Death by schedule

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 24, 2016

Are you over age 18? Do you have at least 8 hours off between shifts? If so it's perfectly legal.

If under 18 child labor laws apply including maximum hours, mandated breaks and time off

historylovinglpn · Jul 24, 2016

I worked at a place where I did 7 on, 1 day off , then 3 on, 3 off, rinse and repeat. Sure I got 3 off in a row but that 7 day stretch...KILLED me. SO yeah.. I got my 4 days off, it was just split.

I lasted a year doing that.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jul 25, 2016

If you're not happy with that schedule and the higher-ups won't change it, spend your off time wisely by looking for another job. You can't control your employer's staffing methods as long as they are compensating you for the hours worked. But, they can't make you stay with them either. I would move on! However, I've never moved on from point A until I had the address to point B. :up: As I've gotten older, I start frowning on day #2 and three in a row just buries me! :dead: Five in a row is an abomination in my book.

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Jul 25, 2016

It may be legal, but it is unsustainable for most people. I did 5 nights a week (with 2 days off in between) for about 4 months, until my mental and physical health pretty much collapsed. I had zero quality of life during those months.

I can do just fine working three 12s overnight. But five 8s? That is just torture. I would never, ever do that again. Would work at McDonalds before I would do that again.

enuf_already · Jul 25, 2016

OP, is this a schedule that continues to rotate like this (work 5 off 1)? If so, I hope you are hourly and they don't forget to pay you time and a half for anything over 40 hours per week.

I believe this kind of schedule is legal but is certainly not conducive to staff retention or job satisfaction.

You can look for another job but make sure you clarify what the working hours will be before you sign on the dotted line.

Good luck!

beekee · Jul 25, 2016

I have been doing both overnight and day shifts in the same week for over 2 months now. This must be what hell is like. I leave at 3 pm on Tuesday and need to be back at 11 pm on Wednesday and then leave at 7 am on Saturday and back at 6:30 am Sunday. I quit.

Sisternorth · Jul 26, 2016

Thank you all for your wonderful advice/comments. I am currently looking for another position.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2016

I worked Monday through Friday from 10pm to 6:30am for a few months. My experience was bleak and isolating. I spent my time either at work or in bed asleep.

I handled three 12-hour night shifts per week (6:00pm to 6:30am) just fine for many years. However, I struggled to cope with 8-hour night shifts, especially five in a row.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2016

When I worked full time 12 hr nights, they'd put me on 3/off 1/on 3 every 3rd week. So basically I had a rotation of a week off, a 72 hr week, and then a 36 hr week. It wasn't sustainable for me...I lasted maybe 6 months doing that. The week off was pretty worthless sandwiched between a 36 and a 72 hr week. I never ever felt rested.

Hope you get a new position soon! (I see your follow-up that you're looking)

cisneroj · Jul 31, 2016

I have to say night shift sucks. I have done 5 eight hour days and 12 hour days and the 12s are much better. But I never complain about work, since I got my license I have always had more then one job. Sometimes I would work 20 hour days got home sleep and do it all again. You dont have to work in LTC, try drug and alcohol detox it pays so much more and its easier. I know some LPNs who work at 2-3 different detoxs and they make 60-70k a year, 1 full time and 2 PRN.

So search for a detox in your area and apply, its a different kind of nursing, but worth the money