Rotating shift advice?

sparkyRN · May 2, 2005

What will your rotation be like...week of days, week of nights; 2 weeks days, 2 nights: month of days, month of nights? Is it split evenly or will you be doing more of one shift than another?

PMHNP10 · May 2, 2005

I am a new grad RN who will be working 12 hour rotating day/night shifts when I start my new job in a few weeks. Does anyone have advice on how to adjust to switching back and forth between days and nights??

First and foremost, my advice is to avoid doing this as quickly as possible. It is the worst thing on your body to switch like that from days to night.

Since you have agreed to do this type of schedule, IMHO, the best way to do it is: When you go from nights to days, I'd recommend staying up as late as possible after your last night then going to bed in the evening and sleeping until the morning you go to work. When going from days to nights, you'll have to just stay up all night and go to bed some time in the am.

CRNAsoon · May 2, 2005

I am a new grad RN who will be working 12 hour rotating day/night shifts when I start my new job in a few weeks. Does anyone have advice on how to adjust to switching back and forth between days and nights??

I would also recommend not doing this if at all possible. Last year, as a new grad, I also took on this type of schedule and it was a nightmare. I was fatigued and irritable every single day. At home I was the insomniac and at work I was sleepy. It was extremely grueling and I had to beg and plead for over three months to get out of it. Finally, I had my fill and threatened to walk out the door on the spot, and suddenly they were willing to work with me. Within a week I had a new schedule and I'm now a much happier worker bee. Makes a huge difference!

zambezi, BSN, RN · May 2, 2005

I actually just applied for a position like this. I think that it will be easier for me than my current all night shift schedule, less flipping back and forth. I currently work two nights on, two off, four nights on then six off. I am trying to work my two nights on during days and keeping my four nights on the night shift over the weekend...just a little less flipping back and forth...I work with such a fun crew that it is hard for me to totally cut the cord and go to days...especially since I like the night shift pace...

That said...I think that if you have a good schedule that you can stick with thats works for your body's needs, then it shouldn't be a problem...(though as others have said flipping back and forth/nights compared to straight days does have an effect on your body...)

mdslabod · May 2, 2005

I am a new grad RN who will be working 12 hour rotating day/night shifts when I start my new job in a few weeks. Does anyone have advice on how to adjust to switching back and forth between days and nights??

My advice, Don't do it unless it is four weeks at a time and you can get a few days off to readjust.

There are plenty of permenant shift jobs around. I'd keep looking or get on an off shift and stay there for a while.