working nights

BadBird, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2004

I am about to start a BSN program. I am a second-careerer with 3 kids. As I get closer to beginning, I get excited but also second-guess my choice. I feel pretty confident that I will like the work, but I understand that working nights is pretty much a given. I can't think of any other job that I would like to do, but I just can't seem to get past having to work nights. I think that I would like to work in NICU or PICU which I understand are areas that many people like to work (meaning tough to get days). I could probably deal with nights for a year, but honestly think that is about it. So finally my question: Do you all honestly think that that is a serious impediment to working in the field? Did any of you feel the same way and found a way around it or did you feel the same way and feel that going ahead and going into nursing was a bad decision?

I understand your concern, I feel the same way about starting a new job and having to orient on DAYLIGHT, I hate days, I only work nights. I think with the nursing shortages and constant turnovers you will not have to work as many nights as you think. Good luck to you.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2004

There is such a shortage of nurses right now, I would not worry about having to work nights just yet. Believe it or not, there are a lot of nurses who prefer nights. It is not just something that you do because days is not available. There are plenty of options in nursing that are day shift or a variation of day shift. You may find that evenings may work better for you. I know a lot of nurses who have school age kids, and prefer nights. They are off in time to get kids off to school, sleep while they are there and are awake for them in the evenings. Another way of coping with nights is to try to work a string of them in a row. I prefer to work 6 shifts on and 8 off (12 hours), but my kids are grown and I don't have to do anything but sleep and work on those days. Then I have a long stretch off to have a "real life". Don't worry about shifts, just relax and get through school. You will have enough on your mind!

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2004

Hi

First off, you are only beginning school--don't start worrying about shift work yet!! There is a shortage of nurses--there are so many open jobs--leave the worries for later.

You have enough to worry about with school and a family for now.

Good Luck in school

Mary Ann

NurseD.LPN · Aug 19, 2004

I just started working nights and thought I would hate it. I had a hard time sleeping during the days at first. It always seemed like I never got enough rest. Someone introduced me to melatonin, It has made such a difference in my rest during the day. So if you start out working nights melatonin will help greatly.

NiteShiftNut · Aug 19, 2004

lgreen,

first of all congrats on deciding to go to nursing school. i agree with some of the others posts, don't stress about shift work yet, you still have 4 years to worry about that! no sense in getting yourself all cranked about it right now. relax. that said, have you ever worked nights? if you haven't, then you don't really know that you wouldn't like it until you try it. now maybe you wouldn't like it, but there are a lot of people who love nightshift, ( me being one of them, if i had to work dayshift i would throw myself off the roof) so if you really wanted/needed days it might not be as hard to get as you think. but right now you have a lot on your plate just getting through school, so concentrate on that, and worry about the shift work when the time comes. good luck with school!!:) :lol2: :smokin: :roll

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2004

Hi,

I all ready wrote you once, but forgot to mention that I am a nite worker--almost 30 years!! I LOVE IT!! They could not bribe me with enough money to work day shift!! It was a bit hard at first, but then I got used to it. Melatonin has also helped me with sleep problems!!

But as I said before, just do school now & don't worry about shift work until later.

Mary Ann

herring_mom2 · Aug 19, 2004

What do you guys think about the new overtime laws that will go into effect August 23rd as it relates to nursing?:uhoh21:

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Aug 19, 2004

That sounds like a new thread to me....

Why not start one with that exact question? (Not sure what Bush has to do with it, though....)

New thread? Thanks!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2004

There are lots of people who get days fresh out of school. There are people like myself and Mary Ann who have been on nights for years by choice. So working nights is not a given. If your dream position only has nights open you can always take that with the understanding that you want days asap. Once you start, you have to continually remind management that you are looking to get on days. Good luck in school! :)

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 19, 2004

I think you are wise to consider these things as you start school. Too many nurses delay thinking about these things until after they graduate. Then they discover that the demands of the nursing field make their career choice less acceptable to them -- and they end up leaving nursing.

Yes, in some cities, you may have to work nights IF you choose to specialize in certain fields that require 24/hour/day coverage. In some units, every has to take their fair share of turns with the "unpopular" shifts. Sometimes you get lucky and find that your particular preferences complement the preferences of others -- i.e. other people want to work nights so you don't have to. But that's dependent on the particular population of nurses in a particular unit in a particular hospital, etc. What is true for 1 unit in 1 hospital in 1 city may not be the same as another.

Also, some specialities/units doen't provide 24/7 service. If you are interested in one of those specialties, you won't have that problem.

But you are very wise to be thinking ahead of time whether or not "the nursing life" is for you. I am always amazed (and frustrated) by new grads who are shocked to find that they have to work their fair share between December 20th and January 2nd ... Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Haloween, Easter, etc. As if they thought the patients all go home ...

Keep thinking about it ... keep asking questions ... etc. There are lots of options and you can probably find one that will suit you. But it might mean that you have to choose the right specialty, the right employer, etc. and they might not be the ones you are now considering.

llg

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Aug 19, 2004

Yes, in some cities, you may have to work nights IF you choose to specialize in certain fields that require 24/hour/day coverage. In some units, every has to take their fair share of turns with the "unpopular" shifts. Sometimes you get lucky and find that your particular preferences complement the preferences of others -- i.e. other people want to work nights so you don't have to. But that's dependent on the particular population of nurses in a particular unit in a particular hospital, etc. What is true for 1 unit in 1 hospital in 1 city may not be the same as another.
llg

A tip for the OP - This is called "rotating shifts" and it is cruel and unusual. If you hear this mentioned, do yourself a favor and RUN away to find a unit with management that respects the health of its nurses a little more than this. Once you become accustomed to night shift (or day or evening shift), your circadian rhythms can adapt over time, usually - yet some people never get used to it. But, if you are always "taking your fair share of turns" you will never have a set routine and your health will likely suffer. 12-hour shifts are hard enough on the body without the added stress of going from day to night and back again.