Should I switch jobs?

[newnurse085]

So I've been working on a busy mother baby floor for almost 3 months, full time night shift. Mother baby was all I ever wanted during nursing school. I finally got it, and I am conflicted. My body isn't adjusting to nights. I feel like crap all the time. I have three little ones, and I am always stressed about getting a nap before work and most of the time it doesn't happen. My baby still wakes up a lot during the night and it's hard on my husband because he works a full time Mon-Fri gig, 10 hour days in an office. We feel like we're barely keeping our heads above water. I am on the waiting list for days, not sure how long it will take. There is apparently a nasty clique of nurses on day shift and I've heard they don't make it very pleasant, but whatever.

I have been offered a part time day shift position (2 12s a week) on a busy med surg unit. Should I take it? I don't relish the thought of going back to med surg but I'm not sure how much longer I can handle nights and I need to do what's best for my family. Is it worth it to go back to the land of c diff, dementia, etc.? I'm not sure. Help!

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

Have you considered all the day shift factors: child care, appointments, not getting off at 7pm as planned? If those issues are not a problem, I'd definitely accept the position if it meant more family time together.

If I had a reason to come home, I would have kept the higher paying acute care position. But since my family is all grown and gone, there's no way I'd do med-surg regularly without the moral support at home to help deal with that crap; one or two days per week (more like one instead of two) was my limit and when I didn't want to go in, I didn't (Go Float Pool)!

But, I have 31 years next month under my belt. So I digress, as I just left the bedside a little over a month and a half ago.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

2 12's seem do-able under almost any circumstances. If day shift suits you, I say go for it.