Is dream job worth nights?

[TXcatcher]

I interviewed for my dream job yesterday in a pediatric CVICU, and I have an upcoming interview for SICU. I've been working med-surg for 2.5 years. I worked nights during my first year, and had to change positions because nights were interfering with my life too much. I was depressed, had sleep problems, and was completely isolated from friends and family. I've been looking to move to ICU ever since I became a nurse. Both of the opportunities I'm interviewing for are night shift. On the job postings, one did not have a shift mentioned, and the other said "days."

My previous night shift experience was on a matrix schedule, so I only ever had two days off at any time. There wasn't a way to adapt to a different sleep schedule to have a life outside of sleeping. The CVICU job is self-scheduling, but I'm not sure what the reality will be. I don't yet know much about the SICU (interview next week).

I'm so excited to start a critical care job (pending I get an offer), but I'm so worried about working nights. I've done it, and it didn't work out for me. I don't want to trap myself in that situation. I'm in my 30s, and rarely stay up past 11pm. I'm usually awake by 7am on my days off. I have terrible noise issues, and sleep with earplugs while alone at night just because my fan ticks. I can't imagine trying to sleep when it's okay to play loud music. I am just not sure I can handle a night shift job, but I don't want to be stuck on the floor for the rest of my life just because no one ever hires for days.

[caliotter3]

I was going to advise taking the night shift position and work toward a transfer to day shift but after reading of your problems in your last paragraph, think it might be wise to forego a night shift job. Most likely too much to overcome no matter how motivated.

BTW, I have a neighbor who goes out of their way to make my life a living hell with their use of noise. I can't imagine having your sensitivity to even a fan. You won't find much sympathy from anyone about needing to sleep during the daytime. Most don't care if one can sleep at night!

[Nonyvole, BSN, RN]

Since you had such a hard time with previous night shifts, I'd say that while it's your dream job to be in an ICU, it's not worth your own mental and physical health. Also, while the CVICU may be self-scheduling, you'd be the low man on the totem pole. I can't see you getting your ideal schedule.

I elected to go with my dream job and work nights. I know that it's taking a toll on my body, and that it means that I don't get to spend as much time with my husband as either of us would wish. However, I also know that I'm better at working nights, because it is amazingly hard for me to wake up early enough for a day shift. Plus, my unit self-schedules, so people tend to simply clump their shifts together so that we have more than two days off at a time. And we've fallen into a bit of a rut because there are so few of us that it's just easier to keep the same schedule!

Something that you can ask during your SICU interview is how often night shift nurses are able to switch to days, and if there is any seniority involved.

Good luck

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

What are the hours you will be working with the CVICU job? IMO, the two days off thing would throw anyone into a loop. I can't imagine doing that - you'd never really get to live among the daywalkers! I work two nights a week.. and I work them together. I have a pretty good grasp on it, and the key is just routine. I think if you had a decent schedule, you could do it. But if you really have that much of an issue, you may have to hold out of that day shift job.

[TXcatcher]

It would be three nights a week, and four weekend shifts over a four week period. I would hopefully be able to cluster them. I just worry about getting any sleep at all ever. I'm pretty set in my day person lifestyle. My current job is okay, but I just don't make enough money. My hospital brought me on below my market value, and won't be giving out any raises for almost two years from when I started. I am currently struggling to pay all my bills, so staying isn't really an option unless my boss is able to get HR to give me a raise.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

It would be three nights a week, and four weekend shifts over a four week period. I would hopefully be able to cluster them. I just worry about getting any sleep at all ever. I'm pretty set in my day person lifestyle. My current job is okay, but I just don't make enough money. My hospital brought me on below my market value, and won't be giving out any raises for almost two years from when I started. I am currently struggling to pay all my bills, so staying isn't really an option unless my boss is able to get HR to give me a raise.

You're going to have a great deal of difficulty moving to an ICU job without working nights. No one can make this decision for you -- except perhaps your spouse if you have one. If you're dead set against working nights, set your sights on working somewhere that nights aren't an issue.