Should I go from days to nights???

[jes07]

Hi, I am currently looking for a new job closer to where I live because at my current one it takes about an hour commute and I have to deal with rush hour traffic. I am working on day shifts but since I have been looking for jobs that are much closer to home, most are night shifts. I really want to leave soon and ready to start a new area to work in but not sure if I should make the switch from days to nights. Any advice on what to do? Does it take alot of time to adjust working night shifts? Any input will be appreciated, thanks.

[westieluv]

Are you someone who can sleep during the day? Do you think you could drive home safely after being awake all night?

In fields like acute inpatient and LTC, I actually prefer the night shift just because it's normally much more laid back, fewer meds and treatments, patients sleep (I realize they don't all sleep but a lot of them do or try to), and fewer families, doctors, etc. to deal with. However, I am definitely a day person and in the past when I worked nights I could never sleep past around noon, no matter how tired I was or how long of a shift I worked the night before, so nights really just didn't work for me, because our bodies need sleep.

I guess ask yourself those questions and be honest with yourself. If you are someone who can come home in the morning and sleep eight hours during the day, then nights could work for you, but if you are someone who just can't fight the urge to be awake during the day like me, you will end up feeling like a zombie much of the time.