What do you think of 12 hour shifts?

[Joe V]

12-hour shifts have been gaining in popularity among nurses and hospitals ... Do you think this is a good idea? Do you find it more dangerous to work a 12-hour shift vs a 10-hour shift? Would you prefer sticking to the standard 8-hour shifts?

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[Molly04]

I have worked 12hrs most of my career at the hospital (really ends being almost 14) and I was always exhausted. It took a whole day off to rejuvenate. I now work 4 10's at an endoscopy center. Still end up being gone from the house about 12hrs a day, but with no nights, call, or weekends and one day off during the week to get stuff done, it's perfect. Plus the company I work for is awesome and my co-workers, too. I hope to retire from this job.

☺

[rleah, BSN, RN]

I love 12 hour shift for the amount of days off you have! While I do think 8 hour shift are better for your body, its hard to justify working 5 days instead of 3.

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

Love them. And if you are comparing them to 10s, it's negligible... but some can't DO 12s for whatever reason and that's fine. But I love the option of having days off OR just working all week for OT, because it's available, thank God.

but- if I occasionally pick up a 8 hr shift for someone, I feel like a million bucks going home, and it feels like I worked a half day!! 😂

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I would think 12 hour shifts were preferred since you would have 4 days off[/quote

One of those days will be spent recuperating from the previous 3 if you do 3 12's in a row. Most people seem to like them, though. Fewer uniforms needed, less time driving to and from work, fewer lunches to pack.

[CrazierThanYou]

12 hours, hands down. I don't think I could go back to a job where I only had 2 days a week off. Yes, 12 hours is a long shift but it's a trade off to work on fewer days a week!

[amzyRN]

I used to think 12s were the best but since moving to the ED, I think I might want to go back to 8hr shifts (x4 per week). So I'd work 4 8 hours shifts versus 3 12hour shifts. If I had self scheduling I'd stick with the 12 hours but as is now, I have to work the schedule I'm given and sometimes I have to do 4 shifts in a row. Its too tiring in my department.

[noblemarkus89]

well i think you doing a great job you trying so hard to arrange all things i give you thumbs up.

i wonder what your bed-time stories are going to be like *smiles* but i know its going to be the best of all.

Take care of yourself please.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

The first time that I worked 12 hour shifts, I thought that they would do me in. It was in a physically demanding area of practice (rehabilitation), and I was literally numb when I walked out after my shift. I currently work ten-hour shifts, and I like them (although I wish that they started a bit later).

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I miss 8 hour shifts

[kp2016]

I like 8s love 10s. Im fine with 12s for nights only.

[rockchickrn, ADN]

When I was young I loved them, now that I'm older I don't like them.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

49 minutes ago, rockchickrn said:

When I was young I loved them, now that I'm older I don't like them.

I'm right there with you!