12 hour shifts?

[DreamyEyes]

Hello LPN's!

I was just wondering...I've been hearing a lot about LPN's and RN's who work 3 12 hour shifts...and then have 4 days off. Do most LPN's do this? Or are there some that work 5 8 hour shifts? I may sound like a work-a-holic when I say this, but when I become an LPN, I really don't want 4 days a week off...sure, it would be nice to just have all those days to relax, but I really would rather work 5 days a week. 4 days off kind of seems like a lot to me, even though you're probably making the same amount of money. Just wondering if most of you work 12 hour shifts....By the way, I really wouldn't mind working 12 hours shifts....I just don't want 4 days off!!

[BigB]

16 Hour shifts? Wow, I don't know if you guys are super heros or just plain crazy. After 12 hours I am BEAT. There is no way I could continue for another four without slapping patients upside the head and telling them to wipe there own darn backsides. My hats off to you who can handle that. That is dedication pure and simple.

I don't have a choice in the matter....working for the state means I am subject to involuntary overtime...if they is an open shift someone has to fill it wherether they want to or not. swaping shifts and doing 16, 16, 8 or 16, 8 , 16 allows me to to control my scedule, spend more time with the family, and not be subject to the random involentary OT.

[LPN01112005]

We are a 12 hour shift facility. There are very, very few nurses who work 5 8's. It's tiresome while I'm on my three days, but I do enjoy the 4 days off afterward. If I could find a facility that would let me work 5 8's in a row, I'd prefer it, but around here, unless you work in a dr's office, your days get split up and you don't get days off together very often.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In my area (DFW, Texas), the nursing homes and other extended care facilities frequently have 8 hour shifts. For instance, my facility has nurses who work the 6-2pm shift, 2-10pm shift, and 10-6am shift Monday through Friday. These floor nurses always have Saturday and Sunday off, unless they sign up for overtime to work on the weekend.

For weekend coverage, my workplace has weekend nurses who work the "Baylor Plan." I am one of thw weekend nurses who has Monday through Friday off, works 16 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday, and gets paid for the full 40 hour workweek. I love having 5 days off in a row.

[miss_anneRN]

There is another message board discussing this issue. try the link below for more info:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f31/8-hr-shifts-vs-12-hr-shift-184702.html

[jill48, ASN, RN]

I prefer the 12 hour shifts. My kids are a little older and don't need me as much as they did when they were little. Plus, I'm one of those anal retentive type A personalities that likes to finish everything I start, by my own choice, of course. Plus, if I feel like working those other days, it's good overtime. But that's just me. Good luck.:wink2:

[catslave]

We work 12 hour shifts on the weekend and get paid for 32 hours which is considered part time - no benefits. If you work the 12 hour weekend shift picking up an 8 hour shift during the week you're considered full time. Any hours worked over your physically worked 24 or 32 hour work week is not paid in overtime unless you physically work over 40 hours.

I work 2 12's & an 8 and it works for my family situation having 4 days off. Some of the other nurses that do this work per diem at other facilities during their days off.

I'd love to work 2 16 hour shifts on the weekend with Mon - Fri off.

[anniev]

I love 12's but I do spend my first day off in pj's all day but the other 3 are mine!

[mstigerlily]

My hospital has 4, 6, 8 and 12 hour shifts. I loathe 12s. Tired and you don't see your family. 12's appeal to most of the younger nurses but once they have children their attitude changes.

Huh, that's not been my experience at all. Most of the hospitals around here have 12 hr shifts only and all the nurses I know on my unit have kids, especially the night shift, some of them even 4+ kids.