How many 12's?

[fleur-de-lis]

Just curious, how many 12 hour shifts have you worked in a row? How many do you think are safe to work in a week?

I am a ABSN student in my last semester (residency), and this summer I am doing two 12's with a clinical preceptor and one 8 with the nurse manager as a part of my management class. On top of that, I do one 12 at a different hospital in a paid position as a student nurse/tech. I start this schedule tomorrow, and I am wondering what I am in for! This week I have a day off after two 12's, then do my 3rd 12 and the 8. The week after that I am scheduled to do the three 12's and 8 all in a row, but I might try and switch up the schedule. Thanks for any thoughts! (Off to sleep now, must conserve energy!!!)

[caliotter3]

I've worked with many people who work 16 hours daily, 7 days a week. It depends on what you can handle and for how long.

[angel's RN]

When our unit first opened, and we were all "getting in the groove", our staff turn-over was big. From Oct. the first year to July the next, I worked Mon.-Thurs. 7p-7a EVERY week. After the first few months, it really wasn't too bad. You kinda get used to it after a while, and you don't feel the aches and pains as bad.

's RN

[cjmue12]

I just went to day shift a few months ago after working nights for 15 years. As far as nights go, if you are full time and can handle it, might as well do 3 in a row. Your first day off is a waste no matter how many in a row you do. I actually have read some research articles though about how much your risk for med errors goes up after working 8 vs 12 hour shifts, and the risk goes up 12-15% with each consecutive 12 hour shift in a row. I can say that on the rare occasions I have done 4 and 5 12's in a row, I feel I havent given as great of care as I did on my 1st. Then again, how many of us go back to work on our first 12, and have been up for over 24 hours??? No easy solution.

[angel's RN]

Dear cjmue12,

I had a Pain Management MD refuse to treat me because I worked 3-12 hour shifts a week instead of 5-8 hour shifts. I asked the guy whre in the h---(sorry!) :chair: I could find a 5 day a week, 8 hour a day job, and he told me that ANY hospital would make a job for a "good" RN if s/he would only ask. Obviously, you can imagine what I told him!! And, he didn't like it, and I didn't care!!

's RN

[cjmue12]

With the shortage of nurses you would think they would offer the option of different shifts. Honestly though, most people where I work prefer 12's so they can have that one extra day off. I have done a few 16 hour shifts and I felt good until the next day when I was a complete slug. Its like recovering from a hangover:zzzzz