Switching to different shifts on same Unit?

Nurses General Nursing

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Has anyone ever switched to different shifts when they open up on the same unit? What about doing it more than once? I recently went from third shift to first shift after a few years, and now am waiting for a third shift to open up again. I also find myself staying up all night on my days off, making it hard to wake up for days.

I really don't like all the chaos during the day.It has increased my anxiety level to the point where I am not eating very much, and am always nauseated. I am learning a ton, because there were things that we didn't really do on nights that are primarily done on days. Learning is awesome, yet I miss my night crew, and can't seem to get a rhythm to get my tasks done during day shift with all the PT, OT, RT, and various other things going on.

Did anyone else regret switching shifts and switch back? Did your manager give you a hard time about it?

Thanks!

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Has anyone ever switched to different shifts when they open up on the same unit? What about doing it more than once? I recently went from third shift to first shift after a few years, and now am waiting for a third shift to open up again. I also find myself staying up all night on my days off, making it hard to wake up for days.

I really don't like all the chaos during the day.It has increased my anxiety level to the point where I am not eating very much, and am always nauseated. I am learning a ton, because there were things that we didn't really do on nights that are primarily done on days. Learning is awesome, yet I miss my night crew, and can't seem to get a rhythm to get my tasks done during day shift with all the PT, OT, RT, and various other things going on.

Did anyone else regret switching shifts and switch back? Did your manager give you a hard time about it?

Thanks!

YES i face that problem it is so much difficult to change a shift but you there will be face any thing in job. But i think the first shift is best as compared to night shift . You try to hold this shift soon you will feel more comfortable as compared to third shift

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Progresive Care Unit.

I will be switching from nights do days in 2 months. As of right now, I am looking forward to it. I know I will miss my night shift peeps a lot but my health is declining fast since I started working nights last November.

Managers in my hospital don't make any problems with switching shifts. When I transferred to PCU, I told my manager that I am super excited about nights because I am night person... I wasn't that excited couple months later! After short discussion with my manager, I knew that if something new will open and no one will have more seniority than I do, I will get day shift position with no problems.

I always was telling myself that I will never ever work day shift because I feel day shift crew, no matter what unit you are working on, is "not my kind" of nursing personalities I like to work with. BUT... never say never! Definitely, I will do my best to adjust to days and new peeps.

BTW before switching to nights I was working evening shift. So far it is my favorite shift!

If I were you I would do what is best for you! :) What I like about nursing is that if you don't like something you can change it easy. Even if it's only shift you are working.

Good luck :)

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Thank you! I've only been days for a week after working straight nights for almost 2 years. I already know in my heart I want to go back to nights. Before I worked as a nurse, I had previously worked overnights for a decade in retail positions. So I was trying to see if days would be better, Nope! I'm nights all the way.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I've switched from a Day/Evening rotation to Day/Night, to Nights, to Days, to Day/Night Rotation to Nights to Days to Day/Night Rotation to nights. I'll retire from nights. At different periods in my life, my body has liked different shifts. I worked straight days for 20 years, but I think I'm too old for the chaos now. If you want nights, go back to nights. You may not have to wait for a new position to open up as you're going from the preferred shift to a less preferred shift. Talk to your nurse manager and see what happens.

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I told the other charge nurses that I would work their weekends for my weekdays (any shift) as long as they pay me my shift premium and compensate me.

Some of them actually take me up on it.

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I may have to talk to her about this. I'm pretty sure she is getting fed up with me! I left the Unit for a month and the shift, and tried something new, that didn't work out at all travel-wise. I was able to get back on the unit a little over a month after leaving it. My old shift was already taken, and no night openings as of yet. I also lost my unit seniority. I feel like I am going to lose my job because I just can't hack days! I never felt that way on nights. My health was suffering working nights, but I have that better managed now.

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Not going any better. My anxiety is getting the best of me. My beloved cat was just diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Failure on Friday, he is only 9. Vet said that I have to start him on subq fluids now, new food, medication...with all this stuff going on I really should talk to EAP. All I think about on my days off is work and my cat. Not eating very well either. So lost.

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