I've come to the conclusion...

World International

Published

Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

That we're pretty lucky here down under regarding the awards we work under. Some of the working conditions described on the other forums sound so horrible to me. Having to work a night shift then back on for an afternoon shift etc...

What do you guys think? Has anyone here nursed overseas?

Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

Its the twelve hour shifts that get me. I know I feel I've had it after a 10 and a half hour night duty! I don't think I could work a late after a night shift. We work lates before nights, but that is like having a full day off!

12 hour shifts are wonderful. You work almost exclusively for 3 days straight and have no life, but the pay off is the 4, sometimes even 5 or 6 days off in a row. You can travel or have a mini holiday without using all your annual leave. 5

If you have little ones it doesn't work as well, especially if you don't have good day care.

Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

So there are 12 hour shifts in Australia? I must admit, working 3 - 4 days a week is rather tempting...

You sure can! I work ten hour nights but can't do the days. We have ten hour morning and afternoon shifts as well as the eights and it's up to us if we want to work them. The problem is that we are so short staffed that you don't end up having the time off.

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