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:
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:
thanks in advance !
I WANT 12 hour shifts! Our facility offers them but only on a very limited basis. Never boring, always more than enough to do for the whole 12 hours (and sometimes more). If I ever find a facility that offers only 12s, I'd go!
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:
they are so much better than the 7 and half hour shifts your lucky if you can do them. I work seven and half hours and very rarely finish on time because we are so busy. I would love the chance to work longer days like i used to and get more days off. If i want more days off the only option is to do 14 and half hour shifts!!!!
Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.
Hi
Once you start really working & get a whole assignment of patients, you won;t think the shift is too long. Weather you work an 8 hr or 12 hr. shift, there is NEVER enough time to finish everything!! BRLIEVE ME!!!
When I was a new orientee I found that I was bored because I was doing things as I learned them and not doing everything at once. Once you get your own assignment and you don't have a preceptor doing things behind the scenes then you'll find that you have more than enough to do.
I would definately get used to doing ADL's and getting the hang of those because they will be part of your responsibility along with passing meds, assessments and doctors' orders. You can't always have a tech to rely upon to help with the ADL's, especially on nights.
I do 12 hour days 7a-7p and it can get draggy at times, but I LOVE having four days a week off and having long stretches off to do what I want to do. There is never going to be the "perfect shift" you have to give some to get some. They call it work for a reason.
With a full assignment you wont be bored very often. The time will pass quickly and you may wonder how you will get everything done in just 12 hours.
As for the nurses where you are doing your clinicals--just remember that they were in your shoes at one time. Just give them their space and be open to help whenever possible. They will appreciate little things like you assisting someone to ambulate or use the restroom.
I do believe that with all there is to do in an 8 hour shift (in which i almost always leave an hour late) I could easily go through to 12 hours! I know i look forward to leaving at leaving time but I also know I would have PLENTY to keep me busy for 12 hours:) Funny isnt it? I think the job is tiring and underpaid but i wouldnt swap it for another. I LOVE my job:)
When you're a nurse, just say "it's so boring, there's nothing to do, it's so quiet today". Sit back and watch all hell break loose.
Night shift 12 hours were long for me in the wee hours of the morning sometimes. But dayshift, I'm finding that sometimes 12 hours is not enough. When I do have a slow day, I enjoy it. :)
We are very superstitious and cringe when someone dare says the "Q" word that rhymes with Riot. The rare days that are slow leave me feeling restless but I try and enjoy it (like Tweety says) because it doesn't happen often.
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.
I am lucky I work agency...I only accept 8 hour shifts! Certainly not that it is boring...on the contrary! I know after a few years of working 8's and 12's that after about 8 hours of running that my mind turns to mush and I am slower and not as keen as I was!
I truely believe in working within your limits, I guess my body chooses to stay on an 8 hour workday. I had a job for 4 years working 8 hour days and an ALF (also not boring!), and I guess that is honed into my system.
After those 8 hours, man...I would be walking into rooms wondering what I was there for, forgetting items the patient asked for (like bringing in the blanket but forgetting the ice water and having to backtrack), my charting got slower and typically long winded, and Lord help me if an emergency happened...I would be doing it half minded at times (thank goodness for teamwork).
I tried to keep up on the 12's to no avail...my mind just said no! So knowing that...I only do 8's and have been a happy nursie since :). And I am not the only one that has realized this at my hospital...they just started the 12 hour shift at work, and many of the nurses are having difficulty and declining those shifts choosing 8's instead!
I guess a few hospitals in the area are going to do a study on 8 vs 12 hour days to see how safe and sound it is, and what happens to moral and work satisfaction rates. Bet it won't fly too well at our hospital..LOL!
FroggysMom
132 Posts
I WANT 12 hour shifts! Our facility offers them but only on a very limited basis. Never boring, always more than enough to do for the whole 12 hours (and sometimes more). If I ever find a facility that offers only 12s, I'd go!