Changing Shifts (Eves to Nights)

[naptimeRN]

Hello all! I have been working for about 9 months in a hospital as an RN, floating between Med/Surg and Tele. I started as PRN days, then went to part-time eves (3-11). I HATED days (Not a morning person, stayed up all night worried I'd sleep through my alarm, etc). 3-11 is not bad in terms of the time. I am married with no children. My husband works 830-5p. I find however, I can not get into a routine of going to sleep soon after getting home and stay up until 3am or so, and then sleep until around noon, then go to work at 230p. Waste of time, but at least it's only 3 times a week.

My biggest issue with 3-11p is that we are ALWAYS short. At one point we had adequate staffing and within a month, we were short again with people leaving, bidding on new jobs, etc. We hired 2 full time evening nurses who quit after a few weeks of being on their own (They found having 8-11 patients on evening shift to be inhumane...can't say I disagree..). They have not been replaced and it's been a couple of months. Now, there are 3 more nurses leaving eves for different jobs within the hospital. Supposedly, they have hired a couple new people, but after the last attempt where they quit after being trained, I have my doubts.

3 to 11 is VERY busy. Tons of admits, families, doctors, the med passes literally go on all evening, etc. Having so many patients because we are chronically understaffed is making me very irritated and every time I go in, people are negative talking about wanting to leave. A part time night position opened because the nurse took a 12 hour night spot (There are limited 12 hour spots...don't ask me why lol). My question is, has anyone ever switched from 3-11 to 11p-7a? I've picked up nights and felt it was a lot less insane, but maybe it was just the nights? (But even having 11 on nights felt better than having 9 on eves). Are 8 hour nights really that bad? Again, I am lucky enough to only have to work part time, but I don't want to make the wrong decision. What do you prefer, 8 hour evenings or nights? Just looking for opinions and personal takes on the matter. Thanks :)

[Tobygo2]

I have done both and while you feel like you've wasted your whole day before working evenings it was much better on my sleep/wake cycle. Nights didn't have as much stress and busy work of admits/discharges however it killed me personally.

[naptimeRN]

Thanks for the reply! Were you full or part time? I feel like my sleep schedule is already messed up seeing how I can't get to sleep after my 3-11 shift until around 3am at the earliest. I also only eat one meal a day, so that shouldn't really change much. (I am the definition of healthy! NOT hahaha) :)

[Tobygo2]

I was 28hrs so three to four nights a week. I also was up until at least 2am watching television :) Plus my only "real" meal was dinner... Healthy RN here too lol

[amygarside]

as long as your body clock adapts.. you'll be fine

[Biffbradford]

Nights suck. Period. However, 8 hour nights are very manageable, 12 hour nights are a marathon. If you work -only- and 8 hour night shift, and they're short on days, then you might be on the hook to be mandated to stay over 4 more hours, and that REALLY sucks!