Taking a pay cut to go to day shift?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'll start off with saying: I know this is ultimately my decision, I am just looking to hear others opinions :)

I currently work in a neonatal ICU, I have been here two years. I worked on a neuro intermediate care unit for two years prior. I have been a nurse for 4 years. I am not interested in med/surg/ICU nursing. I have been on nights these past four years and it is really starting to get to me. I am feeling depressed and anxious and I really believe it is related to working nights. Every day I have to go into work I think about looking for another job. In addition to not liking nights, I am not crazy about how the unit is run (we have 3 clinical managers and two of them just put in their two week notices. A lot of people aren't very happy). There are a couple other things that just make me not feel like NICU is the right fit for me.

I have applied to an endoscopy unit in our hospital, and I found out today I am shadowing and interviewing next week. It is 72 hours a pay, day shift, no weekends, 4 days a week 9 hour days, no holidays (but we are on call occasionally evenings/nights/weekends/holidays). I really feel like this schedule would be so much better for me.

The pay cut is the one thing worrying me. Going to days would be about $450 pay cut a month. That's a big deal! It already is kind of tight sometimes with finances, and adding that to it makes me nervous. My daughter would have to go to the sitter four days a week instead of the two that she goes now (she is 14 months) which kind of makes me feel guilty and selfish, I want to do what's best for her. But for my mental sanity, I finally feel like I have an 'out' from nights and that makes me so excited.

Anyone have personal experience from this? I am torn...and rambling :)

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Specializes in Heme Onc.

You can't split/rotate?

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The endoscopy unit runs Monday-Friday during the day. 7am until 6pm. On call hours otherwise.

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Specializes in Heme Onc.

what i mean is....you can't find a job that rotates?

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Specializes in Med Surg.

It really depends on your finances. I took a similar pay cut to go to days and I'm so much happier. We're having to be more careful about spending, but it's worth it.

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Oh, sorry...rotates days/nights? I don't want to do nights at all anymore. I hope that answers your question.

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I did it. MUCH happier schedule, much better family life. MUCH easier to schedule appointments and kids' stuff without worrying about when or if I'd get any sleep before/after a shift! Suddenly, "normal person" hours made me realize how tough I had had it for so long. Don't get me wrong, I really did like night shift as a whole, but....for me, it was worth less money to no longer be dragging my butt in when my family was celebrating something or other, or missing something with my family because I just HAD to get some sleep.

At first the money was certainly noticeable....and then we got used to living on less :)

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I don't see how you can call it selfish. First you're working hard for a living either way. But then you're also going to have 3 days a week off with her, following a normal sleep pattern so you won't be needing a day to recover.

If you can keep the lights on, I would do it.

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Specializes in Mental Health/Substance Abuse.

I did essentially the same thing - went from working 3 12hr night shifts, EOW/H, etc to a Mon-Thur 10 hour a day job. No weekends, no holidays, no call. I took a $5/hour pay cut. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty rough on the wallet at first, but I just changed my budget around and got it figured out. I also stayed PRN at my original job and earn extra cash that way - is that a possibility for you?

Every single Thursday at 5pm I thank my lucky stars I got my job because I get to go home and enjoy my weekend with my family. I think you are making the right choice as you will be in better situation re: mental health for your family.

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Here's what I think--if you are working into an evening shift, that is a differential. I am assuming that you are paid an on call rate when you are on call. Then if you are called in, overtime. So it JUST may all work out in the end.

I also would see that because you are moving to a different department, if they might be willing to give you a small raise, as you are a 4 year employee? Doesn't hurt to ask.

Best wishes!

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This post makes me realise how

many of us hate nights and how we all dream of never doing them again!

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I'd just do some OT to make up the difference.

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