DDNN schedule- need opinions please

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi

Our unit may be switching to a DDNN with 5 off schedule. We currently work 2on 2 off, 3 on 2 off with only 2 weeks of nights.( 1 being 2 8hr shifts). Most of us take that week off using 2 stats (therefore we get a week of only using 15hrs)

What do you like or dislike about the DDNN schedule? I would really like to know... There seems to be alot

of partial weekends... and alot more nights..

The alternating schedule is very painful, very unhealthy, I think, for most people.

Can't your facility make straight shifts possible? Working all Days or all Nights makes it easier to adjust your life and sleep schedules.

ruralgirl08

274 Posts

Specializes in med-surg, OR.

I personally like the DDNN over the traditional b/c I feel like I get more of a break away from work. You get a partial day off in between the switch from days to nights, so it is not that bad working 4 shifts in a row.

It is also much easier to take vacation with DDNN, just take your set off and you have 2 weeks off:) Which is great for the people who like to travel. You usually have a whole new set of patients when you come back after your set. One of the down sides are: more nights, some months you are working more weekends, you are usually a bit more cranky on your last night, and really it feels like you get only 4 days off because you are sleeping most of the day on your first day off.

I guess there are pros and cons to both, but I personally still like DDNN over a traditional rotation. I don't mind my job, but I really do need that break from work to keep coming back with a smile.

(I wish we could work 3 12s a week and this would be considered full-time hours. They seem to get this in the states, to me that would be the best schedule)

Guest505077

69 Posts

I wish our employer would offer straight days in our unit - they don't.

It doesn't matter if you have been there 3mtns or 20years... We work 5weeks in a row days, then the 2 weeks of nights... I like that I only have to work 5 12hr nights in 7weeks ( the 2 8hrs -I take off with stats- then I also get a week off every 6weeks. That's not including vacation time...

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I can work days OR nights. I can't handle the switching up.....too hard on this old body.

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