New job on 3rd shift. Struggling. Need tips

Nurses General Nursing

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I took a new job in a specialty I've always wanted. I've been working day shift in Adult ICU for years and just switched to NICU. I love the babies and am exciting to be there but 3rd shift is kicking my tail. I have a toddler who I feel like I never see when I work multiple days in a row. We have to work every other weekend which consists of Friday, Sat, Sun night. Those weekends I never see him. I just cried and cried when I woke up this afternoon because he was at his Papas and I know I won't see him until tomorrow.

I have a 45 minute commute and the drive home is soo hard. I try to sing, roll my windows down, chew gum, dance. It is brutal. I take 5mg ambien to sleep but still wake up every hour or so until about 1:30. I have black out curtains and a fan.

I have been on 3rd a month. Does it get easier? I have a constant headache. I have got to pull myself together here. Ugh talk about a whine fest

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
So I found out today that I may be able to go back to my ICU dayshift position. I don’t want to be that flake that only lasts a few months at the new job. But I don’t know if 3rd shift is going to work for me either. Apparently my hospital has a policy that says if you transfer and it doesn’t work out you can go back to your old position as long as it has been less than 6 months. Man what do I do?

Only you can decide what is right for you. However, being that the NICU is my dream job, I may be bias when I say that I would stick it out and maybe try to get onto day shift asap.

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Specializes in NICU.

Well dayshift asap isn’t really an option. There are only like 15 staff total. The ones on days have been there for many moons with no plans to leave......

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
Well dayshift asap isn’t really an option. There are only like 15 staff total. The ones on days have been there for many moons with no plans to leave......

How much do you like working with the babies? Did you like your other job more?

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Specializes in NICU.

As of right now I have decided to stay where I am in the NICU on nights. I have been doing better. I think I was really really sleep deprived and it was making me emotional and down. I’m feeling better. Still not sleeping great. I think I’m going to try ear plugs. Drinking water has helped tons with the headaches. I was dehydrated. Thanks for all the support and kind words.

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Specializes in CVICU.

If you were working 12hr days before I don't understand how you were seeing your son any more. I work a 12 day/night rotation and when I am on days I see my kids a lot less. Leave the house before they are up, and when I get home they are done with the day and getting ready for bed. Not to mention not having a meal at home all of those days. At least on nights I see the kids when they get home from school and have a family dinner most of the time.

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Specializes in NICU.

Well when I do the weekend he goes to his Grandparent’s house Sunday. So I leave for work Saturday afternoon and don’t see him until I wake up Monday afternoon. And My son sleeps with me so I guess I feel like even though we are asleep we are still together

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