So I work in a hospital lab. Have done so for 5 years, and may end up doing so for the next 30 if I don't get my ass in gear and get my bachelors in something meaningful. I currently only have an associates in medical technology. Now, I could get my bachelors in the same thing but that would definitely lock me into the same field forever.


This past year I've had the opportunity to work all three hospital shifts.
Here's how they break down.
First Shift/Day Shift - This shift has the most staff. Too many people, many of whom have been there 20+ years and will only work in one area and thus presume they are experts in that area. They are not. They're older, are not good at multi-tasking and our fixated on doing things the way the learned them 30 years ago.
Also this shift is populated by managers and specialists so goofing off or variances in procedures is not allowed.

Second Shift/Evening Shift- My shift, and my current favorite. The managers are gone by 5 and the decrease in the air tensions is palatable. Most staff are generalists so everyone is free to rotate around. However, your work flow is pretty much determined by the hospital staff. So you're either fairly busy and completely dead. At which point I like to overstaff, use my vacation pay, and go home early.

Third Shift/Night Shift - No one wants this shift. Typically the hardest shift to fill. People either stay on this shift forever or rotate in and out with most not lasting more than a year or so. Very limited staff, usually just two or three techs. Making you responsible for numerous areas. Great for multi-taskers, night-owls, and non-social people.
The morning run is killer though. Around 4 am right when you're dead tired, suddenly every person in the hospital needs morning lab work so the doctors can have completed results by 7 am. Does staff increase to meet this workload? Nope, the day shift don't show up until 6 or so and are more concerned with their morning routine than helping you out.

So why do I do this? I have few other skills, it pays well, and it can be interesting work when you don't just feel like an assembly line worker rubber stamping results. Not what I want my life's work to be, though.