Working Nights and Having a Life

Nurses Career Support

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Hi there.

I just accepted a position as a new grad on a progressive care unit.

The shift is nights, 7-7 3 days a week. Its self-scheduled to an extent, proper staffing trumps all, but staff desires are accommodated wherever possible.

I'm looking for advice on:

1. Transitioning from my current 8 hours a day, only on Sat and Sun, retail job into my new 3 nights a week job.

2. Maintaining a life with my day working friends if at all possible.

My first day is July 13th (as I still need to take NCLEX, waiting on my ATT), so I have some time to prepare.

I'm planning on making my last day at my current job July 7th, so I will have a full week to adjust and prepare for my first day.

Any advice would be fantastic!!

Specializes in Progressive Care/ICU Stepdown.

I know they said everyone has to work 2 weekends a month.

Honestly that's great for me. The job I'm at now (literally, I'm typing this on my phone) I've been at since before starting nursing school, and I've had to work literally every Saturday and Sunday for the past 3 years.

Outside in the weather to boot :p

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I worked nights when I was younger and loved it! The schedule at times interfered with some social time but all-in-all it was a wash. I never maintained the same sleep habits and did really well, but I think this is an individual preference. Now that I'm older I no longer work nights and doubt I'd be able to do. I say go for it!!

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i too LOVED nights. i was a night shifter for a couple of years before i got engaged. my hubs is a teacher so i only really left so we would have similar schedules...if i had thought it through, looking back i would have stayed and worked something like m,t,w night with the rest of the week off...

my advice is to start off varying your shifts until you are comfortable, but eventually i worked 3 in a row and if they were short, i would agree to work an extra shift later in the week.

btw- i DO know of nurses who do a 3 straight and then it's their weekend or something, and they get stuck going 2-3 more in a ROW.

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I'm about to start a job working 3 nights a week too. If you could do 6 nights on and 8 off would you do it? Has anyone?

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Specializes in CVICU.
I'm about to start a job working 3 nights a week too. If you could do 6 nights on and 8 off would you do it? Has anyone?

I don't know about anyone else, but after my 4th night I'm ready to be off.

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