12 Hour Shifts v. 8 Hour Shifts - When did it all change?

Nurses General Nursing

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Okay .... I have been a nurse for a really long time (almost 20 years now). One day everyone was working 8-hour shifts and then I woke up and the next day all that was available was 12-hour shifts. Can someone tell me why nurses like 12-hours better than 8-hours?

Ok - I know that when you work 12-hours ... you have more days off. But for me, it has been a real balancing act. I feel like when I am working, I can't do anything with my kids. The day is just shot! Forget about working nights! Once you finally get your sleep, your days off are gone.

So tell me, when and why did nurses agree to work 12 hours and how do you all balance your life, family obligations and your days off? Oh, and when you work 12 hours, you lose 4 hours a week. When you work 8 hours, you actually get paid for 80 hours in a payperiod. Why would nurse want to lose 8 hours a payperiod? That really confuses me.

I have made a decision and am starting a new job as an RN that offers me 8 hour days .... I have to tell you I can't wait. No more back breaking 12 hours for me.

Thanks for helping me understand this crazy trend in nursing.

Patrick

In my hospital it was the nurses who BEGGED administration for 12 hour shifts instead of 8, especially the mothers in the group. It just works out so much better for time off. I woud never work 8 hour shifts.

The facility I work at just started some 12 hour shifts. I took a 12 hour night shift weekend only. 24 hours a week is perfect, with 5 days off during the week I love it. However, as a rule hospitals are very inflexible. Why not 4 hour and 6 hour shifts. I have never been a unit manager, but I am willing to bet if I offered nurses the flexibility to work 4,6,8 and 12 hour shifts and gave choices on starting time (ie: why are all 12 hour shifts 7-7 why not 11-11 or 3-3?), I would have a very easy time finding staff. Many RN's I know are willing to take pay cuts for scheduling flexibility. Why not simply hire a real good number cruncher to integrate the schedules, and have a unit with a very happy staff. My other problem is night differential. Where I worked before there was a 10-15 year wait to get on days. This tells me the night diff is inadequate. The night differential should be enough of an incentive to equalize the demand for night vs day shift. If openings exist equally amoungst days and nights, then the night differential is enough.

RNPAL ............good for you for having your priorities straight........your child will always remember you putting them first............................................... :)

I've worked 8's and 12's and I like 8 hour shift better.

12's are toooooooooooooo long. I'm shot by 5pm and don't want to work anymore.

I would love to work 3 eight hour shifts a week. I would do something else the other two days.

Cherry

Specializes in Nursing Education.
Originally posted by Paige Turner RN

RNPAL ............good for you for having your priorities straight........your child will always remember you putting them first............................................... :)

Thanks. Balancing life is very important and one day I might learn to be successful at it.:uhoh3:

Originally posted by wjf00

The facility I work at just started some 12 hour shifts. ..However, as a rule hospitals are very inflexible. Why not 4 hour and 6 hour shifts... I am willing to bet if (they) offered nurses the flexibility to work 4,6,8 and 12 hour shifts and gave choices on starting time (ie: why are all 12 hour shifts 7-7 why not 11-11 or 3-3?), (they) would have a very easy time finding staff. Many RN's I know are willing to take pay cuts for scheduling flexibility. Why not simply hire a real good number cruncher to integrate the schedules, and have a unit with a very happy staff.

I think you have an excellent point here! I prefer 8 hr shifts and prefer the 3-11 shift, which has been pretty much eliminated in my area (SW Florida). As a result, I am taking a huge (50%) paycut to work in a Doctor's office so I can have a schedule that won't kill me! I read a recent article about novel approaches to the nursing shortage and saw that some hospitals are offering "mother's hours"- shorter shifts with more flexible start times. They are reportedly having good success at recruitment and retention by doing so.

I know many nurses who love the 12 hour shifts, but the benefit is always framed in terms of having more time away from work... What about having a rewarding and successful time when you are at work? I wonder what the error rate is between 3pm and 7pm, or 3pm and 7am at those hospitals that have all 12 hr shifts running from 7 to 7... I wonder how the patients feel at those times if they need something extra.... just a thought!

Specializes in Nursing Education.
Originally posted by sunhill

I know many nurses who love the 12 hour shifts, but the benefit is always framed in terms of having more time away from work...

You know, I really have to agree with you here. I went into nursing as a career. There is no debate ... having days off is a very nice thing. But, if nursing is my career, then excessive days off do not benefit me and in fact, most times, when I work 12 hour shifts, I feel out of the loop. Returning back to 8 hour shifts gives me a sense that I am in the loop on patient information and can make more informed decisions for my patients.

But, I can understand other nurses needs for more days off. :D

Specializes in Critical Care.

We self scedule and most of us choose 12 hour shifts. When I worked 5 eight hour shifts a week I was exhausted, days or nights. I do alot better on 12 hour nights. 3-11 is better for my body, but then you never get to see your kids!

Noney

I've done both recently, previously, six years on 12 hr. then had to work 5 days instead of just 3. My family life allows the flexability to work the 12 so it's not an issue.

for me, if I'm already there I might as well stay the 4 more hours for three shifts to have two extra days off.

but I did just work a radiology contract, no weekends or holidays that was so sweet, I almost converted. So I definately appreciate those who firmly state no 12 hr. shifts!

Its a matter of finding them, on the right shift with the right pay. and it keeps you with in the "norms" of real life. a 12 hour shift is the whole day, that's why I do them all in a row. Especially nigts, if I've slept all day after working I might as well just get up and go back. not scheduled the next day, I only sleep for 4 hours to readjust.

hopefully hospitals will continue to offer the option of both to meet everyones needs during our continued nursing shortage. This should be a priority.

well i work 14 hr shifts (07.30-21.30) 3 days a week (thats what our long days are). i do this to spend more time with my children and hubby. I think doing 8 hrs 5 days a week would exhaust me more. It would seem to me as tho i'm always at work. I love my job but i have a life outside the hospital too, as we all do. Working 3 long days is much better for me

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