Heavily considering change to Day shift

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

2 weeks vacation. Ah what a beauty it has been. I visited an old friend in another side of the country and have been sleeping at night like normal person would. I slept about 6 to 8 hours without waking up! I feel more energetic, more eager to workout, not as annoyed and feel better in general. I have not had sleeping problems since the vacation and sleeping at night like normal person would, and it feels fantastic!

I have been a night nurse my whole career and I never really adjusted to it. The money is certainly better at night but at what cost? The staffing is better during the day, nurses have more ancillary support, although administrators tend to lurk around during the day as well. Even with some of cons, I am seriously thinking of switching to day shift. Anyone here who had to make the switch? Love it? Regret it? Better? Worse? Share it with me

[ArmaniX, MSN, APRN]

I am in the same boat as you. I am going to ask to be moved to day shift this week. I was recently hired and there exists staff deficits on both shifts. Hoping I get the OK.

[pugmom79]

I would never go back to days. Hated every minute of it.

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

I would never go back to days. Hated every minute of it.

@pugmom what did you hate about day shift? I really like the bonding of night shift and plus of not worrying about management and petty little things, but I have miserable time sleeping during day. what did you hate about days?

[foragreatergood]

I worked night shift for about 2 yrs. I took a few weeks off as you did. I didn't realize how crappy I felt until I started sleeping 7-8 hrs every night. As soon as I went back to work I requested a move to days - and was fortunate enough to get it. I went from 7p-7a to 7a-7p. Best thing I ever did. Yes - I lost the night shift differential, and day shift staff is more uptight than nights, its also much busier, for the most part, during the day.

But I regained my life back. I felt like when I worked nights I always had a headache ( but didn't realize it). It took that taste of normalcy to make me realize I was miserable.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I don't think "night shift" or "day shift" has such a strict definition of how the employees work together.

It is totally random how people come together. Personality, work ethic, team players, etc.

I worked nights occasionally but hated it only because of the lack of a good sound sleep. And missing out on my kids and husband. I will say that the night shift had great meals and even bbq-d at night out by the ambulance bay. (Rural hospital).

Personally, I don't care about shift differential either.

[pugmom79]

Days were so chaotic that I always felt I was struggling to get through tasks and not able to see the big picture. I just hated it and felt like a bad nurse. It's not that there isn't teamwork, but I have found nights more team oriented than the day shift when I had done both. I think it's simply for the reason above. You are too busy drowning under tasks, phone ringing off hook, families generally around more in days.

I take Benadryl or unisom or zzzzquil to sleep better during the day, and even to help me sleep on a day off to kind of switch more back to a days sched to match my hubby when I'm off.

[rearviewmirror, BSN, RN]

@foragreatergood: I know! you feel so much better, energetic and just vibrant with life and sanity when you actually get to sleep like normal people:sleep: and live in the same rhythm as rest of the world. I knew it all along that night shift was killing me but didn't want to forfeit the $4/hr diff, but I'm at point where money shouldn't really matter at this point; plus the day shifters have tone more nursing support than we do at nights (although I personally think night shifters are "cooler" because we don't have to tighten up for so-so stuff as much hehe)

@spidey: I agree. I don't think night shift has better teamwork compared to day shift or something, but I do find that we tend to be more laid back and chill thanks to the absence of managers, administrators, educators, etc etc. Night shifters are... what is it... just more raw if you know what I mean hahaha. I definitely don't look forward to working while seeing these good-for-nothing admin people (I know I hate them, what can I say... sigh), but I realized that a good night sleep and being in tune with rest of the world is worth it for the hassle.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I think you are right in some ways about night shift.

Days does have more help (ward clerk, more CNA's, lab techs). But you are right - more admin/families/etc.

I think you should choose whatever brings you peace.

[EmergencyRN22]

Do what's best for YOU. If you feel better and work better during days, perhaps it's time for a change.

There are pros and cons to each shift. There's no perfect answer.

[EmergencyRNBSN]

Everything that people worry about when switching from nights to days typically is not true. For instance I rarely see my manager, I rarely see hospital administration, etc. I made the switch just fine and so do lots of others. The one thing that I noticed, and it still can drive me crazy some days is the difference in personality you will notice in your coworkers.

Yes, day shifters (I am one now, admittedly) teamwork is terrible on days, and we are usually stressed beyond belief about things that on nights I found myself just shrugging my shoulders over and thinking "we'll get it done, somehow". I miss my staff on nights horribly. I want to take everyone working nights and put them on days with me. That would be the best case scenario lol.

[ParalyticAgent]

I was miserable on night shift until I made my sleep during the day my #1 priority. My phone is off, my doorbell has been disconnected, my bedroom is outfitted with blackout shades and a loud fan.

I keep a later schedule on my days off (bed at around 3am), so that the transition isn't so difficult.

I love my night shift family and the way we make it through any struggle. I love them even more now that I'm well rested.