working nights

[lgreen]

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?

[llg, PhD, RN]

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.

Some schedules for rotating shifts ARE indeed "cruel." Others are even "unusual." But some form of rotating shifts is a pretty common phenomenon in health care -- and depending upon where the original poster lives, she may have to do some rotating shifts if she chooses to work in a unit that provides 24/7 care. That's just reality and nursing students need to be aware that if they refuse to work any night shifts, they may be severely limiting their job opportunities.

Not everyone can adapt to every system of rotating -- and if you can't adapt to a particular one, then "yes," you should seek another job. But there are different systems of rotating, and one system may not work for you, another one might work. Also, some people like the variety that rotating shifts provide -- others don't like rotating regularly, but don't mind an occassional "off shift." I had a rotation that I really enjoyed many years ago as a new grad -- one full month of days followed by one full month of nights. It worked very well for me. Once I had reached a stage in my career when I didn't HAVE to work nights anymore, I still voluntarily worked a few nights here and there to help meet the needs of the unit -- and didn't mind it. I made it work for me. I have friends who have found other ways to rotate shifts that work well for them.

Also, when I was referring to "working your fair share of unpopular shifts," I was not referring exclusively to night shifts. I was also referring to holidays, weekends, etc. -- whatever shifts happen to be unpopular in a particular environment. If you choose to work on a unit that is busy on those unpopular shifts, you can't expect (particularly as a new person) to never have to work them. You have to be willing to take your turn or choose another job.

It's all about choice -- and that's what the original poster is trying to do well -- make an informed choice that will work for her. Nursing students need to be aware that if they choose certain career paths, they will probably have to work some night shifts, weekends, holidays, etc.. If that's unacceptable to them, then they need to make a different career choice.

llg

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

llg

Couldn't agree with you more that students DO need to think about whether or not a 24/7 working environment is acceptable for them or if working in a job that allows for 9-5 dayshift is an acceptable "consolation prize" for them. For example, if they want to be NICU or PICU nurses, but only want 8 hour dayshift, they need to think about if they are willing to give up one ideal or the other - because the combo is NOT going to happen (at the very least they'll most likely have to give on the 8-hour shift - critical care is almost exclusively 12's).

I'm always a little surprised (and more than a little irritated) when students (or people doing prereqs) come on here and say - they aren't going to make ME work nights, weekends, and holidays are they??? They can't do that can they??? Sure everyone else does it, but tell me please that they won't make ME do it!!! -- WELL YEAH! If you want to work in this setting, you're gonna do it right along with the rest of us. If you're willing to work in an office to get away from it, fine! If not, I suggest you learn how to deal or rethink your plan.

The rotating shifts, on the other hand, are just lazy management in my opinion (another option is overly cheap administration). When you interview folks, you tell them that the opening is night shift and do not cave when they tell you they would be happy to work days for you. When you do this, however, you have to give some incentive to make it worthwhile. After all, it has been proven time and time again that working nights is detrimental to health and there are cumulative effects of it. Keeping just that in mind, to offer some ridiculous 50 cent an hour differential is a slap in the face (as is requiring staff to rotate so you don't have to offer differential). 18-33% is common and fair for differentials. Weekend and holiday differentials are also a necessity. It is important to recognize that people do have lives away from the workplace, and when you infringe on their family time, you must make up for it in compensation. Too many managers and administrators just do not understand this - likely because they are at home with their families and never give it a second thought.

[boulergirl, CNA]

I've spent four years working the graveyard shift as a nursing assistant, and am getting ready to switch to day shift again (I want to be awake with everyone else).

With that being said, there are definite blessings to working nights:

-- you work at your own pace (or at least a slower pace)

-- minimal exposure to office politics

-- you work with patients without having to deal with their families

-- less hectic, stressful environment

-- no sitting in traffic, and you get to run errands in peace because everyone else is AT WORK!

-- some places give you shift differential (mine doesn't)

-- management/state/corporate office not looking over your shoulder all the time--you get to work in peace

The drawbacks:

-- you're working against your body's natural rhythm, and I won't kid you, this is TOUGH! (But if you're doing it short-term, you should be okay)

-- you're invisible to management most of the time

-- sometimes you might have to attend staff meetings or in-services during the day--ugh!

-- family and friends need to be very understanding, because you'll be working opposite schedules

-- less staff to work with at night (but this is a blessing sometimes)

Hope this helps! Night shift's a bugger, but maybe you won't have to do it, and if you do, you WON'T die, I promise! :rotfl: