Night shift to day shift

[AmieCooney]

Has anyone ever been hired for night shift, but then worked it and right away knew it wasn’t going to work for you? What did you do? Did you ask your Director about moving to dayshift and did they let you ?

[TheLastUnicorn]

If it were that easy to get a day shift position (almost) everyone would be doing it. Unfortunately, there's already likely a list of people wanting to move to day shift, and all you can do is put your name on the list. Depending on openings, how many others are before you (both on the list and seniority), you may be waiting a while. I'm talking years. Don't forget also, in a hospital setting; all other departments can apply too. The other option is to find another job that is day shift although that will be fairly difficult depending on you're experience. It can happen tho; I've seen new grads hired into day shift positions. They are very rare, however.

[LovingLife123]

Yes. I knew it was too awful for me. I thought nights would work for me, but it turns out it was the worst.

Fortunately, positions opened on dayshift and my manager allowed me to move after a very short period of time.

But I know I was super lucky.

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I have been on night shift three times. The longest I have lasted was a little over three years. (I have switched jobs just so I could move to days.) I am now back on nights and yes, they are just generally bad for some. I think every time I take a night shift, I tell myself that it won't be bad. And then, when I realize I can't seem to adjust, I wonder why I did this to myself! I don't know how some nurses adjust while others don't. I will be the first to admit that my concentration and skills are just not nearly as good on nights as days. I have tried to adjust sleep habits and just cannot seem to adjust the way I need to. It really depends on what department you are in on how fast you can move up. The larger departments with higher turnovers may be a matter of months before you move up, while the smaller departments with less turnover may be years.

[Serhilda, ADN, RN]

If there are openings, it's generally not an issue. Sometimes they require you to stay on your current shift until your position can be filled but it depends. Just ask and go from there. I did it, had no issue at all, and so have plenty of other people.