8 or 12hr shifts?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I will be graduating soon from the ADN program and was thinking about jobs. If I get the option, what shift is better 8 or 12 hour shifts? Twelve hours might be nice to get it all over and have more days off, but it sounds like you would get burned out fast. Any ideas or personal experiences?

Specializes in geriatrics.

I'm Canadian, and I think the labour regulations allow for up to 44.5 hours per week before overtime kicks in. But, this varies, because our nursing union contract stipulates that nurses can be scheduled for 5 12 hour shifts within a 7 day period.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

with 12 hour shifts if you wanted to pick up an extra shift its alot easier. plus like a lot have stated more days off... the only thing that sucks working 12s is if you get mandated because someone decides to be a no call no show or decides to call in and they mandate you to stay another four making it a 16 hour shift and you have to come back that same day/night to start the next shift when the next shift is schedualed to start. I dont know how other states work when it comes to patient abbandonment or how other facilities are when it comes to no calls no shows and call ins.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pulmonary, Transplant, Travel RN.

I believe, when used properly, 12 hour shifts have many advantages over 8hr shifts: The unit only has two shifts to staff, not three. This makes for easier scheduling. There are less reports (hand-offs) to perform each day, meaning the chances of there being errors resulting from communication break downs are reduced. Each worker has more days off than on, giving them ample time to attend to personal issues and to enjoy their "life at home" and many other things.

Problem is, this only works if the 12hr shifts are "used properly". I don't think when 12hr shifts were introduced, they were intended for people to get more hours. For nursing, they work fine if you stick to working three shifts a week. Do anything more than that, and you are greatly increasing your risk for burn out and fatigue. Hence your chances of making an error or becoming frustrated are much higher.

Too many nurses choose 12hr shifts simply to help squeeze in working another job or more OT. While I'm sure their intentions are not to get burnt out and to be less of a nurse, that is exactly what happens. Working so many hours without the extra days off is poison, and no matter how well they think they have it under control, eventually the poison starts affecting them.

This is why I won't work a second job despite the fact that I'd like to save enough money to buy a house, and I don't work OT unless it is beneficial to me (and never two weeks in a row). When you decide to work 12hr shifts, you have to plan for resting time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i am doing 12 hrs shifts and got more off in week which i like in a series

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for your thoughts. I have heard a lot of good about the 12hour shifts but it's good to hear the other side of it as well. I'm glad you have it worked out to spend more time with your family! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You brought up a lot of good points. Thank you so much! I agree with you when you mentioned how working 12 hour shifts reduces errors. Thanks for the tip about working two jobs while on 12hr shifts...it makes sense. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone for leaving comments and giving personal experiences, this will definitely help me when finding a job!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I like working 3, 12's and pray I never have to work 8's ever again. Working consumes a part of my life, not most of my life. Balance is crucial for my well-being. I always recognize when my life is out of balance and if I had to work 8 hour days five days per week, I would always be stressed out trying to find that balance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

I work 5 8s per week and it works for me right now. I have kids so I like being home shortly after they get out of school. I live very close to work so I get home in 15-20 mins. Plus I like getting off of work earlier on the weekends that I work. It almost doesn't feel like I work weekends if I am home by 4:30 at the latest. I still have time to go out to dinner or do other things I wouldn't be able to do if I worked until 7:30 or later. Sometimes I am so exhausted by the end of my shift I don't think I could stay another 4 hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment