One of our jurors in our current trial is a nurse. I was talking to her today, and she said that all hospitals have 12-hours shifts, not 8. Is that true?? How does anyone stay on their feet and do a good job over a 12-hour shift??

Some hospitals make up for short staffing by having all Nurses work 12 hr shifts. Not all hospitals work this way. There are still some out there that work 8 hr days but also have manditory overtime. It would depend on your area.

Zoe

many people like the 12 hour shifts. it gives you more days off. sometimes i like it, and some days i wish i was 8 hour shifts. i think 12s is good though. 10 hour shifts were better.

It varies from facility to facility.

Most hospitals have a mix of 8's, 10's and 12's.

I work 6 12 hour shifts in a row and the get 8 days off. If you look at it that way, I only work 12 days a month...not to bad IMO.

Depending on the facility, there are some that are now trying 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hour shifts.

bob

Thank you for your answers. I really appreciate them!

Its all 12 hr shofts for the RN's on my unit, we have given up our 8 hr shifts. It is a long day(or night) but you do get used to it, and it gives you more days off.

I will be at least 60 when I graduate from nursing school. (Graduating I don't think will be a problem for me.) I can't imagine being on my feet 12 hours a day. And, from what I hear on the board here, breaks are non-existent.

Bella I agree with some of the posts. I think you should be able to find an 8 hour job when you finish with school.

renerian

Here in the UK things are a little different . In my service we have shifts of 7am-2.30pm

1.30pm- 9.00pm.

8.30pm - 7am

so the longest shift is 10 1/2 hrs (including breaks)

six 12 hr shifts.........wow, i couldn't do that at all, i definitly want your energy 2ndcareerRn!! we have a mixture of 12's and 8's in my area.

My hospital has worked all 12 hr shifts for years. I personally do not like for than 3 in a row. If I am scheduled 4 I am dead on the 4th one. I would not go back to 8 hr shifts though for anything. Too much time spent at the hospital with them.

it varies. I can't imagine how that nurse thinks she could POSSIBLY speak for "all" hospitals. Has she not heard of FLEXTIME, BAYLOR, PERDIEM, TRAVELING, OR AGENCY? SHEESH! Just goes to show you can't believe all you hear. I work a variety of shifts, varying from 12 hour nights on Fridays to 4 hour afternoon shifts during the week. It just depends on where you are the type position you hold.

We have a mix of shifts 4, 8 or 12. Works pretty well most of the time.

I personally do three 12's (get paid for 40 hrs though) and it isnt all that bad.... four days off a week is nice :)