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Discussion

Burnt out from working night shift

Hey nurse friends, I have a dilemma. I currently work as a full-time CVICU night shift nurse. I work 3 12 hour night shifts a week. I am scheduled to work the next three nights, have four days off, and then work another two night shifts. I am taking up a travel nurse position that is day shift and I will be starting that position on 11/29. Therefore, I only have these last 5 night shifts at my current place of employment. I have to be honest. I have no desire to work nights anymore. None. Zero. My manager screwed me over too. I asked over 6 months ago to go to day shift; she told me if there were any day shift positions available, she would let me know. However, she proceeded to offer the day shift openings to new grad RNs and travelers and I've just had enough. I know in my heart I should finish out these last five shifts and leave on good terms, but I really just don't want to work nights anymore. It's too hard on my body and it's really affecting my mental health (I've been full time on night shift now for a year and a half). I'm getting paid this week and cashed out PTO hours on this check so I have extra money on this check, and therefore I would have enough money to get me through until my travel RN position starts paying me. I want honest advice, what should I do? I want to finish out my last remaining shifts, but it's just so hard because I hate night shift and I'm so tired of flipping my sleep schedule back and forth

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    • Featured Replies

    I completely understand.  However, I think you should finish your scheduled shifts, and leave on good terms.  

    Best wishes. 

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    This is the job you have now. I'm sorry that things didn't work out better for you with the manager, but it's unprofessional to leave without finishing your shifts. Your coworkers on a unit that is likely already short staffed will be most impacted, not the manager that you appear to have a problem with. It's five days, you can get through it and then move on. 

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    Personal opinion: I think upcoming plans for a better future can afford one the grace and emotional fortitude (if we so choose) to leave without being like that which we despise. And that's how I would want to leave a place if I had a reasonable degree of choice. Leave the poor judgment to your soon-to-be-former manager.

    Good luck with your new endeavor!

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    It's only five more shifts. You will need this employer in the future for references.

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    • Experts

    So, just to be clear. Your manager screwed you over and your response is to consider screwing over your co-workers? While I get how much night shift sucks I'm pretty sure that's not the way to approach the situation. You might also want to consider that if the travel company gets wind of it they can and may cancel your contract. 

     

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    Please just work those scheduled shifts. Your coworkers don't deserve to be screwed over cause you are burnt out.  You have an exit plan. And you may need references. Calling out will hurt your chances for a glowing reference. And your coworkers deserve better.

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    The right thing to do is to work those shifts you've already got scheduled.  You aren't screwing over your manager if you don't -- do you honestly think she's going to get out of her cozy recliner and haul herself into work to cover your shifts?  You're screwing over your co-workers.  You don't want to burn that bridge.  One of those co-workers you'd be screwing over next week might be the hiring manager at the next place you'd really like to work.  Or your clinical instructor when you finally go to CRNA or NP school.  Or, in my ex-husband's case, your kid's boss.  

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    The patients that you agreed to take care of are the ones ultimately that will suffer. Please do your shifts and then treat yourself to something with the extra money..More importantly, you will proud of yourself for finishing your obligations with your integrity intact! 

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