New grad wanting to switch to day shift

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I am a new grad and have been in orientation for 3 weeks a med/surg floor working nights, 7p-7a. I love the staff and the floor so far, however I am hating the night shift. I really want to switch to days. However I know I should wait for 3 months. I dont know if I am going to make it, I get headaches everyday, I have fallen alseep once driving home (I live 50 mins away from the hospital) but worst of all I cannot sleep on my days off. I find myself falling alseep at 6am. I feel like Im losing it. I feel depressed and Im always tired. The floor recently hired 6 new grads for morning shift and dont know if I'll even be able to get a position. Should I stick it out for 8 months or should I let my nurse manager know in 2 months and pray to god theres an opening? If there isn't should I search for another jobs?:confused::crying2:

whats so funny?

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
New grad wanting to switch to day shift...

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We have actually had many new grads start at days. In fact one just finally got to switch to nights after 4 months which is where she wanted to be. I started my new grad residency classes today and only about 4 said they were on night shifts. I am one and I wanted to be on nights.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
whats so funny?

I think it's because days are thought to be a position that you can only work once you have a lot of time under your belt. New Grads have to start at the "bottom of the barrel" working nights. Although it doesn't seem like that anymore. maybe it's the economy. I make an extra 300 dollars a pay check working nights. Then when I do Friday and Sat. nights it's another 100 on that. On top of that I love nights. So by all means I will be happy to sit at the bottom of the barrel. :p

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

From what I understand, trying to switch back and forth (doing nights on the days you work but trying to be on "days" on your days off) is the kiss of death.

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.
From what I understand, trying to switch back and forth (doing nights on the days you work but trying to be on "days" on your days off) is the kiss of death.

I didn't think so. I worked my 3 in a row then switched to a regular "up during the day" pretty easily for a long time. The key for that is 3 in a row.

I am trying to do that now, and my night shift is not currently 3 in a row. I work a set schedule that is broken up during the week. That is the kiss of death!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I feel your pain. That's how I am about days.,...HATE them. I don't sleep well at night and waking up at 530 am is inhuman. Thankfully I am on permanent nights ;)

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Specializes in LTC Family Practice.
Ah, but let us not forget: "swing is king!" You can get up late AND sleep at night! (I hate both getting up early and staying up all night!)

Yup, this. I Just started my new job this week as a patient sitter, orientation was Mon & Tues early days..ugh, so when I got to talk with the scheduling folks I asked which shift was the toughest to fill and it was 2nd shift and I was :w00t:. The patient sitters are all PRN, no guarenteed hours, we have 4, 8 and 12 hour shift options, so I went online as soon as I got home and signed up for all the 2nd shift weekends through the end of August and of course some during the week. For me and my body this shift works for me.

Decades ago I worked in an inter-city ICU (back when LPN's were in hospitals) and I worked nights for about 8 months and it about killed me.

Everyone is different and it'd be nice if mgmt would get that and still offer a "mid-shift" option.

So anyway, everyone wish me luck this will be the first job I've had in 3+ years, I took a phlebotomy course and couldn't get hired. Tomorrow evening will be my first shift:D and I'm soooo thrilled to be working again, even if it's for pennies...I'm not complaining.

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Specializes in Float Pool-Med-Surg, Telemetry, IMCU.

To DogWmn: Yay, second shift! Rock on! I got all starry-eyed when my new manager told me my preceptor works 11-11 and I'll be on that shift for awhile.

I know there are those who think swing shift messes up your whole day but for me it's perfect- I've done days and nights and it's really a toss-up as to what I hate more- dragging myself out of bed at 5 or trying to sleep through the sunshine. :yawn: Of course, I'm just thrilled to be working, period! I'd work pretty much any shift thrown at me...it's tough out there for new grads!

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Wow...back in the dark ages, new grads were on nights unless they "knew" someone....it was part of the deal of being a new nurse.

I have worked all shifts, and liked nights, and I adjusted to it. I also loved working weekend nights- to know my schedule weeks/months in advance, and there's fewer chiefs around, no scheduled surgeries, and more time to spend with the ones who have trouble sleeping and need a few extra minutes when things aren't as rushed....

I used to stay up on my nights off to not mess up my body's clock. Now, after 7 years on disability, I still stay up most nights :) I hated getting up early for days.

Good thing there are enough options for just about all preferences- and those who want to work them :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Try going thru a nursing agency instead. I work when and where I want, and work the shifts I want. I don't do days anymore - am 2 old to 2 get up at 0500 hours, and loathe day shift. I usually do afternoons and some nights.

Then you can choose your own roster maybe.

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A lot of agencies won't take someone without at LEAST 1-2 years of experience (and rightfully so- not because of anything 'personal', but they have liability issues to deal with)--- but a great option for picking schedules if hired.

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I just wanted to give you guys an update after being on orientation on nights for just a month by the grace of God I am now a day shift nurse! I start friday with a new preceptor. It just goes to show you want can be done when you work for a great hospital and wonderful managers! They were more than happy to take me for day shift position even after they already had 6 new grads on days. I'm going to miss working with the night team members but I really need to get my normal sleep cycle back. If anyone is like me and wishes to switch to another shift I suggest you speak to your managers there no reason to be unhappy and miserable!:yeah:

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