Double Shifts

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

The job I was offered recently they just decided my shift will be weekend double shifts from 7 am to 11 pm. then one 3 pm to 11 pm a night during the week. Has anyone ever worked this, and how hard was it?

Specializes in LTC.

I wouldn't like that one bit. I've done 12-hour shifts... 7a-7p and 11a-11p. Those are tolerable, but still make for a long day. The 7-7 is a lot easier because you never stop and slow down. After 9pm the LTC becomes excruciatingly slow and boring. If you've already put in 14 hours it's going to be hard to stay awake and drag yourself through your last rounds.

When I worked the PM shift I'd get home by 11:30 and I couldn't fall asleep for at least a few hours. I can't imagine having to wake up again at 6 in the morning after that.

You might get more days off but to me it wouldn't be worth it because I'd be dreading those long days all week. And then you have that 3-11 halfway through... ehh.

I work agency and I'm not RESTRICTED on how many hours I can work. Three doubles in a row and by the fourth one I am generally exhausted. I have six double shifts scheduled this month. Six hours of sleep is all you really need. Occasionally eight for your body... but ....I like to tortuse myself. :)

Ps i mediatitate heavily during breaks. I am an indigenous soldier though so....

It's all about you in terms of what your capable of doing, in contrast to how many hours you can tolerate. In this profession you have to know yourself. Physically, emotionally and of course spiritually.

Learn to say no and of course challenge yourself but not to a breaking or burn out point.

I'm only working this much because I want to give others Xmas gifts and of course i assessed it putting patient safety first before all else.

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