Change from 5 8 hour shifts s week to 12 hour rotations.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

I'm an LTC Nurse and for the past year I've worked a facility who worked five 8 hour shifts a week. 6 months evening shift. 6 months night shift. I have to admit it was very tiring. Working 5 nights straight with only 2 days off on the flip side is emotionally exhausting and it often feels like family life takes a back seat. Well we have made a switch to a 12 hour rotation. Other Nurses I have to talked to love it. They said the feel as if they are off all the time and have way more time for family. I have transitioned to the 12 hour night shift rotation. Opinions ?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Ultimately, this depends on your preferences. When I worked the floor in a nursing home, I preferred 12-hr and 16-hr shifts over 8-hr shifts.

For me, longer compressed shifts reduced the number of days per week that I shared face time with nursing home residents, their families, and coworkers. In addition, I have more days off per week.

However, some people prefer 8-hour shifts. I now work 8-hour days, but it is in a role that doesn't involve patient care. If I ever return to doing patient care, there's no way I could devote five days of face time to patients every week.

As I stated previously, it is all about one's preferences.

[loriangel14, RN]

I switched from 8 hour shifts to 12s and I love them. The longer shift took a bit of getting used to but ultimately I am at work less days.

[StrawberryEssence81]

I've been working in LTC for about a year now. All of my shifts have been 12 hours, except now I work Baylor shift. 1-8 hr shift on Friday night and 2-12 hour shifts Saturday and Sunday. I love my schedule.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I personally would have stayed at the bedside if 8 hour shifts had been an option. Here's why. With 12 hours, all you really have time to do is work, commute, sleep and shower. With eights you can still see your family, grocery shop, run errands and NOT short yourself on sleep to do so. The majority of the world works 5 eights. They seem to do just fine. I just wish it were an option.

[nobodywarnedme]

We work 8 hour shifts, our problem is that we are always short staffed & our 8 hr shifts turn into 10 hour shifts (usually w/out breaks). I am too burned out when I leave work to do anything & my days off are spent catching up on sleep missed & trying to get things done around the house. At least with 12 hr shifts it would be less time at work overall.

[SharonmarieLPN]

I do three 12 hr shifts one week and 4 the next. It ties as my favorite schedule. It's all about preference.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

Thanks everyone for your replies. So far in loving the 12 hour rotation way better than the 5 straight eight hour shifts. [emoji106]🏻! I have more motivation to get out of there and I'm always ready to come back !