Is night shift intolerance worth the $$ and Bennies??

Nurses General Nursing

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I started a night shift position a few months ago on a med-surg floor and am not tolerating it well at all. I used to sleep like a baby, anytime anywhere, and now the most I can sleep is in 4 hour chunks, day or night.

I have tried all the suggestions: black-out shades, masks, fans, warm baths, relaxation techniques before bedtime, adhering to a night schedule on my "days" off, etc etc... and I still get very interrupted sleep. I'm exhausted all the time and it's doing a real number on my migraines. I have CONSTANT headaches and neck pain. Also, I feel my dysthymia threatening to crawl back in my life. In short, I'm miserable.

I'm not a new grad and actually left a nice job with regular hours for this current job. Why? In hindsight, it was due to part peer pressure, the "grass is greener" phenomenon, the offer of much more money, and better benefits. So there lies the dilemma. This current job offers fantastic benefits and, yes, much more money. The current job offers free healthcare for life if you stay with them for a certain number of (several) years which my old job does not offer.

I do have the option to go back to my old job but they only have a per diem position open for me. I could go on my spouse's insurance, however, if I took the per diem position at my old job, and I'm sure I could eventually move back into a full-time position in time with full benefits.

Basically, I'm at a quandary because I feel so physically miserable and am not crazy about the current job. I think I was crazy to leave my old position to work the floor again, especially when I know so many nurses are trying to leave the floor! Also, the current place I work is behemoth, and sometimes I feel I've sold my soul to work there. The culture there is... weird and different, to say the least. But long-term and practically-speaking, it would be great for me, if my body could just tolerate this God-forsaken shift. In the short-term and health-wise, I think going back to my old job would be wiser. What should I do??

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Specializes in RN.

I am a new RN after being an LPN for a year and CNA for 4 yrs prior to that. I have done night shift work for 16+ years, so I understand your dilemma well. I like the night shift and I hate it for how it affects me physically. I need the most $$ I can get my hands on at this time but can already surmise that i will gladly give up $$ down the road to get to a day shift position again down the road. In my experience the question is "can you tolerate night shift?" I don't think I will ever feel healthy on nights. Good luck with your decision...

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Exit96-Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I used to like the night shift, also, when I was younger. When I first started out in healthcare a little over 10 years ago, I was a CNA and worked nights 5 nights a week and could come home and sleep like a baby for 8 hours straight during the day no problem! Also, when I was a new grad and a couple years thereafter I had little problem adjusting to the 12 hour night shift routine. Well, after tasting the Day life and having to go back, it feels like torture. My body is rebelling big-time. I could kick myself for doing this to myself, I really could. :uhoh3:

Good luck to you, too.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Free healthcare for the rest of your life? Stay where you are.

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.

Yoga helped me when I couldn't sleep when working nights. I imagine any moderate to strenuous exercise would have the same effect.

I toughed it out until I found a day/night position on my floor.

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I used to be very active before starting This job and still try to get some form of activity in, like at least long walks with my dog. I used to do lots of yoga, ballet, running, and HIIT training, but it seems like the yoga makes my headaches worse nowadays. I have been to my pcp about this and have been started on Topamax, so we'll see if that has any effect. My health has definitely gone down the toilet, and I am having to take Trazodone now to get even 4 hours of sleep day or night. My body is really rebelling more than I expected it would.

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This is after 25 years that you get the free healthcare.

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Try taking Melatonin an hour before bed. I sleep so good taking it. I take 3mg.

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Horsebytes, I've tried it. I've tried the regular one and the sustained release. It does nothing to me for some reason. Thank you for the suggestion, though.

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My husband has been working this shift for years and has never completely adjusted. At the moment, he is our main source of income. Once I become stabilized at a job, I'm hoping he will quit his job of 13 years and return to college to get a degree in something he loves.

I left a very good paying job because I became complacent and depressed over the last couple of years in my position. Yep, money was tight, but we managed and not only was I happier, so was everyone else in my family.

You are the only one who can take care of you. One body, one chance, short time on earth--don't waste it. You have options.

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I'm not hearing any positives for staying where you are.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, PACU,SICU.

Don't stay if you are jeopardizing your health

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