Hi all. I just started clinicals at the hospital a few weeks ago and we are there from only 6-2. We are only doing basic ADL's and observation right now but the time goes by so slow. (we are on a med surg floor, BTW) There just really is not much going on much of the time. I find myself watching the clock! :uhoh21:
We are at a fairly small hospital and so far many of the nurses on the floor have not been very receptive to us (understandably so) but those who have we have tried to learn from without intruding too much ....but there's still alot we can't do as students.
I guess my question is, as a nurse, is the 12 hour shift boring and long ?
I remember walking out of there thinking I can't believe some of them will be here til 7 or 8 at night. :uhoh21:
OK, just a comment here. I am just a unit secretary, but I have seen my nurses run their butts off all 12 hours without a break! I work night shift in an APCU at a large county hospital, and between regular patient care and admits all night long, we rarely have downtime. On the occasions that we do, and all the charting is done, etc., I, along with several of the RN's and a couple LPN's and PCT's that are going to school, utilize the time by studying for our classes. Sometimes it's the only study time we get in a day, because when we're not working, we're in class or trying to catch up on some much-neglected sleep!!!
Hi all. I just started clinicals at the hospital a few weeks ago and we are there from only 6-2. We are only doing basic ADL's and observation right now but the time goes by so slow. (we are on a med surg floor, BTW) There just really is not much going on much of the time. I find myself watching the clock! :uhoh21:
Hi
I am about to graduate in 7 weeks so I know what the clinical experience is like -- I also work as a Unit Secretary in the hospital I have done my clinicals and I will tell you, those nurses never stop. If they actually get to take a 1/2 lunch break, that is an accomplishment. Although as someone said the day can be long, there is always plenty to do. We are a little limited as students, but just shadowing a nurse and learning from her/him has been great experience in itself for me.
Does anyone have advice or opinion to offer about working 8hr vs 12 hr shifts? Working days, vs evenings, vs nights? I would love to know what others can tell me about this.
There just really is not much going on much of the time. I find myself watching the clock!
I haven't had a job yet, no matter how short the hours, where I didn't find myself at least often looking at the clock and being flabergasted that only 20 minutes went by when it seemed like I'd been there for at least 2 hours.
Specializes in Progressive Care Unit/Observation, Critical Care.
Hi
I am about to graduate in 7 weeks...
Does anyone have advice or opinion to offer about working 8hr vs 12 hr shifts? Working days, vs evenings, vs nights? I would love to know what others can tell me about this.
Thanks!!
Generally, working 12-hour shifts means more time off than working 8-hour shifts. Working nights is hard to get used to if your facility expects you to flip from days to nights, or vice versa.
What would work best for your situation is the best advice one could offer. Do you have kids? Steer away from evenings...
It also depends on "where" you'll be working in your hospital - 12 hours can be a long time on a med-surg floor - but if you're in the ICU, and it's hopping, 12 hours will fly by.
Good luck and enjoy nursing...remember, your patients don't want to be there. Treat them as you would want your own relatives to be treated...
I work 8 hour shifts presently and I have worked 12 hour shifts in the past. Take this advice from me, 12 hour shifts are much better. You do exactly the same things a 12 hour shift does but in less time so I have to manage my time much better. 8 hour night shifts are the worst because you start at 2330 and end at 0730. The hospital I am at is still doing tape reports, thus, by the time I am finished with report, it is 0015 if I am lucky. Why take so long for report??? Call bells, and looking through the kardex for 8-10 pts. By the time I come out from report, most pts are asleep. I have no choice but to do my rounds at 0400 because I also have to d/c foleys, d/c ivs, do dressing changes, discharge teachings, and also do early morning admissions before my shift ends at 0730. When I do not leave on time, I do not get OT nor do I get a pat on the back for work well done. Instead I get scolded at by my manager that I am not organized. I am currently 25 years old, and writing this message to you on my sick day and is about to be on my way to my dr's office. Why am I still working there?? I won't be soon. Sorry about venting about my problems here but as you can see, I am very burned out to the point where I am sick.
yup -- sounds like my old job -- where the work was never done, my boss would never give me help, did not care I was in school too -- work 60 hours a week, get paid for 40 --- venting does good!! Hope things get better!!!
not all the time those nurses on the floor are forgetting one important thing they were once students also use your eyes and ears if no one is willing to step out and help you be nosey ask questions no question is stupid when it comes to dealing with patients
I think twelve hour shifts are very long, they usually go over the 12 hours also which is a torture. I did clinicals in a small community hospital...work is nothing like that at all. It is hard, and very fast...long, yes...you just want to go home on time and you cannot. Never boring. Nancy
Dear New Nurse,, You have a lot to learn, it will come and you will see that 12 hrs is never enough to do what needs to be done... Look around and you will find things you can do ,,, just pass some ice, or go and talk to a patient ,, fluff pillows, or rub someones back...Dont just sit and think you can not wait to get off shift, you are there to HELP someone..Thanks
stevenking, BSN, LPN, RN, EMT-B
102 Posts
Are 12-hour shifts long and drawn out? I've done four-hour fills that were "long" and drawn out... :)
I am happy that we have 'web enabled computers at our patients bedsides...so, if I catch a little down time...I can surf, surf, surf away...
Steven King
The Kingster
http://www.myspace.com/loverofeagles