new grad thinking of switching from nights to days

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

You guys may remember me posting a few months back about starting as a new grad on an inpatient psych unit. I love my job, my co-workers and my patients...but not so much my shift. I've always been more of a night owl, so when I was given the choice between days and nights, I took nights. I've been on orientation for 8 weeks now and don't really see much of a challenge on nights. Sure 10P med pass gets a little hairy, but most our admissions come in on day/evening shift, day shift does rounds with the psychiatrists and there's more to do. I stayed over for 4 hours one day last week from 7a-11a because my NM was in a pinch and I realized that I could handle day shift. I had a big fear when I first started that I wouldn't make it on day shift because it's too busy and hectic and I'd make mistakes but now I feel like I'm just playing it too safe and doubting my own capabilities. I think there's an opening on days and I'd like to talk to my NM about how I'm feeling but I'm not quite sure what to say. Can anyone else relate to being a night owl but liking the busyness of day shift?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

If you feel comfortable I'd say go for it. My concern for new grads starting on the day shift is the same as you have mentioned. It is a hectic routine and could be overwhelming for a new grad depending on their skill level. It has been my experience that the competence of new grads can vary dramatically but if I recall correctly and you have worked in psych as a tech I bet you'd be fine. I'm a night owl also and would consider doing 3 days a week but never the (5) 8 hour days. Good luck!

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
If you feel comfortable I'd say go for it. My concern for new grads starting on the day shift is the same as you have mentioned. It is a hectic routine and could be overwhelming for a new grad depending on their skill level. It has been my experience that the competence of new grads can vary dramatically but if I recall correctly and you have worked in psych as a tech I bet you'd be fine. I'm a night owl also and would consider doing 3 days a week but never the (5) 8 hour days. Good luck!

Yes - I was a psych tech for about a year before graduation from NS. Thanks for the support!

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