7/70 Scheduling-Anyone have experience?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi,

This is my first post on AllNurses, but I have been reading the Forums for about two years now.

I am going to graduate from Nursing School this May, and the hospital that I am interested in has a 7/70 schedule for nurses in most departments.

They work seven 10 hour days and then have 7 days off. No on-call and they don't rotate shifts.

Does anyone have experience working this schedule? I would be interested in pros and cons.

Do you feel that working 70 hours in one week compromises patient safety and increases the risk of errors?

How nice is it to have 7 days off in a row?

Thank you in advance for your input.

Hmmm, how does someone with a spouse and kids do this? "See ya next week kids, sorry honey not til next week". I don't think so.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
Hmmm, how does someone with a spouse and kids do this? "See ya next week kids, sorry honey not til next week". I don't think so.

What is a 10 hour shift? 7-5? My kids go to day care frm 6am- 6 pm right now and what do most other offices workers work, 9-5 or whatever? So you end up getting off at about the same time and you end up really only working ever other weekend?

How have you abandoned the spouse and kids? It's only two more hours a day.

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What is a 10 hour shift? 7-5? My kids go to day care frm 6am- 6 pm right now and what do most other offices workers work, 9-5 or whatever? So you end up getting off at about the same time and you end up really only working ever other weekend?

How have you abandoned the spouse and kids? It's only two more hours a day.

My sister works in an office and works ONLY 10 hrs and takes an hour lunch, paid for by the company during those 10 hours. She only works 4 days in a week, no weekends, no holidays, no off shifts. She gets a bonus at the end of the year.

I work 12.5 hours minimum, I do not get paid for the "lunch" I get. Being on duty for ONLY 12.5 hours is a good day. I really can't see being on duty for a minimum of 10.5 hours, 7 days in a row as conducive to a less stressful work or home life.

My problem is the 7 days in a row. I have 3 young teenagers with afterschool activities, meetings, sports, friends and homework. I also coach a soccer team. Practice at 5:00 pm. I work nights so I can be home for that and hubby is there when I leave. I only do this 3 days a week. That's what works for me. I can't commit to anything else.

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I only did 12s and three is my max on those! I don't imagine 10s would be a whole lot better!! But if you can do it...more power to ya!!

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I am working 7 on 7 off and it is the best schedule ever! I would not change it. I work Mo-Fr 8 hr shifts and sat+sun 12 hr shifts. It sure is nice to have a vacation every other week.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

In a few of the hospitals I worked here in the UK, for 8 years I did regular night duty which involved doing 75 hours in 7 days and then a week off, which also worked out when booking holiday (vacation time) we would end up with 3 weeks off :D Initially found it hard but got used to it and really enjoyed that week off and could plan way ahead, even new who public holidays I would or would not be working

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Wow, thank you so much for all of your responses, you have certainly given me a lot to think about!

I have a very supportive husband, but no kids in the house so that is not an issue.

But yea, I think you would have to say, see you next week...

As for the shifts, they are Day 0700-1730, Evening 1230-2300, and Nights 2145-0745. Also, once you have a shift, I don't think you rotate them.

As one poster mentioned, a lot must depend on your unit and the people which will make or break you way before the schedule will get you down!

To me, that's the worrisome part of being a new nurse and deciding where to work.

This hospital has a good reputation, but I realize that each unit has its own culture.

There are units within the hospital that offer different schedules, but I'm not interested in working in those areas. (Birth Center, Surgery, PACU, Emergency Department and Outpatient Clinics)

Anyway, thanks again for all of your input. It's always nice to look at different perspectives.

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Specializes in midwifery, gen surgical, community.

I worked 7 nights on 7 nights off and really loved it. We worked Wed - Tues, so had every other weekend off. You really get to know your patients on your week on.

I was diagnosed with diabetes so my manager took me off nights and put me back on days. I now work 4 days a week with a mixture of earlys and lates. I do feel less tired now, but it may have something to do with controlling my blood sugars better.

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I agree that continuity of patient care is a big plus for these work hours, both for the patients and the nurses.

Heh, Neuronightnurse I sent you a PM. Not sure how those work, do they go to your email or you have to read them on this board?

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

i can't imagine how hard that would be[7/70]

good luck

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What is a 10 hour shift? 7-5? My kids go to day care frm 6am- 6 pm right now and what do most other offices workers work, 9-5 or whatever? So you end up getting off at about the same time and you end up really only working ever other weekend?

How have you abandoned the spouse and kids? It's only two more hours a day.

Wow, that is a long day at daycare for a little one. But how much energy would a parent have at the end of the day when they are working 7 ten hour days?

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There is a Hospital near my home that was advertising for a nurse to work 2 12 hour shifts on Sa/Su and be paid for 40. I thought that sounded good.

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