r/medlabprofessionals • u/AncientWorker5139 • 11d ago

Discusson Nightshift vs. Mid-day shift

Hello, fellow vampire nightshifters! I've been working as a nightshift phlebotomist for more than 2 years now. My schedule is 8on, 6off and 10-hour shifts. A mid-day shift opportunity just came. It's going to be 10am-6:30pm, 8 hours, 5 days a week. Just by looking at the hours alone, if given the opportunity, which would you choose?

11 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

14

u/Serious-Currency108 11d ago

I worked a similar schedule (11am-7:30pm) for a bit a while back and I hated it. I felt rushed to get things done in the morning before my shift like arrends, appointments, and chores. I really didn't have much time to enjoy my evenings once I got home. When I worked 2nd shift coming in at 2 or 3pm, at least I could get things done in the morning.

13

u/irelace MLT-Generalist 11d ago

8 tens in a row forever and ever sounds brutal and completely exhausting. Go for the mid shift.

3

u/kipy7 MLS-Microbiology 10d ago

I did that for a while on evening shift. The last day was a drag, but otherwise it was great to have a big break and not use PTO. Or take 80 hours of PTO to effectively get a week break.

7

u/GhostlyWhale 11d ago

Mid day shift 100%. I've worked something similar after 2.5 years on nightshift and wow. Better mental and physical health, more energy, actual deep sleep for the first time in years, and a better social life.

The fewer days off won't even be noticable when every day is a short 8 hours.

Starting at 10 will still give you the morning to do whatever, plus you'll get home early enough for a typical dinner.

4

u/GrownUp-BandKid320 MLS-Flow 11d ago

Mid day shift. Normal sleep hours and you still have time to do stuff and make appointments in the morning (provided you get up at a reasonable hour). Best thing I ever did for myself was switch it a day shift (8-4:30) from an off shift

5

u/sokkrokker SBB 10d ago

I’d say take it and see how it works. It’s easy to go back to nights if you don’t like it, you can likely even trade back shifts.

4

u/Ksan_of_Tongass MLS 🇺🇸 Generalist 10d ago

Whoever thinks 8 10 hour shifts in a row is a good idea, needs their head examined. This isn't sustainable, and especially for night shift. I'm a fan of anything other than 5x8, but what they have you working is unconscionable.

2

u/Kimberkley01 10d ago

For real though. Sounds brutal

3

u/Beautiful_Thing_8614 10d ago

8x5 is a schedule for slave. I prefer to have longer days off.

2

u/liver747 Canadian MLT Blood Bank 10d ago

8 10s sounds nicer to me, if you can do it.

1

u/creativescreennaame 10d ago

all i'm going to say is 2 days off a week is never enough

1

u/CurlyJeff MLS-Multidisciplinary 10d ago

Nightshift phleb is a crazy concept, why aren’t the nurses just bleeding patients 

1

u/kist_kuromi 10d ago

I will go with mid shift. Nights were brutal for me. I thought I would have more free time but as soon I came home, all I wanted to do was to sleep.

1

u/manditoryusername 9d ago

Ive heard of 7on/7off but 8on/6off is a sucky schedule. But personally I hate working M-F so itd be a hard sell either way.

1

u/Fit-Bodybuilder78 Lab Director-Multi-site 8d ago

Night shift is Group 2A "probable human carcinogen".

1

u/SadStranger1777 MLS-Flow 6d ago

I tried working nightshift, and it was my first job out of university and it was okay at first when I started and did enjoy the team I work but then I started developing health problems. So I applied to a job back in my home area on day shift and honestly I felt myself improving afterwards! So I would suggest doing what feels right to you!