RNs working swing shift

MJB2010 · Oct 2, 2012

When you say "swing shift" do you mean rotating between nights and days? Or do you mean 3-11?

Tobygo2 · Oct 3, 2012

When you say "swing shift" do you mean rotating between nights and days? Or do you mean 3-11?

I mean straight 3-11:30 shift, not rotating. Thanks!

sharpeimom · Oct 3, 2012

It worked well for us because our animals got lots of attention, the dog went out as needed, we

had my days off to do things, my husband is a night owl so he always waited up for me.

Nurse ABC · Oct 3, 2012

Depends on what your husband works, if you have kids and how old they are, etc. I loved evenings when I first got married and before I had kids. It wasn't so hectic at work and it didn't mess up my sleep schedule like nights did. I'm not a morning person either so it was nice not having to get up early. However, I wouldn't get home until almost midnight then it would take me a couple hours to unwind so I'd sleep until around 10-11. That left only left me a couple hours before I had to get ready for work because I had to leave around 2pm so I felt like I got nothing done when I worked. I still preferred it to nights because with those I felt constantly exhausted and never slept well.

GeneralJinjur · Oct 3, 2012

I could see it working well with a spouse. In my case, I have 3 school-aged kids, so it was a bust. I agree about not going to bed right away after work. If I was in bed by 12:30 and asleep by 1:00, that was fantastic. When my kids are all grown up, I would choose a swing shift.

sharpeimom · Oct 3, 2012

I worked either 3-11 or 7pm-7am and both worked for us, but we don't have kids.

My husband teaches on the college level so his schedule changes semester by semester.

He'd get up when I got home -- or rather, when I drag him out of bed by his toes. A

morning person he ain't!

I liked both shifts but would rather work three 12s, than several 8's in a row anytime.

Coming home and going right to bed after a 3-11 shift, can be like going to bed right after

the 6:30 news when you work days. It was usually 2 or 2:30 am before I was ready for bed.

That wouldn't work as well with little kids.

RNperdiem, RN · Oct 3, 2012

I worked 3-11 as a nursing student. It makes a good student job, but I wouldn't work it as a wife and mother.

When I worked that shift, I would spend all day before work looking at my watch and counting down the time until I had to get dressed and go to work. The free time doesn't feel all that free if you have to ration your energy and be have to be deciding what errands can fit in before work.

3-11 also got the majority of admissions. 7-3 discharges or transfers patients, and 3-11 fills the beds.

If I worked those hours now, I would never see my kids except on a couple of days off. Cooking and enjoying fresh hot-cooked dinners with a glass of wine would be swapped for a hurried dinner warmed over in the microwave 5 out of 7 nights.

That shift was a tough one to staff. There seemed to be more job openings than people willing to work evenings.

NBMom1225 · Oct 3, 2012

It can be a difficult shift if you have a family. My first RN job was 3p-11:30p, and because of the way my schedule was (I didn't have the option of changing it). I never saw my kids after school, got home after they went to bed, and rarely got to see them before they went to school. I transferred to another unit onto day shift after 6 months because it was way too hard on my family life. Now I work midnights and I love it! I can see the kids before school, sleep all day till they get home...a much better solution for my family, and since they're teens none of us usually gets up before noon on the weekends I have off anyway, lol.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2012

I am currently working 7a to 3p. I have done the 3-11. I actually liked it, but you have to stay disciplined. I would make sure and get to bed by 1230 and then set the alarm for 0730. Get up and get moving. Hit the gym, run errands etc. The problem becomes when you sleep until 10 or 11 and then the day is pretty much shot. I will work ANYTHING other than nights. That to me is close to pure hell and I think it aged me by 10 years in about 6 months.