Published Oct 13, 2020
Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN
343 Posts
Hello All,
I was recently offered a full-time night position at a local hospital in my area. Originally, I applied for days but the position was given to an internal employee. So im left with just a night time opening. While I could use the full time hours and the benefits I‘ve never worked nights before. And I am afraid my sleep schedule will be all over the place considering that fact that my child is during virtual kindergarten during the day. I am a single parent with little to no help. I need some advice ? Covid has seriously impacted me I’m under a lot of stress. Please share your experiences with night shift.
I would like a part-time day shift position with benefits at least until covid eases and the school re-opens. Normally I worked while my child attended school and I utilized before and after care services.
Chickenlady
144 Posts
Sounds like a night position is not workable unless you get someone to look after the kiddo during the days you work. You will not get any meaningful rest during the day otherwise.
HiddencatBSN, BSN
594 Posts
Childcare for small children is a not small part of why I am still married. You will need someone to watch your kid overnight, and without in person school you will need someone to watch them for at least a few hours during the day while you sleep. Or you’ll manage to survive on no sleep and work yourself sick.
speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P
544 Posts
Everyone handles nights differently. Some love it and some hate it. Some it works really well for their lives and some are ready to move off of night shift within a few weeks. I did night shift for years and it was fine. The second go around not so much. My life had changed and circumstances in my life had changed. One thing to think about is when and how you can get sleep. This second go around I maybe got an hour or two of sleep before each night shift. I was a physical and emotional mess. It’s just something to think about and if you will feel safe with your patients and then at home with your child if you are constantly trying to go without sleep. Personally, I didn’t feel that I could think clearly or logically the second time on so little sleep.
LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM
1,656 Posts
Working full time nights and needing to be up all day to care for your child is simply not feasible. You will make yourself sick.
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
Make a pact with yourself that the arrangements you are being forced into will only last as long as you need to find a day job. All kinds of jobs are as scarce as ever right now. You might not get another chance. Unless you know for a fact that your area has a better job situation, then endure this. Waste no time looking for that better situation.
On 10/13/2020 at 2:13 PM, speedynurse said: Everyone handles nights differently. Some love it and some hate it. Some it works really well for their lives and some are ready to move off of night shift within a few weeks. I did night shift for years and it was fine. The second go around not so much. My life had changed and circumstances in my life had changed. One thing to think about is when and how you can get sleep. This second go around I maybe got an hour or two of sleep before each night shift. I was a physical and emotional mess. It’s just something to think about and if you will feel safe with your patients and then at home with your child if you are constantly trying to go without sleep. Personally, I didn’t feel that I could think clearly or logically the second time on so little sleep.
I just learned this unit just opened up at part time night position. What are your thoughts on working two nights a week ? Also would it be a bad idea to ask for the part time night position after turning down the full time position?
Hoosier_RN, MSN
3,965 Posts
I just replied to your other post concerning this. You will need to reapply
kbrn2002, ADN, RN
3,930 Posts
Single mom with a kid who's not in the traditional school setting would not be in my opinion a good fit for a night shift position. When exactly would you plan to sleep?
It would be doable if and only if you have good, reliable child care and even then it probably wouldn't be worth doing unless that child care was a family member taking on the job for free! You would need child care not only for the hours you are working but also the hours you are sleeping so you'd end up with your little one being with your child care provider more than being with you.