[withasmilelpn]

When I worked 8 hour shifts I found I was completely burned out and depressed. Not even more rested because I could not sleep because I was constantly worrying about my patients. Now I have balance and my family life takes precedence over that of nursing, leaving me more satisfied. Plus I actually can keep more up to date now educating myself, before I didn't want to spend any more time even thinking about being a nurse. I get plenty of sleep when I get home from my shift because yes I"m tired. And even though I might not be as fresh the last four hours, I've got my day so organized by that point I don't skip a beat. Truthfully if you want to worry about anything, how about the first four hours of the day before my coffee kicks in?

[JT RN]

Originally Posted by TheCommuter

I prefer to work two 16-hour shifts per week.

count me in. 4 hours of double time, 5 days off a week. but as it is, 12-hour shifts for sure. if we moved to 8's I'd probably find a new job.

[psychnurse1998]

Originally Posted by oMerMero

12 hour shifts, without a doubt. I am already at work, I might as well stay a few more hours and have an extra day off in the week. I also like being able to spread things out throughout the shift. I think I get to know my patients better since I spend more time with them during a 12 hour shift.

Poor patient if he or she gets stuck with a grouchy nurse for 12 hours instead 8. Or even worse one that does poor care... Just a thought. I am of the 8hr is better school of thought. I think increasing the length of the work day is going backwards in history. Also 12 hour shfit force workers 2 choices...days or nocs..no more PMs in many cases. And who wants to be a health statistic from doing noc work?

[psychnurse1998]

Originally Posted by tntrn

Although I work in the Birth Center, I would in no way, EVER, work 12 hour shifts. I know that I am on limited energy and brain power by 10 or so. I also do not want anybody who's just done 3 12's or 2 16's taking care of me or my loved ones. I just do not see how you have been able to get adequate rest.

Finally someone that agrees with me. lol I would not want someone that is tired or worked that long either. I didnt know about this thread so i had posted another. I still enjoy the other post too. though

[psychnurse1998]

Originally Posted by RNSacht

Just thought I would add my two cents worth before people get heated like many of these posts do... ... I was such an ADVOCATE for 12 hours shifts. "I luv 12 hours shifts" "Wouldnt work anything else" Now, I could not WAIT to GEt off 12 hour shifts!!!!!!!!!! As far as the vaca time, usually at least at our facility it is by hours, so two days is for a 12 hours shifter 24 hours of vaca time where as two days of an 8 hour shifter is only 16 hours, (See my point?? ) But speaking from experience, the going home (around 8-830 pm) going to bed , getting up at 5am is not pleasant. And if you have a heavy load or difficult patients the thought of taking care of them two or even three days of 12 hours shifts in a row can be very taxing on you!!!!!!
So to make a long story short I am now on 3-11 four days a week (32 hours a week) and I make the same as when I worked 3 twelve hours days (7a-7p) So technically Im working 4 hours less and making the same w/ the shift differential. I felt with my family the every other weekend was like I was going away for two days straight!!!!!!!!! Now at least I have some of my weekend back, I do not leave until 2pm. I am much, much, less tired after the 8 hour shifts now. I guess I have learned once again the hard lesson of never, say never!

Now that seems like good critical thinking skills if you ask me. I think that points to a more healthier goal. Work to get more per hour, and you may not have to work as many days per week and as many hours per day. I read in one of my nursing books that nurses are in "empowered", but I wonder where that power really is today. With todays mindset, I think some would volunteer to go back to the 16 hr days they had way back in the 1800's. The present choice is 8hr or 12 hour shift, and what shift profits the employer more, not what profits the nurse or patient more. I hope that puts reality in perspective. I mean the employer is not going to offer more per hour., unless there is some pressure from below.

[stephlucasrn2008]

A good scheduling tactic for 12's...

I assume most hospital require RN's to rotate 2 shifts and every other weekend, as mine does...

My weekend to work, I work 7a to 7p Saturday & Sunday... Then I am back Monday & Tuesday night for 7p to 7a... So I am working 4 days in a row, but between days 2 & 3 I have 24 hours off... I find that it works well, as far as rest goes... And, the biggest perk... I finish up Tuesday morning and don't have to be back until that next Monday...

[SLEEPERJC]

Hi friends,
Great post It really hit home. Was promoted to Nurse Educator and will now work 8 hour days. I loved 12 hours. it was beyond my wildest dream for many years. Now at 47(2 coronary stents last march) Im looking to slow it down a little. Looking foward to weekends and holidays off but not to the 5:30 alarm clock going off. It is nice getting out at 3:00 in the afternoon though. whatever floats you're boat!!!!

JC

[PACUJennifer]

I work 8s (as a .6) in a PACU, (so 6 shifts/PP) and am looking for a new job where I can return to 12s. There is no way I can work FT in a unit which is based on 8 hours -that is 10 shift out of the 14 in a PP! I'd NEVER be home for supper with the family - and that's just not acceptable to me.

6 or 7 12s in a PP would be much better. A previous poster expressed her concern about being cared for by someone who's worked 3 12hr shifts.How'd you like to receive your post op care from someone who's on his/her 7th 8hr shift in a row?! In our unit,the FTers do at least 5 in a row and not all of their days off are 2 in a row either. Get me outta here!!!

[psychnurse1998]

Originally Posted by PACUJennifer

I work 8s (as a .6) in a PACU, (so 6 shifts/PP) and am looking for a new job where I can return to 12s. There is no way I can work FT in a unit which is based on 8 hours -that is 10 shift out of the 14 in a PP! I'd NEVER be home for supper with the family - and that's just not acceptable to me.

6 or 7 12s in a PP would be much better. A previous poster expressed her concern about being cared for by someone who's worked 3 12hr shifts.How'd you like to receive your post op care from someone who's on his/her 7th 8hr shift in a row?! In our unit,the FTers do at least 5 in a row and not all of their days off are 2 in a row either. Get me outta here!!!

2 wrongs dont make a right. How would anyone like to be a plane with a pilot that has flown for 12 hours..if that is possible. Or ride in a bus with a bus driver that has driven 12 hours or more..Or have a Doctor doing surgery on you.. But its great there is room for opinion in the world..or maybe in some parts of the world. <smile> If I waS going to ride a horse..I prefer a fresh one..Where have all the critical thinkers gone..long time passing..when will they ever learn..when.......?

[PACUJennifer]

Originally Posted by psychnurse1998

2 wrongs dont make a right. How would anyone like to be a plane with a pilot that has flown for 12 hours..if that is possible. Or ride in a bus with a bus driver that has driven 12 hours or more..Or have a Doctor doing surgery on you.. But its great there is room for opinion in the world..or maybe in some parts of the world. <smile> If I waS going to ride a horse..I prefer a fresh one..Where have all the critical thinkers gone..long time passing..when will they ever learn..when.......?

Huh? My point is that there is more than one way of looking at something - surely you can see that for some people there is less fatigue in working a rotation which is based on (fewer) 12 hr shifts rather than shorter shifts that are of a greater number in a row. I don't consider 8 and 12 hour shifts "two wrongs"...that's just reality. Each individual decides what's right for him/her. Do I think that hospitals could do more with scheduling to improve the quality of life for RNs? You betcha!
But smarter nurses than I will have to come up with those rotations!