8hr vs. 12hr work days

Specialties Management

Published

I cant help but wonder if the nursing profession would benefit from lowering the number of hours worked in a day. I know that most nurses enjoy the extra days off by working 3 twelve hour shifts a week but those last few hours of the day come when the staff is tired and isnt that when errors are more likely to occur? It seems to me that splitting the day into 3 eight hour shifts would cut down on nurse fatigue and therefore cut down on nursing errors. Plus that would allow more time to recover before the next shift. What are some ways that you have been able to combat fatigue? What do you think about shorter work days for nurses in general?

Oh no, how awful. I will pray for your situation.

Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

[My disclaimer I am assuming full time status.]

Has it been considered that moving from 8 hour shifts to 12 hour shifts has contributed to the loss of cohesion among staff? We are only there 3 days a week, instead of 5. And if the 12 hour shifts rotate, we may not run into the same nurse for quite a few days or a week. When all nurses worked 8 hour shifts we often would hand off our patients to the same nurse and get report from the same ones.

Just a thought.

That is a good observation, and I think you are right. However, i also think they can work the 12 hr shift the same way- if the scheduling person can get to the idea that a lot of people want the same days on and off, and set up a routine, we can still see the same staff on the same days. Back in the 80's when we did 8 hr shifts, we were happy to get for example, Tuesdays and Weds off every week for years. We just wanted that stability. At that time there wasn't this ideal and desire of getting all the weekends off. We knew what industry we were in, we knew it was 24/7, and we just didn't expect to have weekends off. The worst shedules I have been on were the rotating ones, that had a goal of giving everyone a weekend off every so many rotations. Horrible. I could do that schedule when I was in my 20's and had no family or responsibilities, but not once I had a family and a farm and a church etc. I can even work NOCs on Sundays, no big deal. But I would prefer it be a solid routine. So I know what to expect every time.

The next worst scheduling nightmare was in a SNF that had a large medicare wing, two actually. There were 4 wings, it was big. But there was an 8 hr shift schedule, and it had to mesh with a 12 hr schedule. Well, there were days when my 12 hours were extended to 16 unexpected hours because the scheduler did not tell me or ask me to stay over till 11 pm. I just kept waiting for my relief and it never came, So there I was till 11 pm. This happened many times. And the worse thing was that I lived an hour away. So there was that long drive. And my husband was none too happy. He wanted me outta there.

Well depending on what you think is older, I am 50 and I prefer 12 hr shifts. I just want to do my time and then take care of my goats and husband and church the rest of the week.

Specializes in Psych.

I *like* working 8s, the downfall to that is if you get mandated, which happens fairly frequently where I work, you are working 16 hours which I assure you, is not so much fun.

I have been a nurse for about 10 years now. I have worked 12 hour shifts and 8 hour shifts. They both have their pros and cons. I just accepted an 8 hour/day RN position at a doctor's office. I will miss having days off during the week, but I will love being home at night with my family. Those 12 hours are brutal, especially during crazy hectic shifts.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I wouldn't do this job if it were 5 days a week. I enjoy nursing more than my office gigs but the compressed work week was a huge draw for me.

Specializes in ICU.

I would hate eight hour shifts. I am trying to get a second job because I cannot support myself on one job, and I'm wondering how you'd have any time off at all if you had to work five days a week at one job and then try to squeeze another job in on your days off. At least if you're only working three days a week at your main job, you can pick up one or two days somewhere else and still have two days per week off...

Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.

I love my 12s on days/evenings, especially if scheduled 3 days in a row. It sucks to miss the world for 3 days/week, but I like the pt continuity on the unit, and days off to enjoy the rest of my life and projects.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I like 8s but I like having the days off during the week like working 12s. Right now since I'm pregnant I wish I could work 8s, I know working 12s will kill me. But when I work 12s it's so much easier to schedule doctor's appointments since I get days off during the week & don't have to take time off.

I've worked 8hr and 12 hr shifts, and I think I definitely like 12 hr ones better. You get more days off and I feel like I have more time to get everything done in my shift.

My goal is to get a 12 hour shift job.. I would love it if it happened to be three days in a row...

Since I have no children, I would see it as a reason to hybernate from the outside world for three days and then enjoy my four days off... I see it as not a big deal or tiring, because during clinicals when I had my 12 hour shifts, I literally slept all day long, ate quickly, showered and went to the hospital... then came home, slept and repeated it again.

It wasn't bad for me and that would be my dream shift!!!

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