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Discussion

Bedside might not be for me

Hey guys,

So I've only been a nurse for about 1.5 years. My goal was always to work in the ICU. Well, I finally got a job there and to be honest I am not loving it.

The work is okay, but where I work we do rotating shifts. This means six days and six night shifts a month. I am struggling IMMENSELY with this. My mental health has been plummeting, and my GI system is all out of whack. I don't have any meaningful days off anymore, as they are spent trying to switch between day and night shifts or just recovering. I barely see my boyfriend or speak to my family at this point.

I know that there will be a slight adjustment period, but I have been thinking that I can't do the rotating shifts. I spoke to my manager and there is not really another option besides going part-time or per diem. Either way, at this point I feel my priorities have shifted and I crave a work-life balance more than I do critical care.

I'm very hard on myself and have been feeling slightly like a failure; I finally got my "dream" job and I'm miserable?! I have been thinking that no job is worth my mental and physical health. I'm thinking of branching out into primary care. I figure it will help me gain experience for when I become an FNP anyways.

This is not a dig on primary care. I crave that kind of job. However, how do I stop myself from feeling like I'm "not good enough" for the hospital? I can do the work but I find myself unhappy. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thank you!

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    • Columnist

    It's not you, it's the rotating shifts. Rotating shifts have well-documented adverse effects on health. So sorry your hospital is even doing this, it's archaic.

    ICU experience is great, but not at the cost of your health. Some people can tolerate rotating shifts, but that's not you!  Don't compare yourself to anyone else and make a change as soon as possible. 

    Best wishes ?

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    12 hours ago, ib0291 said:

    However, how do I stop myself from feeling like I'm "not good enough" for the hospital?

    Just realize that hospital corporations seem to be in some kind of race to the bottom and there isn't anything necessarily wrong with employees who don't quite enjoy the ride.

    Rotating shifts is a ridiculous practice (I prefer the word abusive, actually) and these places look pathetic acting as if there is no other solution to their purported problems.

     

    12 hours ago, ib0291 said:

    I spoke to my manager and there is not really another option besides going part-time or per diem.

    Your manager forgot one: You finding another job. One where they don't claim that their business is health care while simultaneously using rotating shifts to accomplish their routine staffing plan.

    I think that about sums it up. ???‍♀️

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    As if nursing was not difficult enough.. the powers that be throw  in rotating shifts. Your circadian rhythm  is now completely messed up. NO job is worth that. I would go part time stat... find another position that does not mess with your mind, body , and soul.

     

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    Would never, ever do rotating shifts.  I don’t know who on earth thinks that is a good idea. There are people that enjoy night shift.  You should never make day shift people do nights or night shift people do days.  
     

    Find another place to work.

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    I lasted 6 months on rotating shifts - now way will I ever do that again. It’s not you - many people can’t tolerate doing those shifts because it completely throws your body and sleep cycle out of wack. No job is worth that and any potential employer should understand if the sole reason you left this job was due to the rotating shifts.

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