Am I the only one who hates 12 hour shifts?

Based on some things I've read on this website, I know that I'm not, but I just cannot STAND how 12 hour work days consume my life! There is no time to do anything besides work on those days and prepare for the next work day. I would be so much happier if I could switch to 8s or 10s or even some combo of 8 and 12s... I need to be able to exercise and take care of myself in order to be happy at work!

Mostly I just needed to rant because I know I can't address this yet as a new grad, but has anyone else felt this way and taken action to get a better schedule? Better hours would make work a billion times better!

Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

Seriously, how many of you who want 8s and currently work daytime 12s would be willing to work the 3PM-11PM shift 5 days a week or work rotating days/evening and nights? If the industry went to 8s, then 1/3 of the 7a-7p RNs would have to switch to evening shift to cover staffing needs... simple math. That means 1/3 of the current day shifters go from having dinner with family 4 days a week to dinner with family 2 days a week. The only alternative is everyone rotates days/evenings/nights.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
SummitRN said:
Seriously, how many of you who want 8s and currently work daytime 12s would be willing to work the 3PM-11PM shift 5 days a week or work rotating days/evening and nights? If the industry went to 8s, then 1/3 of the 7a-7p RNs would have to switch to evening shift to cover staffing needs... simple math. That means 1/3 of the current day shifters go from having dinner with family 4 days a week to dinner with family 2 days a week. The only alternative is everyone rotates days/evenings/nights.

I used to work the 3-11 shift five days a week and couldn't stand it, so I wrote an article about it a few months ago: https://allnurses.com/that-dreaded-shift-t460427/

Many members responded that they loved it. To each his/her own.

Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.

As a bedside nurse, I simply do not want to see needy patients or their demanding family members five days per week. I do not want to see the faces of my managers or coworkers five days per week. I simply do not want to be at the workplace five days per week.

Aaaah this is the situation I'm in! I feel like I'm always at work!

Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
TheCommuter said:
I used to work the 3-11 shift five days a week and couldn't stand it, so I wrote an article about it a few months ago: https://allnurses.com/that-dreaded-shift-t460427/

Many members responded that they loved it. To each his/her own.

There is a minority that does like the 3-11, but not 1/3 of the day shift RNs. As you pointed out in your article, hospitals went to 12s because they had trouble staffing 3-11 (and noct).

For those wanting to see their family every day, some hospitals adopted the 4a-4p and 4p-4a 12 hour shifts noting easier child care and family life for the 4a-4p versus 7a-7p and better retention on the 4p-4a versus 7p-7a.

Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

They are really long shifts, I'll give you that - but you can't beat the long stretches of time off. :)

Specializes in neuro/ortho med surge 4.

If I had to rotate shifts I would quit ASAP. Before I became a nurse in one week I worked one 7a-3p, two 3p-11p and two 11p-7am. Talk about miserable. Never knew if I was coming or going.

I used to hate 12-hour shifts when I worked in the surgical ICU. The only thing I liked about them was that if I schedule it back to back, I open up several days off of work. That's something I miss now that I'm 8-5 as a nurse liaison. Still like the 8-5 much better, but there are days I'd like to go back to 3 12s and just get the week over with..

I would be much happier with 8-hour shifts. Imagine being able to go out to eat, make a dentist appointment, grocery shop or *gasp* SEE YOU FAMILY and work- on the same day!

Imagine being able to go out to eat, make a dentist appointment, grocery shop or *gasp* see your family and work- on the same NIGHT!

Yeah, I can't imagine it either.

Specializes in Intermediate Care.

I used to work rotating day/night 12 hour shifts in southern California. When I moved back home to northern California working part time (3- 8 hour shifts per week) I thought I would be much happier. Now I find myself scrambling to find a job at a 12 hour shift hospital because I need the extra $$ and the thought of spending 5 days a week at my current job literally makes me sick :yuck:!!

Specializes in Intermediate Care.

When I know I have to work that night I finding myself dreading it all day and not able to truly enjoy. Plus in order to make through the night without passing out during my shift I have to be home early and take a nap before going into work... but maybe its just me??

I hate working 12 hours and not being able to do anything else on those days, but mostly I just hate working nights. I would put myself on the list to switch to days, but I need the extra money.

All that said, I would hate working 5 days a week even more. I would only look for an 8 hour shift job if I had family responsibilities and I could get days shift. Actually, if I was married I would be looking for day shift.

I heard of a PCT who had some 1100 to 2300 shifts - sounds like the perfect rotation to me!

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