3 Consecutive 12 Hour Shifts

[loconno2]

Working 3 consecutive 12 hour shifts exhausts me. I usally finish the third night by crying in my car on my way home from work. The last shift I worked I had to practically run out of a patient's room because my IBS symptoms were flaring up.

I've started a new job and sure enough I am scheduled for 3 consecutive 12 hour shifts for 3 weeks in a row. I actually quit my first hospital job because of this issue.

At this point I am considering asking about a Baylor position (working weekends only) or getting a note from my doctor saying I cannot work this schedule for health reasons.

What should I do? I like being a nurse. I even like working 12 hour shifts. But every employer (this is my third in 3 years) seems to expect me to work an exhausing schedule to accommodate them.

Honestly, I think it is unreasonable for my employer to expect me to fit a fulltime work schedule in only 3 days. But other employees work this schedule and so I am expected to as well.

Am I being unrealistic?

[mstigerlily]

I think I would like 2 16 hr shifts. I work three 12s nightshift now and it's just perfect. I would LOVE to have five days off in a row.

I like to work 2 12s though and have 3 days off. I've done three in a row before but it's a lot.

Wow... I've never heard of 2-16's, 5 off before. Not sure I could do that.

[rfmages]

# in a row is definitely an issue at alot of facilities, with our last union contract it was instilled that 3 12's in a row were not allowed unless you volunteer for them of course, it seems to make sense, but I like many others would rather do the 3 and then have the rest of the week to goof off.

[ClaireMacl]

I've recently had a run in with my bosses about us being scheduled to work 5 12 hour night shifts in a row every rota (sometimes meaning you work two sets of 5 nights in one month). I'm being investigated for probable SLE (lupus) and find I get sick around day 4 and by my days off, I'm so run down all I do is sleep my days off!

So, I go to the bosses, explain this and they say that because so many people are on fixed rotas and so many others are requesting split nights, my only way around it is to put myself under the scrutiny of occupational health!

I've got the appointment on the 11th, so I'll be very interested to see what they do with me. I've told them its not a matter of my not wanting to do them but to minimise the likelyhood of sickness, so if they turn me down, I'll be getting my union in *sigh*

[PJMommy]

Maybe you need to find a place that does self-scheduling. Or, better yet, bring it up at your current place of employment. If you Google and do a little research, you'll find it is beneficial because it increases nurse satisfaction and retention -- good evidence if you want to argue the point.

We do self-scheduling and I can usually get the three in a row I want and others can get the two in a row, none in row -- whatever each nurse prefers.

Good luck.

[IloveSnoopy]

Hi,

I used to do three 12 hour shifts in a row...and I agree with you..it just about killed me!!! By the third one..I was so tired that I was starting to feel un-safe. I don't know if i'm wimpy or what...but it was just too much. Some of the gals do three in a row and love em'. To each their own I guess. I am doing four 8's now and that works much better for me. I'm sorry your manager isn't being helpful with the situation.....that makes it hard. Good luck to you..maybe you can try talking to her again

Hugs,

snoop'

[enfermeria]

Hey after reading the posts, I wonder if anybody like their job at all:rotfl:

seem like everyone concentrate on dayoffs rather than workdays//

Or we all feel the same way... . If you work three days in a row, I would say that you don't like your job as much... you just want to get it over with and enjoy "other" during your long dayoff without missing going to work... Just kidding. well..it all depends on working environment you are in..

I wonder if the flexible schedule is one things that attract people to become a nurse.. This is one thing I love about nursing..

[flaerman]

I have always worked 3 or more 12 hour shifts in a row, it's tiring but hasn't killed me(theses shifts were worked in 2 different fast paced ER's). I am currently as day shift Admin Nsg Sup and work 4 shifts a week, 2 on/2off, a 4 day weekend stretch(Fri-Mon)/2 off then 2 on and the weekend off. Only time I am really tired is Tue after the long weekend and that's my sleepin day till 10-11 AM. Have been a nurse for 20 yrs and still going strong... flaerman

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

It takes a while to get used to. I have worked 9 12's in a row before but now I just work 2-3 16's in a row .

[mtnmom]

I am now in a night job and 3 in a row is tough...primarily because I do not sleep well during the day....I have tried every possible intervention...white noise, darkened room, melatonin, benadryl, I just wake up after 4 hours wide awake and toss & turn a few more. By night 3 I really feel whipped.

I am really worried because I am scheduled for 4 12s in a row in a week or so (not by my choosing)!!

[sweetielin]

when i first became a nurse, i worked a 3-2 schedule, 12 hr days. a lot of the nurses/cnas loved it because it gave them every other weekend off. i was always tired and never felt rested when i returned to work. when i started on nights, i switched to a 4-3 schedule and i love it. it gives me more days off in a row and i can return to work rested. it could also be due to the fact that i have always been a night owl and have never slept well at night. when i worked days, i only got about 2 hours of sleep at night, then had to return to work exhausted. i admit i am pretty tired on the 4th night but it is all worth it. now i'm not exhausted the whole week. what works for some, doesn't work for everyone. if your supervisor does not make attempts to work with you on this, maybe it is time you moved on to a facility that will work with you on your schedule.

[FroggysMom]

Strangely, one of the reasons I quit my last job was I wanted my 3 12s to be in a row and they always insisted on splitting them up.

I'm with you. I'd just as soon work three 12s in a row than break them up over the week. Problem is we don't have that option right now. I'm hoping someday...

[SaderNurse05, BSN, RN]

I love this site because it is nice to know I am not the only one! I HATE working 3 12 hour days straight (more like 3 14 hour days to be honest). When I get home I cannot feel my feet for about 2 hours. I cry some nights or I have dreams about what I forgot to do, or I stay awake am rehash how I could have done better....I am now looking into public health. Big decrease in pay, increase in sanity and quality of life for me.