DDNN schedule- need opinions please

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2011

The alternating schedule is very painful, very unhealthy, I think, for most people.

Can't your facility make straight shifts possible? Working all Days or all Nights makes it easier to adjust your life and sleep schedules.

ruralgirl08 · Jun 1, 2011

I personally like the DDNN over the traditional b/c I feel like I get more of a break away from work. You get a partial day off in between the switch from days to nights, so it is not that bad working 4 shifts in a row.

It is also much easier to take vacation with DDNN, just take your set off and you have 2 weeks off:) Which is great for the people who like to travel. You usually have a whole new set of patients when you come back after your set. One of the down sides are: more nights, some months you are working more weekends, you are usually a bit more cranky on your last night, and really it feels like you get only 4 days off because you are sleeping most of the day on your first day off.

I guess there are pros and cons to both, but I personally still like DDNN over a traditional rotation. I don't mind my job, but I really do need that break from work to keep coming back with a smile.

(I wish we could work 3 12s a week and this would be considered full-time hours. They seem to get this in the states, to me that would be the best schedule)

Guest505077 · Jun 1, 2011

I wish our employer would offer straight days in our unit - they don't.

It doesn't matter if you have been there 3mtns or 20years... We work 5weeks in a row days, then the 2 weeks of nights... I like that I only have to work 5 12hr nights in 7weeks ( the 2 8hrs -I take off with stats- then I also get a week off every 6weeks. That's not including vacation time...

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2011

I can work days OR nights. I can't handle the switching up.....too hard on this old body.