Published
Between my prior position as a lab tech and my first few years as a nurse, I worked night shift for 12 years. I thought I had always handled the night hours well both physically and emotionally. I did, however, spend much of the first day off asleep - or just stay awake for over 24 hours and go to bed at night. I really, REALLY dreaded the loss of shift differential upon going to days. It was a significant amount, when you thought of it as a yearly sum. So I timed my change just as we got a raise. It didn't "hurt" as bad that way. Having a more "normal" life and circadian rhythm has made a tremendous difference. It's affected everything about me - social, physical, and emotional aspects, positively. And unless you have already "capped out" and are at your top wage for your position, you will eventually regain that loss of shift differential.
kyboyrn
96 Posts
Hey guys. Hope everybody is doing great. I have been on night shift for 3 years, and recently received a position on day shift. I dread the pay cut, but other than than, I'm looking forward to having somewhat of a more normal life. For those that have changed, do you really feel as much better as I've heard? I'm really looking forward to the change, and I think that I'll feel so much better not sleeping all the time on my days off. Anyway, just wondering what you guys thought. Have a great day.