Should I leave a nice unit for a day shift job?

[Eeveetee, BSN]

Hi! So here is my situation: I have been on this SICU for about two years (ICU nurse for 4) and have a night shift/rotation requirement. This is a nice unit, I am comfortable with the people and the acuity is interesting enough.

So now I have been offered a full time day shift job on a different SICU in the same health system for the same hourly rate (minus shift dif). 

I know a few nurses/NPs/PAs who work on this other SICU and say the acuity isn't the most interesting. I was not allowed to shadow due to the COVID rules in place but my friends sent a video of the unit to me so I could see it virtually. 

I guess I am just nervous about leaving a job that I like but I am struggling with working nights in my personal life now. I have been rotating or full time nights for 4 years and I'm definitely unhappy with my personal life and health when I am sleeping through the day and chronically tired.

I have no option to be full time day shift at my current job for 8 more years. I know night shift works for some nurses and I used to like it but now I am so conflicted by this decision. 

 

Thanks for any insight or for sharing any experiences. 

 

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Your job is 40 hours / week. Your LIFE is the other 128. 

[amoLucia]

6 hours ago, meanmaryjean said:

Your job is 40 hours / week. Your LIFE is the other 128. 

Great point!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Try out the other job. Chances are if your current unit is rotating shifts, they will burn through people at a decent enough rate that you can go back if you hate the new one.

[fivestar719]

I would take the day shift job. Personally, night shift is so hard on my body - that a day shift job, even if I liked it somewhat less, would be worth it to me. Schedule is hugely important to me!