Which had you rather do?

galenight, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

The decision is yours alone. And it can't just be about money. If you think about it, your increase is only $40/week if you work 5 days a week. Yes, that's $2000 a year. But where is your best quality of life going to be? Some people love midnights. Some people love afternoons. And then there are people who loathe each of those shifts. Imagine what your life will be like if you work each of those shifts. How will it affect your family, your kids if you have them, your weekends, your dating ability... whatever your issues are and then go from there. Are you a night owl anyway? Then either shift will work for you, but if you are an early riser, you probably won't do well with midnights. Good luck

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

Personally, I think it would be much harder to complete the business of the day if you worked 3-11.....I work 5-5 and it works for me, cause I can sleep til 1-2 go run a few errands, come back and get ready for work....it depends on what works for you and yours....good luck figuring it out....

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 25, 2008

You have to pick your schedule based on your personal needs and what you are capable of.

I work 3-11pm because I have to be available in the AM to get the kids off to school. I don't mind staying up late but I doubt that I could mange to stay up all night on a long term basis because around 3am I feel like I am dying. 3-11pm does cut into the day somewhat because if I want to get something done I have to get it done early.

I have two friends who work nights with two different experiences. One is a single guy with no kids and he loves it because he is a night owl and his preference has always been to sleep the days away. My other friend does it out of necessity because she cannot afford child care. What ends up happening to her is that she doesn't get adequate sleep because by the time she settles in she has to pick up her child from school.

Do what works for you never mind the extra buck.

zb2008 · Jan 25, 2008

It's what you think will fit your lifestyle better. I worked 7p-7a for almost 3 years and would never work nights again. Some people love it but for me it was not the answer. I have said before that no matter what the pay would be,I would never work nights again. Good luck to you with whatever decision you make.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

Agree, it's about your personal needs. I worked 3-11 and found it physically very easy on my body and I loved. However, it isolated me from my boyfriend at the time and almost all my other friends and it wasn't good for me.

I then worked nights for many years after that and it worked well but was physically more taxing to the point after 13 years I switched to day shift for less money.

Good luck in whatever you do.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

Would you rather work the 3pm-11pm shift for $22.23 an hour or the 11pm-7am shift for $23.25 an hour? I'm thinking the $22.23 shift because then it is at least at a decent hour.
My Health/Vision/Dental insurance is $56 a month

It's a matter of 8 dollars a day or $40/week. Unless you are by nature a night shifter, then it's a no brainer for me. I'd pack my dinner, homebrew my coffee and make up the difference there.

Blee

Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN · Jan 27, 2008

Would you rather work the 3pm-11pm shift for $22.23 an hour or the 11pm-7am shift for $23.25 an hour? I'm thinking the $22.23 shift because then it is at least at a decent hour.
My Health/Vision/Dental insurance is $56 a month...is that a good amount?
Also, if I were to put money into my 401K, is there anyway I could withdraw it if neccessary?

As others have said,pick the shift for your needs. And your needs may (will) change over time. I worked 3-11 for years ,was home in morning with my kids, husband home in afternoon. 7p to 7 a worked for us for some time also. Last few years 7a to 7p was best for family and activity. (But I really loved that 3-11 at the time)

Now about a 401K, it shouldn't be IF I were to put money into it, should be I put money into it! And yes you can, you will not miss it if you start saving on a regular schedule now. And if your employer adds to it ,its free money for when you retire. I look at it as kind of free money now as it is taken out before taxes. Yes you can withdraw but have a big penalty and pay alot of tax. Put it in and forget about it for the next 10,20,30 years (depending how old you are now)