Should I switch to days even though it is harder as a new nurse or stay at nights where it’s short staffed?

[Yadiya]

Hey, guys so this is my dilemma. 

I got a job in a medsurg unit on nights. I’ve been training there for a couple of months and will be on my own soon. I like my coworkers but we are always short staffed (6-8 patients) and the night schedule is taking a toll on my health and relationship. I went to my manager and asked if I could do days. He immediately said yes and I’ll start next schedule. 

When I went to tell my coworkers at night, they all made it seem like I am making a huge mistake. See, during the days, they have 3-5 patients, and 6 on a rare occasion. However, it is much more fast paced than nights. My coworkers have told me days is harder and new nurses don’t make it on days in that floor. All nurses that are working days have years of experience. The nurses on days also tend to not help out because they got their own stuff to do. Everyone is making it seem like my particular unit is the hardest unit on earth and I will drown. I personally think they’re exaggerating because most medsurg units are about the same. Super fast paced and no time to think. So if I’m going to do days anywhere, I may have the same experience. 

Am I making a mistake by going to days?

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Is the day shift adequately staffed?  If not, would you rather work with short staffing on days or nights? 

[Yadiya]

On 12/7/2020 at 7:13 AM, RNperdiem said:

If days will help your physical and mental health, and your manager is willing to let you try, take the opportunity.

People underestimate how busy nights can get with the sundowning patients, extra patients and all the tasks that day shift never got around to. Days vary in intensity.

If you try days for a few weeks, and are miserable, you can thank your manager for the opportunity to try days, and ask to be scheduled back to nights for the next schedule. If they are short-staffed on nights, you can go back.

Thank you ? 

On 12/7/2020 at 9:59 AM, subee said:

Is the day shift adequately staffed?  If not, would you rather work with short staffing on days or nights? 

Day shift is overstaffed (I know! Crazy) while night shift is super understaffed. Too many of our staff are getting burnt out from it

[NurseBlaq]

I say ask your supervisor for days during one schedule cycle and see for yourself. If you feel it's something you can do, stick with it. If not, request to go back on nights. However, communicate to your supervisor you would like to try days on a probationary measure to see if it will work out for you. Don't throw the night shift under the bus, especially if you may need to switch back in case days aren't working. Also, if you go back to nights, don't trash the day shift. Basically, try it out and see for yourself but remain neutral in the shift wars.

[Yadiya]

2 hours ago, NurseBlaq said:

I say ask your supervisor for days during one schedule cycle and see for yourself. If you feel it's something you can do, stick with it. If not, request to go back on nights. However, communicate to your supervisor you would like to try days on a probationary measure to see if it will work out for you. Don't throw the night shift under the bus, especially if you may need to switch back in case days aren't working. Also, if you go back to nights, don't trash the day shift. Basically, try it out and see for yourself but remain neutral in the shift wars.

I would never. My night shift crew is amazing ❤️ I am on my 2nd day of day shift and I love it so far

[NurseBlaq]

Good luck to you!

[BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN]

I don't think it's a mistake. I have trained many new grads on the day shift. It is way busier than nights, and will also be short staffed, but if you are struggling with nights, it's OK to switch and see how it goes. Try part time to start and ask other nurses about time management tips.

Good luck!

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

I eventually chose day shift over nights because I was getting tired of the short staffing. I also couldn't sleep well during the day either. It was an adjustment but eventually I found a routine that worked. Was every shift a nightmare? No. I had plenty of shifts that went well and weren't crazy. Ask your manager if you can try days before making a final decision. 

[Lynda Ravosa]

I started out as a new grad on dayshift on med surg floor and did just fine! It's a whole different world from nights but I think you are exposed to learning alot more. I also worked nights after and really enjoyed the more quiet not having administration and 5 million people around all the time too, but after a few years I couldn't deal with that *** backwards sleep schedule anymore, I always felt drained and tired so I switched back to days.  Good luck whichever you choose!