your job vs your personal life

TazziRN, RN · Nov 23, 2006

Oooh, toughy. I was a night person for many years and gave it up because I acquired a family but it was the right decision for me. And if you don't have a buddy it makes it harder on you if you want time off for anything.

I know I'm no help, sorry.

BTW, welcome to our group!!!

augigi, CNS · Nov 23, 2006

I found evenings impinged on a "normal life" more than nights, but that's just my preference. If you think it will help you out, give it a try!

Bibagirl · Nov 23, 2006

thank you for the advice and warm welcome!

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Nov 24, 2006

Nancy,....I'm w/you here,...I have been on 12hr noc (7p-7a) for about 7 years,...you are right, when you are working all you do is work and sleep,...I agree too,..night shift is more team oriented,.you are more independent as far as using your nursing judgement, there are physically less people around,..night shift is just a different group of people in every dept from nursing to lab to radiology,.I like the night group,...but what about a real life!! You never really "get used to it",.the rest of the world won't let you! I'm not sure if it is as much the night shift as it is working 12hr shifts??? My sister in law is an RN at the same hospital I work at,..just two weeks ago she transfered from nights to days (7a-7p),..(she has a husband and two small children at home),..she misses the people at night,.she hates getting up so early in the morning and is still having a bit of trouble re learning to sleep at night,..the pluse?? she and her husband both say that the quality of her days off is better,..she doesn't have to sleep all day and miss out on family time and my brother (her husband) says she has a much better "attitude" :nuke: Let me know what you decide and how it works for you!!

DaFreak71 · Nov 24, 2006

I was wondering what to do in this situation, and I figured people who are in my situation could help! I'll try to keep this short!
I am an experienced RN, 20 years, mostly OR experience, but now in CTICU for the past year while trying to get into CRNA school. I'll find out by Xmas whether or not I'm accepted.
I'm working nights for the past 6 months, and I know nights are not for me.
My life has become work, not much else, work and sleep. (No children)
An evening position was created in my dept. to "fill in the holes" of the
schedule. Most nurses work 12 hrs, 7-7's. I would work 3-11 or 11-11, basically to fill in the holes of the schedule. I wouldn't have a buddy I work opposite, if you know what I mean. After 3 pm, our dept falls apart in a sense. There's no secretary, so we're answering the phones, dealing with family, and on alot if the days, your assignment, the heart patient, is following you down the hall when you're arriving for duty! Because I'm new to this, it's very stressful. Day shift has their group of nurses and nights has their group and the dynamics are different. Nightshift nurses definately give me more support.
Sorry it's so long, anyway, the question is this: Do I leave night shift for a better home life and to just feel normal again, and take a position that will probably at least double the stress?

Hi Nancy!

If you get accepted to CRNA school, this won't be an issue anymore. I don't know of any CRNA program that permits the students to work during the program. I suspect that if you are accepted; this particluar stressor will leave and get replaced by the stress of being in CRNA school. :chuckle Of course it's easier to get through two years of stress if there's a big carrot at the end of that stick.

Bibagirl · Nov 24, 2006

I think I might just be having growing pains, and am afraid of making a mistake.

I'll become a better nurse if I go for this new position, because no one will help me, it will be sink or swim!

What doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2006

Good luck in whatever you do.

I switched to day shift after many years of working nights to feel better, and because my ex-spouse was on days. It definately is more stressful and busy on day shift, but I do feel better and in the end it was the right thing to do for my body and lifestyle.

allnurses Guide · Nov 24, 2006

My "day" shift is 3 a.m. to 3 p.m., which means I get oob at 1:45 a.m. I shoot for 7 p.m. as a bedtime but rarely make that.

The answer for me was to work part-time. I did try "nights" which is 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. and that did not work at all.

Going to bed at 7 p.m. really infringes on my family life - my oldest sons played football and it was hell trying going to their games, which got over at 10 p.m. or so and then I'd be in bed by maybe 11 and if I could fall asleep maybe get 2 hours of sleep before a 12 hour shift. But I had to choose family over work.

When I had my 4th child, I switched to part-time and it has saved my sanity. Although I still hate going to bed early and getting up so early, I'm home in the afternoon and see my kids after school and eat dinner with my family. And I only do this 4 times in two weeks instead of a full-time and over-time schedule. (I also rarely will do any extra days - my philosophy is that I am not the answer to the hospital's staffing problem and as long as I keep rescuing them, they will not be forced to deal with it).

My goal, as stated previously is to be a stay-at-home mom. But to do that I'd have to win the lottery and I don't play the lottery and so I guess I'm stuck.

I would make the choice to save your sanity and health.

Good luck.

steph