How many of you transferred from one area of nursing to another b/c you couldn't deal with night shift? I transferred from the OR to CCU, and did well in the unit, but as soon as I went to night shift, I've been physically sick.
I don't think it's something that's going to get better with time, and I decided to go to my manager and recruitment and see what can be done now. The only problem is at my hospital nurses are supposed to stay in an area for 6 months before transferring, and I've only been in CCU for barely 3 months. They may allow me to transfer before that time, since it is not a preference issue but a health issue, and I'll find out next week.
I hate feeling like such a wimp. But I've always been an early morning person. I was uneasy about doing night shift, but never tried it before, so I didn't know how bad it would be physically on me. I've worked 11a-11p and that was fine, but it's still totally different from 7p's.
Thanks for the replies! TraumaRUs, thanks for the tips and yes, I've been doing everything you suggested. I guess I'm just not a night person, and some people never do adjust -- I'm one of them. I've already gone to my manager, who at this time cannot do anything to help, because there is a "wait list" of people on nights who want to come to days, and he has to go by senority. Which I totally understand. He is going to try and open up an
11a-11p shift, but again, he will have to offer it to the more senior staff first, and I know other nurses on nights who will jump on it. So my getting the 11a is a slim-to-none possibility.
I'm going to stop by recruitment again on Monday or Tuesday and see what's happening with HR approving my transfer before the 6-mos time commitment. I would think since it's not a "preference" issue (i.e. I'm not wanting day shift so I can go party or date at night) and I'm physically sick, they would agree to my transfer. If they refuse, I'll just transfer in 3 months anyway when I am technically allowed to move, so why not let me go now. The politics drives me crazy. I'm 44 years old, and I'm in (at least was) in great health, but I'm also not willing to be miserable and sick.
As always, thanks for the support!
i have the same problem only opposite - i cannot days - with my sleep apnea i rarely get to bed before 2 or 3 am and to get up for days would be unable- its driving me crazy as there is a place i wish to work however they require 4 weeks days and its an hour rive there so id be needing to wake before i go to sleep just about lo. everyone schedule is different - however it is easier to get PMs or nights as more want days lol. praying y get what you need.
I think you are taking the OP's post a tad personally. It's a free market economy, even for nurses. If hospitals cannot retain night workers, they have to make it more attractive for nurses to stay.
i think though i might be disappointed - i could get over and understand them bypassing me or others to give someone a shift that medically need it - the ones that really tick me off - and i have seen it happen oftener than i care to - is new grads coming in and saying i will only work days and they give it to them just to get them there - ( usually they mess with em and then stick em on another shift and they leave anyhow ) but it was just because we were short they gave the newcomers their way - that just ain't right - when i started out it went by seniority -0 whatever happened since then i dont know cause i dont see seniority around here much at all.
or work per diem if you can afford it ( like hubby has insurance etc) - that is what helpoed me cause i can pick my shifts and can work around my health issues and family problems. has worked well for me.
if the facility is willing then go for the note - my sis in law - though not a nurse - needs her job - she is only in her mid 30's , single parent who nees the insurance- her job rotates ALL 3 shifts!! the doc said no more - she has to have 1 shift for her heart condition to stablize ( she recetly had to have apacemaker implanted ) and her work said she had to stay on rotating or leave - well single mom with no ins wouldnt be good so she has no choice but to stay - we worry every day wil this be the day we get called that she collapsed at work again. sigh - tough situation when health needs cant be met by our jobs.
however unfair it may seem - if there are valid medical reasons - its either allow that person to go ahead of you or take the risk of loosing that person and being stuck short even more- when i was unable to change off days to Pm's or nights or 12s at my second job - dont even recall WHY i got stuck on days - its a rarity back then a newer nurse got days - oh i recall - i was off with premature labor stuck on the couch for 3 months - fml ensures your job but not your same shift schedule etc i guess - and when i came back they had to give me it as it was the only position open and no one wanted it lol) anyhow- i took off and became a stay at home mom for 3 yrs- when i went back - they were more than happy to accommodate me for fear id quit again.
twotrees2
913 Posts
i have the same problem only opposite - i cannot days - with my sleep apnea i rarely get to bed before 2 or 3 am and to get up for days would be unable- its driving me crazy as there is a place i wish to work however they require 4 weeks days and its an hour rive there so id be needing to wake before i go to sleep just about lo. everyone schedule is different - however it is easier to get PMs or nights as more want days lol. praying y get what you need.