Just resigned from shift work but I love my Job

[Picklybilly88]

I have just resigned! I work for the NHS in a front facing and fast paced role. I love my job but the shifts kill me. The following- 06.30-14:30—13.00-21.00 —09.30-17.30
thankfully no nights! We work weekends etc.
i have done the job for 2.5years now but recently really struggled with the late finish and the early start. Asked my manager if they could consider a day shift role (4 people in my team) But it isn’t fair or possible apparently.
started looking for a day job, and found one which sounded great! I got
offered it during the interview. Now I’m
not sure. Colleagues have shed tears because I resigned.
Did anyone else work shifts then all of a sudden find them a struggle?
Not sure if I should just stay put or move on to the new job 8.30-5 with an hour lunch.

I did shift work including nights for 17 years (also NHS) I now exclusively do 0730-1930 for a private company but in a public organisation. Still patient facing.

It has improved my entire life dramatically!

Really. Did you struggle to
sleep? I’m just tired all the time. I love work when I am there but the thought of a 9pm finish in the winter again just upsets me.

I suppose that it depends upon your age and whether you have children. I did shift work in my 20s similar to your pattern (actually often finished at 10pm then had an hr commute home). I didn't find it demanding and enjoyed the variation, but I wouldn't want to do it with kids or now that i'm a lot older.

Take the new job.

My child is 17 and I’m early 50’s but I do keep myself fit and active.

Simple as that. It does sound easier than my current demanding role.
NHS always take people back but my new role is not NHS

Take the new job.

I miss my old NHS clinical role but I don't miss getting up before dawn or needing to lie down for an hour after work before I could do anything.

Take the new job

I do shift work, a whole variety, 7-3, 7-1930, 1-9, 0830-2100, can be in any order at all, nights every few weeks as well.
I took a community post a few years back & Mon-Fri 9-5 destroyed me, I found this even more tiring.
Tough decision to make.

It is tough. I try to avoid nana naps as they mess me up more (but I love them)

So difficult. I know if I go
to my boss and tell them I have had a change of heart they’ll be really pleased.
so much love in our trust.
new job is entirely different, no queues 7 or 8 deep.

Take the new job. You wouldn't have gone to the effort of applying and interested if you didn't want to leave.

I would stay just for the love
I have never met love in managers, only in colleagues and not everyone

Something just popped up and I applied! Got a call and a meeting within a few days.
New manager seems fantastic and we definitely connected well.

We are very lucky. There is 1 bad apple but we treat that person well and don’t let the bad attitude get us down.

Forget the shifts- what about the actual jobs. Does you new job offer you something your current job doesn't?. I used to work shifts over 7 days, now am hybrid flexible working M-F. Whilst it took some getting used to, I would never go back.

Thats a thought. In my current role we are bound by rules! And its hard to get away, even just to pee! So busy all day!
new job seems more relaxed but business like and corporate. New manager is keen to train me as his deputy.

I work shifts (6:45 to 21:30 😱) but I do it because it’s moving me forward into something I want to do. Will this new job move your career forward? I’ve found in clinical work it’s very easy to drift if you’re not careful.

I’m admin-front desk band 2.
New job is front facing but swanky and
fancy. I think there will be opportunities but to be honest I’m not overly ambitious.

If you are in your early 50s and leaving the NHS for a new job outside the NHS I would question if the new non NHS job offers as good sick pay or pension as your current job. Even if the contributions appear similar they may result in very different pension income if you lose 10 plus years of future NHS pension contributions.

On the other hand, I would hate working shifts ... I would see if there was an internal NHS transfer or would check to see if staying in the NHS snd your current job means you would be able to afford to retire earlier than moving outside the NHS pension scheme.

This is what plays on my mind. Those benefits are not as good in the new role. Although I am
trying not to overthink pension stuff.
my hubby has been fortunate to have a good pension on the cards so we will have financial security one day.

Same, 9 to 5 in sales and office nearly destroyed me in my 20s. I have been flourishing as a home stay mother and shifts now - having time to do things in the week not only commute and work is so much more healthy

Argh..help 🥹

Shifts aren’t good for work life balance. One thing I appreciated when I moved to 9-5 Monday to Friday, was how much better I felt though being able to live ‘normally.’

I was able to commit to other hobbies, and just felt better all round.

I seem to have a lot of spare time around shifts which is lovely, but the tiredness is ridiculous now.
My sleep is shocking

If you live your job it seems a shame- can you reduce your hours and therefore the overall tiredness ?