I'm a relatively new grad (less than a year) working the night shift at a large hospital in New York City. My unit is okay, the nurse manager and leadership have been great but there's no support among the nurses on the floor. There's also no one my age which is making it harder.
I'm really struggling and I don't know if it's the night shift or nursing in general. I'm depressed, sick, and unhappy way too much of the time. I'm sleeping okay, but not great (5-6 hours). I feel isolated from my friends and family and I'm sick of missing things with my friends to go to work, only to sit around much of the day alone. Sometimes I feel like I would be much happier in a 9-5 job. No idea when I will be able to get off nights (probably at least a year).
Looking for a little inspiration. Anyone been through the same thing? Is it nursing in general I am frustrated with? Or would things be better off the night shift? I think I might do better in a 730-330 job, no weekends or holidays setup. What jobs should I look for that might have this schedule?
I really would really appreciate any help or advice. I don't know how much longer I can feel like this.
I loved nights for a few reasons. Not as many docs milling around, patients sleeping for the most part, having a little more time with the ones that couldn't sleep, not having to deal with meals, 80 family members, etc. The nurses that I worked with were good and helped me out as a new grad. But.....
I was like you, where I was turning into a different person and I didn't like that person at all. I was short with everyone, never had energy to do ANYTHING on my days off, the house started to look like a dump, I'd cry at the drop of a hat, and if I got "decent" sleep, that meant 4 hours without interruption. I couldn't sleep during the day for crap. And, our unit goes up to 6-7 patients per nurse on nights. For a new grad I think it was really hard. Some handle it well, but those are usually the ones that were used to a night schedule, or much younger than me. :) I signed up for days at the first opportunity and luckily only spent a few months on nights.
rhapsodyRN
85 Posts
I loved nights for a few reasons. Not as many docs milling around, patients sleeping for the most part, having a little more time with the ones that couldn't sleep, not having to deal with meals, 80 family members, etc. The nurses that I worked with were good and helped me out as a new grad. But.....
I was like you, where I was turning into a different person and I didn't like that person at all. I was short with everyone, never had energy to do ANYTHING on my days off, the house started to look like a dump, I'd cry at the drop of a hat, and if I got "decent" sleep, that meant 4 hours without interruption. I couldn't sleep during the day for crap. And, our unit goes up to 6-7 patients per nurse on nights. For a new grad I think it was really hard. Some handle it well, but those are usually the ones that were used to a night schedule, or much younger than me. :) I signed up for days at the first opportunity and luckily only spent a few months on nights.