Can you work more then 16hrs in a day

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Was told in nursing school you couldn't work more then 16hrs at a single site( up to employers if it was dfferent sites)but couldn't find much online other then allnurse forum questions from other states with varying answers. Home health care agency I work for wants me to do a 9p-7a at one site then do a 8a-8p at another. I don't mind doing it but are we even allowed to in Florida?

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Specializes in ICU.

I have no clue if you can from a legal standpoint, but that doesn't sound safe at all. The potential for committing unintentional errors is so much higher when you're exhausted. If you feel that you're able to handle it then that's great, but don't forget to protect your license!

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Specializes in Public Health.

That's more than 24 hours counting travel time, contact the labor board.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

Wait.....they WANT you to do that? Back to back? When do they think you will sleep? I can't imagine them thinking that wasn't a liability risk.

What if you make an error? Or fall asleep on the job? Will they have your back because they wanted you to work those hours, or will they throw you under the bus for working when you were too sleepy to be safe?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I wouldn't do that....

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Yes you can. As long as you don't work over 24 hours.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

That would be greater than 24hs when are you going to sleep? You may be eager but your agency won't back you if you fall asleep or have a sentinel event.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
Yes you can. As long as you don't work over 24 hours.

please tell us that there is no connection between your thoughts and your action as in what you are thinking and what you are typing. Do you have anything to back up your expert advice?

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Is this a one-time, emergency request, or is the employer proposing this on a regular, ongoing basis? When are you supposed to sleep? If you're considering doing this on an ongoing basis, keep in mind (as already noted) that if (when) you make a work error or wreck your car from lack of sleep, that will be entirely your responsibility, and you can't blame anything on the employer.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, NICU.

I would strongly advise against it. You will put yourself and the patients you are caring for in danger. Also, if you were to wreck your car after working all day and all night without any sleep, you would be no good to them dead. Is it really worth it?

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