How Many Days Do You Work?

[RainDreamer]

The last 2 months I've had didactics, so I've been in class 1 day, and then working my other 2 on the unit, each week. But this was the last week of didactics and now I'll be starting to work my regular 3 days on the unit.

I'm trying to get an idea of what kind of schedule I want. While I was on orientation I worked my preceptor's schedule ... 3 days, in a row, each week. I'm full-time, so I do 3 days a week, but I just absolutely HATE doing 3 days in a row. I know most people, especially on night shift, LOVE working their 3 all in a row. So maybe I'm just weird or a wimp .... but I hate doing them in a row. And I'm a nightowl anyway ...... I don't stay up all night on my nights off, but I don't switch to a day schedule either and get up at the crack of dawn. So it's really no problem for me adjusting to a night schedule if my week is split up.

We do self-scheduling, so this month I tried to schedule myself 2 on, with 2 or 3 off, then 2 on, 2 or 3 off, etc. Does anyone else do this?

What kind of schedules are you guys working? Do you do your 3 in a row? Do you split it up? Do you ever pick up extra shifts and work 3+ days a week? I'm just curious as to what everyone else is doing.

[manna, BSN, RN]

We work 12 hour shifts, I work nights. Our schedule is: 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off. Sounds confusing, but it's not too bad once you get the hang of it.

I actually hate it. I work nights and 2 days off in a row is not long enough to get acclimated to my family's "daytime" schedule before I have to get back in my "nights" routine to go back to work.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

I am thrilled to say that I got approved for 3 12's a week OR 2-12's and 2-8's. I am going to try the 3-12's and see how they work for me. I am really really excited that I will be home a little more.

[Dempather, RN]

I'm on three days a week. One week a month, I'm on four (to match the amount of hours equivalent to working eight hour shifts five days a week). My supervisor lets everybody make up their own schedule -- sometimes, two days on, two days off.. next week is my first three days in a row. Then off for three. Muuch better than 8's, I feel.