New nurse nights are days

[Rnshar]

Working as a new nurse for about a month now and currently working nights. I got offered to move to days and really confused what to do. I love nights and I don't ever really feel tired going in like i normally do during days. I do have two kids and married have worked hard to work out a good schedule to fit my life into theirs when I work. The disadvantage at nights is when I am off like tonight I can't convert myself back to days although during the weeks isn't so bad because my kids are in school so by the time they get home I am up and dinner is cooked. For a new nurse what do you suggest is best.

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

Days are often hard to come by unless your more senior. Ive never hated actually being at work at night, but it was the switching to a normal schedule on my days off that got me. I am also not a morning person. I would way rather work days though so I can keep a normal schedule. After working days for 2 years now, I prefer it even though I HAte waking up early, but nights are too boring, I like the chaos of dayshift. Depends on what you need I guess.

[rnbusmgr]

Try working a 7 on 7 off or 5/2 split. I love nights and work 7 12 hours shifts then am off for 7 days and can adjust back to day schedule pretty easy that way.

[ADDI2011]

I previously worked days for 4 years and was always tired. I now have worked nights for 1 year and just love it. I am no longer tired all the time and I am able to adjust flipping from nights to days. I usually work 6 in a row and have 8 off so it works well for me.

[Lifeofanurse]

New grad unemployed LVN here.

BUT...since I havn't worked yet...I can't base my opinion on fact just what I've heard and seen.

I'm a night owl. Always have been. Being on my clinical site 3 days a week for a year by 6:25am dang near killed me.

I was up for a 6a-2p position a few weeks ago. But it was LTC...very hard on this old body (in early 40's) and the idea of getting up at 4:30 or 5am just made me DREAD...the idea. Ok..I admit the 24:1 ratio freaked me out too...but had I been offered the 10p-6a I would have jumped on it.

I would have been able to get home in time to get my kids up and to school. Sleep ...then pick them up...get dinner going and catch another short nap later if I wanted/needed. Put them to bed...and head off to work.

Maybe it's not that simple..but that's what I'm looking for now...a nights 10-6.

I originally thought 12's would be better...on 3 off 4 but I'm not sure if the 7p-7a would work as well with my kids school schedule and bedtime schedule.

I wouldn't change just because you know days are coveted by so many nurses. My previous instructor was absolutely floored when I told her that I didn't want the 6-2..lol.

But she doesn't live my life or know how my body works best...and nights are for me! :)