8 hr shifts vs. 12 hr shift

when i was still in the phils, i was just used to working 8 hr shift which is just enough for me.when i went here in the us, i was assigned in er then tele and i worked 3 12 hr shift.i feel very exhausted after.the positive thing is if you still want to do some part time job, you can do it more if you are working 12 hrs because you still have 4 days left(just plan how many days you want off).i used to work weekends(fri-sun) 12 hrs and work flexible time in home health on weekdays. i enjoyed it.goodluck and i hope this helps...

I work two 12's and two 8's mostly day shifts. The 8's seem to fly by, but I don't mind the 12's so much because you usually keep the same group of patients, maybe pick up one or two new ones, so it's not so bad. But after two 12's in a row I'm beat! But it's better than going into work another day.

I work 12's, I would rather work 12's and would love to have them back to back so that I have all those days off in a row, BUT, it is draining. I live 30 minutes from my work, so by the time I get home, it's get a shower, eat something quick, tuck my kids in, and go to bed. I get up at 5 am, leave by 6 am, then home around 8:15 pm. It's hard, but the days off are worth it. PLUS, doing them back to back allows for better continuity of care because you usually get the same group of patients. I am in my late 30's, so who knows, by the time I reach mid 40's I may change my tune!! But for now 12's work.

Are the majority of the shifts out there 12 hour shifts? Or 8's? I have not experienced any nursing shifts so I don't know what I would like better (I'm a pre-nursing student), but I can imagine for me the 12 hour shifts would be better. I had to do 12 (or more ) hour shifts a lot where I worked, and I didn't mind them much at all. It was also not a nursing job (a crappy retail job, with really bad management and a lot of call outs, hence the reason I worked a lot of 12+ hour shifts!). I didn't mind staying late after an 8 hour shift, but hated coming in on my days off and working 6-7 days a week! I would rather do it all in as little days as possible!

Are the 12 hour shifts harder to get than the 8 hour shifts? What about the night shifts, are they easier to get? I am a night person and I think I would rather 12 hour night shifts..
Sorry everytime I post I always have so many questions! Good thing I have 4 years until I worry about all this

I work Ortho, also. After three 12 hour shifts I'm dragging but the 4 days off is totally worth it!

I love my 12 hour shifts, not only does it give you 4 days off a week but you can also pick up an additional shift here and there for the overtime. I am tired after a shift but look at it this way, if you work 8 hours 5 days a week you still have to go home and clean, cook, run around which is tiresome also. This way you work and sleep three, run and clean 4... isnt life grand/

Another one who loves 12-hour shifts. It's exhausting for sure, but so are 8-hour shifts. I enjoy having four days off a week, which leaves me time for a life and to go to school.

I also love 12 hour shifts BUT I found I personally can not work more than 2 in a row or I start to get grouchy and burned out. I am lucky to work at a facility that allows me to self schedule. My co-workers sometimes make fun of me (calling me a wuss) but 3 in a row is just too much for my little brain to handle. I will NEVER work 8's again, even if it means no nights or holidays, its just not worth it to me.

I prefer working 12 hours as well. Though I just started orientation, my schedule will vary, like this week I'm working 2 twelve's and 2 eight's...and then next week I'm working 5 eights I think....personally I couldn't stand working 5 8's in a row. Rather have more days off.

The only problem is that I NEVER get out of that stupid hospital EVEN when I'm on a 12 Hour shift. I hate it.