Which shift would you choose?

[Alexxoxox, BSN]

Would you prefer shift 11am-11pm or 6pm-6am, and why? 

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

6-6 would be better, except the traffic.  I'd rather 11p-11a. I am generally a late night person. I think I would hate being at work during the whole day (what can you do before or after work with those hours?)

[TAKOO01, BSN]

Both shifts sound hard if you have kids. If no kids are involved,  11 a to 11p seems best. No overnights, so you can sleep regularly. And if the job isn't too far  away, you have some time to yourself in the morning. 

Other factors to consider are the type of facility (do they get tons of visitors/ family? That might sway some people towards overnights) and length of commute.

[Joan Troyer RN BSN]

Remember that someone must work the 6pm - 6 am or the 11 pm - 11am shift. Working nights always made me ill. I'm a "need for sunshine" person. I know there are people who can work nights without issues. But I could not.

I worked 12 hr shifts in my 30's. Then after 40, I worked in nursing areas where I didn't need to work 12 hrs unless I was on call. Now that I'm 60, give me the 8 hours and less than 40 hours a week and no floor nursing. I'm just getting tired of nursing. I used to be able to handle the patients and families with their needs. 

Last year when I was hit by a car as a pedestrian, the first 48 hours were difficult. Due to the injuries, I had issues with urination. I know it made the work of the nurse difficult. I had one nurse I knew was close to my age and she was not my favorite nurse. It is sad that we old nurses get cranky and set in our ways. I was hoping never to become that kind of nurse. Unfortunately, due to the work nurses deal with each day, we do develop a type of PTSD.

I want you to know that there is no support or understanding given by your peers because an empty bucket cannot fill another empty bucket.

Nurses need a type of self-care or employee support. Yes, there is EAP (Employee Assistance Program), but 6 sessions to debrief with a counselor is a laugh. And when in crisis, and it is in crisis that a nurse will reach out to use EAP, there doesn't seem to be a simple path to access the offered help.

My suggestion is that a nurse plans for the day they crack. If that day doesn't come, then fine. But at least you can be a support to the nurse working alongside of you for when they crack.

[CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P]

11 am to 11 pm is awesome! Time in the morning, not home too late. My hospital has a 10-10 that's not bad at all. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Need more details. Do you have kids? What is your commute? Can your body tolerate night shift?

11a to 11p would be a busy, but normal schedule. 6pm- 6 am might be quieter, depending on the unit.

Let us know how it works out... good luck.

[LPNuser]

I would kill to work 11a to 11p

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

Both shifts are not kid friendly; the 11-11 moreso than the 6-6.

That being said, I would probably go with 11-11 as I loathe night shift.