hours to work for a lot of people, sometimes hard to sleep during the day. Just look around and see what is available in your area when it comes time to graduate. If nothing else, maybe you can find a unit that rotates, so you would be days most of the time and then do a few weeks on nights when your turn comes up. Not the best, but better than straight nights. And I wouldn't let that deter you from becoming a nurse if that's what you really want to do. Even if you do have to start on nights, hopefully you won't have to stay there too long!!! And like I said, every shift has its good and bad points. Hope this helps!!!

Piki · Feb 22, 2008

I was a new grad that started last summer, there were 5 of us that started in the same unit, all of us are D/E's (PT and FT) and only one signed up for the 3 12's night shift steady. There are actually more D/E position available at my hospital than straight nights.

hygienejunkie · Feb 22, 2008

I was a new grad that started last summer, there were 5 of us that started in the same unit, all of us are D/E's (PT and FT) and only one signed up for the 3 12's night shift steady. There are actually more D/E position available at my hospital than straight nights.

what does D/E's mean??? i know absolutely nothing of nursing..i need to take two classes to get on THE WAITING PERIOD>...so, lol..i have lots of time for research...thanks for your post...

Piki · Feb 22, 2008

D/E's - day/evenings

anniesong · Feb 22, 2008

I started and still remain on the night shift. This was my only option at the time at my facility in the area I wanted to work. I started on 8 hour ngihts (11p-7a) (40 hrs/wk) and am now on 12 hour nights (7p-7a) (36 hrs/wk). I've had the opportunity to change to eves but decided not to apply for that position since right now I prefer to 12 hour shifts.

The availability of shifts varies from facility to facility, unit to unit, and can change frequently. In my unit, it's practically unheard of for a fulltime daytime position to be posted to be filled from outside the facility, since those positions are generally snatched up from within. Despite this, however, there are a lot of experienced nurses on the night shift (7p-7a) who've been there for many years and have chosen to stay on nights, even when day positions open up.

As far as how quickly opportunities open up, again it varies. I started orientation with 2 other nurses, both of whom were able to get fulltime day positions (7a-7p) practically right off of orientation, though this is not the norm.

The state of the need for nurses in my area made it possible for many of my nursing school classmates to get daytime or d/e rotating positions right out of school. The more "specialized" the position gets, however, it seems as though the less options were open for day positions.

To find out what it is like in your area, I would suggest you check out the websites of the facilities in your area that you would be interested in and see what sort of positions they are offering right now. Things may be different when you graduate and are eligible for a job, but it can give you an idea at least. Also talk to HR or nurses who work in those facilities for their take on positions and scheduling options and availability.