advice appreciated from nurses who work variable shifts

oregonnurse2007 · Feb 23, 2011

I had a similar experience when I was a new grad in ED...I could work 7-19, 9-21, 11-23, 14-02, 17-05 or 19-07 at any given time. My manager was really good about making sure my start times were progressively later, ie I would work 9-21, 14-02, then 17-05. It at least allowed for some extra sleep and a progressive change to nights if it was needed. I never had a 19-07 followed by a midshift later on in the week, if I started on nights I stayed on nights that week. Perhaps you could ask your manager for this?

PAERRN20 · Feb 23, 2011

Could you ask for one set shift? I work straight 3-11 shift and its okay. I miss a lot of family time, but I am not flipping back and forth. To me, it is worth. Usually 3-11 or 11-7/7p-7a are the undesirable shift. Perhaps offering to work on of those shifts would work with your manager. Good luck I know how you feel.

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2011

To me I hate 7-3. I hate waking up in the morning.

One of the good things I like about 3-11 is that I can go to bed as late as I want.. and wake up at 11am, 12pm and still feel rested and still have time to hang out before I go to work.

I recently did a few months of 11-7. You have to make your needs known with whoever makes your schedule. Once they put me on 11-7 and later that day 3-11. I told them after I work 11-7 I have to sleep until 5pm so I can't work 3-11 after I work an 11-7 shift.

Chin up · Feb 23, 2011

I did the multi shift for years. I am now screwed up. Lol. I am on a straight 8-4pm as I work in administration,, however my body never adjusted back. I can find myself up cleaning, reading or watching a movie at 2am, wide awake. I can sleep all night and still drag all through the day. Ideally now, my body would love to sleep from 3pm-7pm, then back to bed at 5 am. Ridiculous, but my ideal. Nights are tough and unnatural to the body and cause weight gain, sleep disorders, stress, HTN and a myriad of other disorders. Multi shifts, if done for extended periods, are much worse and should be done away with. You can do anything for a year but, I would not subject my body to anymore than that, if I had to do it over again. Peace!

caliotter3 · Feb 23, 2011

Please talk to your supervisor to let her know what is going on and so she knows you would like to be considered for an adjustment to your schedule as soon as possible.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2011

I agree with what others have said. You could also see a sleep specialist about the possibility of taking something to help you sleep. There is actually something called shift work sleep disorder (google it). I work a rotating shift and I have been taking Lunesta for the last couple years and I have found it to work pretty good.

MntnGirl · Feb 24, 2011

I use to be in the same position you are (schedule wise), I recently told my manager that this was not working for me, I only want graveyard shifts and nothing else. Manager was okay with this and I am now 100% graveyard - the flip flopping was hell on my body, physically and emotionally, and by the time I had adjusted on my days off I had to turn around and go right back to work. I find that if you don't speak up and let the powers that make the schedule know what you want you'll continue to be prone to these chaotic schedules. Now on my floor it was no problem for me to say I want 100% nights but there is no way I would be able to do 100% days (never want to work days on my floor anyways), there is a waiting list for RN's to get day shifts. You need to speak up or forever hold your peace!

PediLove2147, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2011

I know the feeling. I work Monday 7p-7a or 11p-7a then again Wednesday 8a-6p. I am always exhausted on Wednesday because I end up sleeping too long during the day on Tuesday and can't sleep that night.

I would mention something to whoever does your schedule. Maybe they have a more set schedule available.

carluvscats · Feb 24, 2011

I want to thank each of you for taking the time to post your thoughts. The general consensus is what I know I need to do, just be a big girl and talk to my manager. I haven't done that yet because I'm just so happy to have a job, and as I said, I'm the newest on the floor. Plus, the position I took was one specifically designed to "fill in the gaps" on the floor, and when we discussed it initially, I really thought it wouldn't be a problem. I guess I feel a little guilty that I haven't adjusted like I think I should.

I know for certain there are no other shifts available, but what I plan on offering is to exchange my 7a-7p shifts for 3-11s, and give up one of my days off. Right now I get 4 days off in a row, which is pretty sweet, but it would be worth relinquishing one of those in order to feel better the rest of the time.

Again, thank you for the kindness and wisdom, and best wishes to those who are struggling as I am.

WCSU1987 · Jul 9, 2015

Variable shifts is the worst idea ever created. It's like your soul is being sucked out. I dread going to work. I dread dealing with patients. I try to avoid extra work/extra shifts. Try to get by with work by the bare minimum.

My work asked me what shift I prefer to work said "Second." However, rotate months where I work mornings more and evenings less. Other months mornings less and evenings more. Still there is no set schedule my sleep cycle is out of wacky because I'll do either 2 day shifts and 2 evening shifts or 3 evening shifts and 1 day shift. Occasionally but rarely a night may be thrown in there.

Never never ever do variable shifts...EVER!!!

stockmanjr, BSN · Oct 25, 2019

After reading the above it reinforces my decision to turn down a rotating shift position. A very well known hospital offered me a residency position and they told me it could take 1 1/2 to 3 years to get off of the rotation. I always love the blah blah about how important nurses are yet they do things like this which are dangerous to patient care.