Are 12 hour shifts terribly long?

mmsparkle · Aug 17, 2006

I also prefer 12 hour shifts. However I think it would depend on your work environment. When I was working on the wards, with 16 patients (32 if short-staffed) 8 hours was enough. I tried 14 hour shifts (07.30 - 21.25 (yeah right, more like 22.30) in an attempt to reduce my unpaid overtime (it had been around an hour after every shift just catching up on paperwork). I personally felt then that with that many patients, I couldn't remember everything - if someone came to take over from me in the afternoon, anything I'd missed would be picked up on by a fresh set of eyes.

Now I'm in a critical care environment, with just 2 patients, I love my 12 hour shifts. So much more time off; a whole day to plan your care, time any tasks around everything else going on that day. Not as tiring, either. If you're busy, it's because the patient's sick - makes it that much more interesting. Ifyou're quiet, there's more time to spend with each patient / family.

Love it!

MomNRN, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2006

Liking a 12-hour shift also depends on how old you are and good your knees are!

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Aug 17, 2006

12's are long at first but you get used to it. I come to expect a dragging feeling around 3-4 pm, get some coffee and get my second wind to finish out the day. I also like 12's cause since I'm weekend option I report off to the same nurse every night (or most every night). It makes for great continuity of care.

doris66 · Aug 17, 2006

doing 12 hour shifts is great because you only have to do 3 of them for full time and then you get 4 days off a week

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2006

Yep, I agree Tweety. However, not only have I been working 12's, I have also been working doubles. I never thought I woud be able to do them but so far it seems ok.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2006

Im a nursing student and Im just wondering if the 12 hour shifts go by fast or if they just drag on. I know working previous jobs 8 hours seems way too long, but maybe since you are always doing something in nursing it helps?

I work 16-hour double shifts. My work shifts seem to fly right by.

I prefer to work two 16-hour shifts per week much rather than the traditional 8-hour shifts for 5 days per week.

MuddaMia · Aug 17, 2006

I work 16-hour double shifts. My work shifts seem to fly right by.
I prefer to work two 16-hour shifts per week much rather than the traditional 8-hour shifts for 5 days per week.

How do double shifts work? Do you get paid overtime for the 2nd shift?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2006

How do double shifts work? Do you get paid overtime for the 2nd shift?

I work double shifts Saturday and Sunday, and am paid for a 40-hour work week with benefits. It's not a bad deal to have five days off in a row.

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2006

I work 16-hour double shifts. My work shifts seem to fly right by.
I prefer to work two 16-hour shifts per week much rather than the traditional 8-hour shifts for 5 days per week.

I feel the same way. I am trying to get scheduled for regular doubles but there has been a little difficulty finding someone to back me up. Hopefully things will work out.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2006

yes, they are long.

veegeern, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2006

Today was a very looooooong 12 hour shift. It was a very busy day with very needy families (education, support, venting, etc...) of very sick patients, and not enough time to give any of them all that they needed at that moment in time. I can only think of a couple of times that I was bored on a 12 hour shift. I think I was on another floor those times (not med-surg) and either didn't have patients, or had very few patients.

I believe I'm much better organized in a 12 hour shift. Probably has more to do with the way I work than any thing else. I like my 12s with extra time away to recharge. It did take some getting used to...so that I could keep up the energy level for the entire shift.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2006

I have had several nurses tell me they prefer the twelves because they get their charting done before they leave. On eights, they always ended up staying over anyway to chart.