Starting a new night job

[DG5]

Today I handed in my application to go on night shift. I have been on days for four years and wonder if I have done the right thing! The main motivating factor was that after I come home from my days on, I am flat out wiped. I lock the door to my room and go to sleep right when the kids (and there are five of them) need me really bad - right after school. When I wake up the house is in chaos. I've tried to conserve my energy levels for later but then I find I'm not putting in the best that I want or feel I need at work. SO, night shift sounds like the answer to me. When the kids come home from school, I will be there for them 100%. I would just like to find out what you other night shift RN's feel about your job. Is it worth it???

[nursemary9, BSN, RN]

Hi

It's hard to say. I have worked nites for almost 30 years. However, I have

no children. For the last 10 years--until about 1 yr. ago, I worked Home Care

immediately after leaving my nite job. I did seem to get a burst of energy

as I left the hospital.

It really depends where you work nites--a busy trauma unit or MICU or a quieter atmosphere. I work a Med-Surg/Onc.unit;it's really quite busy all the time,but not as busy an ICU or Trauma unit migght be.

I know lots of Mom'swho work nites & sleep while the kids are in school; that gives them time with the kids after school.

I don't know if this helps or not.

Right now,I go home right after work, but I never go to sleep until about 3 PM.

I have lote of things I do in the house including the cleaning, shopping,etc.

When I worked nites in my younger years,I saw more of my husband when I worked nites then when I worked days. Likeyou,I used to right to lay down!!

Oh well,I hope this helps you

Mary Ann