Switching to night shift... A good choice?

Extra Pickles · Mar 13, 2017

All your reasons for switching are personal ones so it's not much use to have strangers tell you that it's a good or bad choice. Some people do very well on nightshift, they like the pace and the greater autonomy and having daytime hours off. Some people do poorly on nights because they never really adjust to the switch, have trouble sleeping, get sick more often. I don't mean to laugh at the concern for cancer by working nightshift, of all the reasons to not do it that's not a really good one! People who have unhealthy lifestyles are at a greater risk for cancer and other illnesses, diseases, so looking at a statistic in a vacuum isn't of much value at all. If when you work daytimes you eat healthy and get exercise and get enough sleep but when you switch to nights you cease all of that why would you expect your health to not suffer along with it? Take care of yourself as best you can regardless of the hours you work and don't focus on something like what your minutely increased risk of cancer might be. You can also live a perfectly healthy lifestyle and get cancer. Life happens.

If babysitting is a problem and it sounds like it is you are going to have to do something with your schedule anyway. Might as well earn extra $$ while you're at it but the ultimate decision is yours. Good luck.

Isakolistic · Mar 13, 2017

I don't mind night shift! I switched so we didn't have to deal with the babysitter/daycare issue, as my wife works evenings. Less cost, more time with family! The shifts themselves aren't bad (for me, I guess). The first night of a stretch or a single night are sometimes hard, but you learn to deal with it. It might be more difficult for you with school, as you'll probably have to stay awake for classes as well.

Sorry, but cancer thing made me :roflmao: . Maybe studies have shown that, but the risk is so insignificantly small that it effectively makes no difference. It might be the same differential for eating pizza instead of a salad.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 13, 2017

Night shift has far more pros than cons, but those few negatives can outweigh the positives immensely. One night shift essentially ruins two days. So account for four lost days a week...more if the shifts aren't worked consecutively. There are usually fewer resources and staffing, which can be a nightmare in an emergency. Also, it can wreck havoc on your health and social life.

With days, your days off are *completely* off. No working 7.5 hours into your "day off" and having to use most of daylight hours sleeping. However, on days, it is usually a lot busier. Management is in the building and the pay difference between nights and days is huge. The loss can be mitigated by picking up overtime, however.

If you can handle the cons of working the graveyard shift/are a night owl, then I would highly recommend nights. I would continue to work them if I could manage to find a way to be productive on my days off. But my days off were spent mostly lying in bed and not doing anything. Plus my boyfriend works your typical M-F 9-5er job, so there is that.

jss1985, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2017

Night shift has far more pros than cons, but those few negatives can outweigh the positives immensely. One night shift essentially ruins two days. So account for four lost days a week...more if the shifts aren't worked consecutively. There are usually fewer resources and staffing, which can be a nightmare in an emergency. Also, it can wreck havoc on your health and social life.
With days, your days off are *completely* off. No working 7.5 hours into your "day off" and having to use most of daylight hours sleeping. However, on days, it is usually a lot busier. Management is in the building and the pay difference between nights and days is huge. The loss can be mitigated by picking up overtime, however.
If you can handle the cons of working the graveyard shift/are a night owl, then I would highly recommend nights. I would continue to work them if I could manage to find a way to be productive on my days off. But my days off were spent mostly lying in bed and not doing anything. Plus my boyfriend works your typical M-F 9-5er job, so there is that.

I dont know what it is, but im feeling like nights is a bad idea. And im supposed to start the position in 2 weeks. Do you think its too late to tell my RN supervisor that i changed my mind? Sorry but as much as the babysitting is an issue im thinking health comes first. I just dont know

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2017

I dont know what it is, but im feeling like nights is a bad idea. And im supposed to start the position in 2 weeks. Do you think its too late to tell my RN supervisor that i changed my mind? Sorry but as much as the babysitting is an issue im thinking health comes first. I just dont know

Why do you think that working nights causes cancer?

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 13, 2017

NIght shift can take a toll on your health. Never heard the theory about cancer.

Only you can make this decision, only you know if your body can handle the switch in circadian rhythm.

For me, I could not handle night shift. I slept the entire time I was off and felt like warmed up dog poo.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Mar 13, 2017

I love night shift! Your mileage may vary. There are some studies that indicate some health risks to working nights, though I hadn't heard that cancer was one. You can take steps to mitigate those risks by eating well and exercising (which nursing students and parents have SO much time for). :cheeky: I don't see that there's any harm in trying if it would work the best for your family and your education, but I would:

1) Physically write a plan for how you will manage your sleep, classes, meals, family time, child care, exercise, etc. Know how you're going to fit everything in. It can be done, but it takes some amount of effort and foresight.

2) Set a period of time to evaluate how it's going for you, maybe...3 months? Your body won't have totally adjusted to it by then, but hopefully that's long enough to see if it's working for you, and worth the change.

If you know yourself and totally know you're not a night owl, I understand your reservations. But if you're on the fence, why not give it a shot?

jss1985, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2017

Well i have 2 prereqs left (micro and chem) before going to any nursing school. But i can say is when i get in my union will let nursing students work only 3 days a week (2 days off) but maintain a full time paycheck. So working three 8 hour nights a week doesn't sound too bad.

But between now and then its gonna be 37.5 hrs a week (4 on, 1 off, 3 on, 2 off, 3 on, 1 off, 4 on, etc) never 5 days straight tho. Oh and we get an hour and 30 min break so its more like ur working 6.5 hrs.

If i was working 3 twelves doing this i wouldn't be worried but the fact that it is 8 hrs... Im worried about my time management and health now. And like someone else said, the fact that you're working "into" your day off.

But if i stay on 3 to 11, what am i gonna do about babysitting? We do have an older stepdaughter who lives with us, but would it be fair to have her babysit on days where both my wife and i work 3 to 11? Then there's spending quality time with wifey. So far I've had to request holidays, switch with ppl, etc. in order to have a day off with her to go on a date together.

What if i go to nights, dont like it, and its too late for me to go back?

roser13, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2017

We can't answer every one of your "what-ifs." You just need to make a decision.

jss1985, ASN, RN · Mar 14, 2017

I totally understand. Im just asking what choice you would make in my shoes?

CalArmy · Mar 14, 2017

I enjoyed working nights. You really Form a great bond with your nightshifters.