Nursing Career Change Pros/Cons

HealthyRN · Sep 10, 2005

I can understand why you might be stressed out! Those hours seem insane- everyone needs a break once in awhile! I can give you some tips for adjusting to a night shift. First of all, keep a regular schedule. This means getting up and going to bed at the same time everyday, even on days off, if you have any. When you are coming home in the morning, avoid sunlight as much as possible by wearing sunglasses and keeping rooms as dark as possible. When you do get home, eat a small snack and do something relaxing. Try reading or taking a relaxing bath. Avoid eating huge meals, exercising, watching TV, or anything else stimulating. Go to sleep in a darkened room and try to eliminate any outside influences that may wake you up. Turn off the phone and keep pets in a different room. You may want to try a white noise machine or turn on a fan. Try to sleep for at least 6-8 hours, but don't force it. Don't just lie in bed if you can't get to sleep. Instead, get up and try reading until you feel sleepy again and then go back to bed. Try to avoid taking naps during your "day".

It seems like this job is really wearing on you. Lack of sleep can have serious consequences and not all people are able to adjust to a night shift. Do you enjoy your job other than the hours? I would encourage you to speak to your managers about changing shifts if you're not quite ready for a career change.

If you do feel that you are drawn to nursing and you really dislike your work, I believe that nursing is a great profession! However, I am still a nursing student so I can't really say what real-world nursing is like. Nursing is very flexible- there are so many different fields to explore!

Good luck!

Katy

2bnurseguy_2005 · Sep 10, 2005

Thank you so much for your response...Well I work 7 days on and 7 days off. I sit in an office alone. What do you guys suggest I tell my manager? I emailed him this morning and hopefully he wil respsond when he comes back to work on Monday. I am just wore out. I CANNOT sleep during the day whatsoever. I can go to sleep for about 2 hrs max and wake up with an head ache. I just liein the ebd forcing my self to sleep.

I can understand why you might be stressed out! Those hours seem insane- everyone needs a break once in awhile! I can give you some tips for adjusting to a night shift. First of all, keep a regular schedule. This means getting up and going to bed at the same time everyday, even on days off, if you have any. When you are coming home in the morning, avoid sunlight as much as possible by wearing sunglasses and keeping rooms as dark as possible. When you do get home, eat a small snack and do something relaxing. Try reading or taking a relaxing bath. Avoid eating huge meals, exercising, watching TV, or anything else stimulating. Go to sleep in a darkened room and try to eliminate any outside influences that may wake you up. Turn off the phone and keep pets in a different room. You may want to try a white noise machine or turn on a fan. Try to sleep for at least 6-8 hours, but don't force it. Don't just lie in bed if you can't get to sleep. Instead, get up and try reading until you feel sleepy again and then go back to bed. Try to avoid taking naps during your "day".
It seems like this job is really wearing on you. Lack of sleep can have serious consequences and not all people are able to adjust to a night shift. Do you enjoy your job other than the hours? I would encourage you to speak to your managers about changing shifts if you're not quite ready for a career change.
If you do feel that you are drawn to nursing and you really dislike your work, I believe that nursing is a great profession! However, I am still a nursing student so I can't really say what real-world nursing is like. Nursing is very flexible- there are so many different fields to explore!
Good luck!
Katy