12 hour shift

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I was wondering how everyone feels about12 hour shifts. Is it safe to work that long of a shift?

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

I worked Baylor shift at a nursing home which was 12 hrs. Sat. and 12 hrs. Sun. with Monday-Friday off. Got paid for 72 hours per pay period. Only reason I went to a "normal" 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri. job is because I had no benefits whatsoever in the Baylor position, and now I have benefits out the wazoo. Problem is, I kick myself everyday for giving up that Baylor position and wish I could find another one but with benefits.

Specializes in Pedi.
No wonder that was your former hospital! Isn't working 48 hrs. without overtime pay illegal?

Technically but the hospital found a loophole by classifying ALL RNs as "salaried, exempt employees"... so they didn't pay us overtime at all and didn't pay us for lunches we worked through or time spent working after our shifts had officially ended but we didn't get any of the perks that the true salaried employees got... we couldn't just come in late or leave early if we had appointments or kid's soccer games to get to, we couldn't work fewer than our weekly hours without getting chased to "make up" the hours and we still had to work weekends and holidays.

I love 3 12s per week as it gives me 4 OFO days. I understand about the bathroom breaks and decided long ago that I'd rather get chewed out for taking an extra minute to do most tasks (unless it's a priority one EMS run) than wetting my pants which is not only unprofessional, but un-hygenic. Lunches always seems to be an odd issue that varies from hospital to hospital. In the last place I worked they would make you clock in/out for lunch, but then track you down to do some task, etc. so that you really didn't get your break. At the place I work now, you not only get your lunch, but they'll track you down and have a word with you if you don't take your full lunch break. I was so stunned I was sure the cafeteria had slipped me a mickey....

I cannot stand 12 hour shifts. I don't even like the concept of having someone work 3 12's in a row. What else do you have time for? When I worked that schedule, I was good for absolutely nothing other than to work then sleep.

I find 8 hour shifts much more doable. I agree you have to come to work more often but IMO and in my case I am able to provide better and safer care.

I tend work 3-5 12's in a row. Which means I get 5-7 days off in a row.

But lately I'm working more with most being overtime as we have a huge nursing shortage. Makes saving for a house easier.

No way. If you work nights it will kick your ass and make you sick. If you like taking up to 9-11 sick patients overnight then maybe it's your thing. Days will seriously kill you if you're working a crazy busy medical unit. Too much to do and workers are stressed so they take out their insecurities and exhaustion on you. Just sayin...

I hate 12 hour shifts. You have to get there early and you never leave on time. I get a lunch break about 30 percent of the time but when I do I am constantly interrupted by the phone fr call lights. I would do 4 eight hour shifts in a heartbeat if they were available.

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I love my 12s. I only have to go to work 12 days a month.

Specializes in ICU.

Cafeteria? Working 12 hour night shifts it's closed when I get there, closed when I leave. After working here for a year, I've yet to eat in the the cafeteria. :yawn:

Specializes in ED.

I used to think I would hate 12's...but I sure do love only having to go to work three days a week!

i think it's safe. If you like it is a personal preference. I love it. I love having four days off a week. Or I love that I can work OT and still have 3 days off a week. I have been a nurse three years on the floor in several different facilities and always get out on time. My shifts don't become 14 hour shifts. I don't fall asleep driving home, days or nights. I may be tired but I would be if I went to work 5 days a week too. I think, if you hate 12's, find a floor or facility that does 8s.

same thing happens on an 8hr shift only shorter. At least on a 12 hour shift there i light at the end of the tunnel. IF I work 4 12 hour shift in a row, I know I get rewarded 4-6 days off, which is awesome.

8 hours shift feels like you will be working for a month straight and not get a day off

I had a 9-5 M-F job prior to going in to nursing and it was EXHAUSTING. Those extra hours I had in the evenings? I spent vegging out because it wore me down so much. My Sundays I spent mourning the fact that my weekend was almost over. If I needed to make a doctor's appointment, I had to get permission to take a few hours out from work to go. I couldn't adjust my schedule to make my vacations longer than the absolute amount of PTO I had.

The prospect of a 3 day workweek was something I really looked forward to in nursing. Now I'm working a weekend program and work a TWO day workweek but get paid like I'm working a 3 day workweek. That's 5 days off every week. Two days of PTO gets me a 12 day chunk of time. I'd never go back to working 8 hour shifts unless I truly did not need to work FT.

+ Add a Comment