Successful transition from noc shift to day?

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

I've been on night shift for nearly three years. I'm happy-ish but husband has had enough and I'll admit that sleeping all the time is starting to nag on my depression issues. So I basically need to go to days.

I guess I'm mostly worried that I won't be able to handle day shift. I oriented for about 2.5 months on days on my current unit (which I do NOT want to go to days on) -- then switched to nights. I've been on nights otherwise for about 2.5 years.

I guess my biggest worry is that I do nights well. I cluster my cares, am quiet and bat-like (/joke) in my ability to see in the dark, and am conservative when it comes to calling other providers -- etc. I'm mostly worried about making the switch to days and everything involved from family to rounding providers to PT/OT/speech. Things we don't have to deal with on nights, mostly.

Anyone who has switched -- what was your biggest adjustment? Did you ever feel inadequate? Did switching sleeping schedules suck? I need to know!

[MatrixRn]

I worked nights for years and like you was pretty happy doing them. I had adjusted my life and activities to support it. If you switch to days you will need to do the same.

As far as home life I found that was a quick change. It was amazingly fast how family and friends started demanding more time and attention. I mention this because every one that I know who made the switch was caught of guard and stressed by this. Yes it is great to do activities again but be a little guarded with your time as you will need to save energy to learn your new role.

And yes it is a new role for all the reasons you site in your post. It won't be like starting completely over but yes you will need to learn the day culture. What is the flow? Who is the go to person? What are the politics?

The RT, RD etc support is not the same on days. On nights I spent a lot more time with ancillary staff. During the day you may not even see RT or lab etc they may come service your patient and leave. They are busy. If they need to take them for a test...they will. They will try to let you know, but may not have time.

I see you like quiet, I did as well...going to days you will have to give that up. Days is anything but quiet. People coming and going etc. You will get used to the many folks and the feeling that you really cannot give or devote your undivided attention to your patients. After a time you will get used to the changes and will find that relying on ancilllary staff to support your patients is necessary to get out on time.

[awalker1015]

When I switched from 12h noc shift to a 9-5 clinic job, I worked my last night shift on Thursday night and started my new job Monday. I was lucky to seamlessly move into the new schedule with the three day break.

But my body and mind had never acclimated to nights. I was depressed, exhausted and gained a lot of weight during that time. Within weeks of starting my new job I was no longer depressed, had tremendous energy and lost the gained weight.

I hope all goes well with your schedule transition.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

And yes it is a new role for all the reasons you site in your post. It won't be like starting completely over but yes you will need to learn the day culture. What is the flow? Who is the go to person? What are the politics?

I think this is what I'm most stressed out about. I'm finally starting to feel comfortable -- even confident in certain instances -- in my role as a night nurse on my unit and now I'm looking at a transition that will shake everything up. I'm still new enough to get a bit sweaty when I remember the terror of being a new grad on the unit. I don't want that again! But I also need to consider my mental health and my marriage.

Thanks for both of your replies. I obviously have a lot to think about.