I've been a nurse for nearly 30 years. I've done my share of night shift, around 15 years total. About five years ago I left the bedside to do case management for an insurance company, and while working from home has been nice, the work doesn't feed my soul and I find it incredibly tedious and boring. Also, I have gotten a couple of masters degrees while working with this company, and I'm ready to move into nursing leadership but I just don't see a niche that I would enjoy in the industry that I am currently in. I would like to go back into acute care. I have 13 years of labor and delivery experience and I am interviewing for a night shift assistant nurse manager position at a large teaching hospital. I feel this would get me back into the hospital, get me started on acute care nursing leadership, and get my foot in the door for more opportunities in a field that I loved. However I am nervous about going back to night shift after all these years. I'm just wondering if I'm going to be able to manage it for a year or two until other opportunities open up. Has anyone else gone back to night shift after being a "normal person" for several years, particularly if you are a little older?

People who work nights are not 'abnormal'- sorry that's a sore spot for me.

But I think it's a great plan- esp. since you have such extensive night shift experience. *fingers crossed

People who work nights are not 'abnormal'- sorry that's a sore spot for me.

But I think it's a great plan- esp. since you have such extensive night shift experience. *fingers crossed

I worked nights 17 years...I consider myself very abnormal .

Otherwise I agree with your post.

I don't think it's crazy at all. I still rotate every few weeks, but that's just my personal preference. Good luck!

People who work nights are not 'abnormal'- sorry that's a sore spot for me.

But I think it's a great plan- esp. since you have such extensive night shift experience. *fingers crossed

I agree about the abnormal thing, hence the quotations. :)

Thanks for your input!

Found it hard to return to nights after a long absence, but physical condition had a lot to do with the difficulty. Get yourself in good shape if you need some conditioning. That should help.

I did and it damn near killed me.

I did and it damn near killed me.

Ditto!

I went back to night shift after being "normal" for almost 3 years.

I was 43. I did fine.

I went back to night shift after being "normal" for almost 3 years.

I was 43. I did fine.

One would expect no less from a bald-headed Cardinal!

With all that experience and qualifications and titles, and you are going back to semi-bedside role? You bet I think you gone mad! :0

I would find a cushy admin job and live in the ivory tower, telling the heavy-burden-laid overnight staff nurses "Hey you! You need to SMILE!!!! :))))"

But that's me. I also think it's crazy people gets fulfilled working in nursing... but hey I am jaded.

Pretty impressive work experience and education there, cosmicmama.

Has anyone else gone back to night shift after being a "normal person" for several years, particularly if you are a little older?

Out of my first 20 years of nursing, I worked primarily 19 years on a relatively day schedule. I've worked the MN shift for the past 15 plus years primarily because I wanted to get away from all the daytime drama and BS when managers were around.

Most of my career has been spent working Monday-Friday days, and Holidays in the facility as the host with my family. Night shift does have some perks though...

No management

Best co-workers-tight group

Higher salary

No family member or at least very few

If you treat your body right, sleep at least 6-8 hours uninterrupted, have dark out window treatment and wear noise block out hearing you should be fine. I have thought about night shift but I know I am a morning person.

Good on you!