I have been a nurse on a step down telemetry floor for 4 years and a half. I started at my current hospital as a new grad and learn a lot. My career goal is to work in icu but at my current hospital the chance of transferring are very slim
It's a 300 beds hospital with a small icu with a fluctuating census and the icu nurses get cancelled all the time and have to use their pto in order to get paid.
I just got an offer at one of the best hospital in the state and country. It would be for a unit that takes care of people awaiting heart transplant and I'll be dealing with a lot of icu drips, assisted devices, and swanz catheters. The manager told me that ICU always recruit from this unit.
So you are probably wondering why I am asking for advice :) I will have to start on night shift
I currently work days. I worked nights when I first started and absolutely hated it because no matter how tired I was, I Just couldn't sleep during the day.
The manager told me she can put me on the waiting list for day shift and currently she only has1person on the list.
I know career wise this is a great opportunity, but I'm scared about going back to night shift. I guess I am looking for some reassurance from you guys.
What would you do? Career or quality of life?
Thank you for any opinions and input you want to give me.
As a younger nurse you really need to take every opportunity to advance your career! A lot of folks have to start somewhere on nights because that is the only opening and rotate to a different shift later on.
I worked rotation shifts for years which were somewhat rough in terms of sleeping - I feel that with straight nights at least you adjust to the sleeping schedule.
Get black out curtains or similar, a sleep mask and natural sleeping aids.
I do feel I want to experience something new. I started as a new grad 4years ago at my current hospital and it's all I know.
As I said this is a much better hospital and a floor that is closer to what I really want to do and that will be a stepping stone to cardio thoracic icu.
I know in my heart it's the right decision for my career, I'm just worried because last time I worked night shift I was just miserable all the time. I believe some people have a harder time adjusting to night shift and I am one of them.
This job is also closer to home so I'm hoping the shorter commute will make a difference. And I'm obviously hoping to go to day shift in a year or so.
Go for the new opportunity. Night shift doesn't have to be forever. There are tons of threads on here about how to adjust and sleep well during the day. For me, blackout curtains, and a fan work wonders. If I need to fall asleep at a normal time on my nights off, a little benadryl goes a long way. Some melatonin might do you wonders.
nutella, MSN, RN
1 Article; 1,509 Posts
As a younger nurse you really need to take every opportunity to advance your career! A lot of folks have to start somewhere on nights because that is the only opening and rotate to a different shift later on.
I worked rotation shifts for years which were somewhat rough in terms of sleeping - I feel that with straight nights at least you adjust to the sleeping schedule.
Get black out curtains or similar, a sleep mask and natural sleeping aids.
Good luck!