Do you prefer 12 hour or 8 hour shifts?

Specialties MICU

Published

As far as ICU goes, would you rather work three 12 hour shifts per week or four 8 hour shifts per week? Why?

Just curious.. ;)

Perhaps I didn't express myself correctly. I simply meant looking at what I do in 12 hours I find it difficult to envision it being done in 8. I am so engrained in 12 hour shifts that I forget 8 hours would encompass 4 hours less work and not simply less time to do the same amount -math not my strong suit:uhoh3:. So you are in fact correct.

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
Perhaps I didn't express myself correctly. I simply meant looking at what I do in 12 hours I find it difficult to envision it being done in 8. I am so engrained in 12 hour shifts that I forget 8 hours would encompass 4 hours less work and not simply less time to do the same amount -math not my strong suit:uhoh3:. So you are in fact correct.

Not a problem, but I see posts from 12 hour nurses like that all the time, "I can get more done in 12 hours than in 8." Well, of course. If you don't, you're not doing your job completely.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Oncology/CCU/ER.

Just a quick thought about the 8/12 discussion...I think we would all eventually conclude it is a personal preference that involves many factors. I don't believe for a minute that I am any less effective as a nurse after 8 hours than I am before 8 hours. Scholastics can make any study say what they want! When I've worked on the Med/Surg floors I do have busier times during the 7-3 portion of my shift than the 3-7 portion of my shift (on most days)-fewer scheduled meds from 3-7, few antibx scheduled during these times. Somedays I don't get to charting until about 2pm...of course some days it's 730pm too! We should all remember though, the debate is not settled by us, or by what is best for the patient, it is what is best for the institution you work in. If your doing 12's, it is because your facility thinks it can save money doing it that way!

just my thoughts!

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In the hospitals do they like to stick new grads with evening shifts and graveyard?

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
In the hospitals do they like to stick new grads with evening shifts and graveyard?

When I started nursing 31 years ago, new grads automatically started on nights or less often, evenings, depending on where the need was. NEVER on days. I spent several years on evenings, and when my firstborn was about 4 I started asking for a day shift. (I was looking ahead to when she would be in school and I would never see her.) I believe she was in 3rd grade when someone on day shift actually died, and that's how I got a day shift spot.

Where I work, it seems like the new grads are more likely to get what they want, by refusing to do anything else. Once again, the recruiting takes precedence over retention.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I used to work on a med/surg floor where I worked 5 eight hour days. When I interviewd for ICU, the manager told me I would have to work some 12's. I was shaking in my boots thinking at 49 and wore out after 8 hours, how on earth would I handle 12? Well, what I didn't realize was that working two 12's and two 8's, they schedule you at times where you get 4 days in a row off! I love it! Also, in the ICU, I need 12 hours to get my work done! Floor nurses have the thinking that since ICU nurses only have 2-3 paitents, that their job is easy. I got a culture shock when I started in ICU! I'm even busier at times then I was on the floor. Busy floor nursing did however give me a good base to come into the ICU prepared. Anyway, I now love 12 hour shifts!

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Specializes in Rehab, LTC, Peds, Hospice.

When I worked 8 hour shifts I found I was completely burned out and depressed. Not even more rested because I could not sleep because I was constantly worrying about my patients. Now I have balance and my family life takes precedence over that of nursing, leaving me more satisfied. Plus I actually can keep more up to date now educating myself, before I didn't want to spend any more time even thinking about being a nurse. I get plenty of sleep when I get home from my shift because yes I"m tired. And even though I might not be as fresh the last four hours, I've got my day so organized by that point I don't skip a beat. Truthfully if you want to worry about anything, how about the first four hours of the day before my coffee kicks in?:smilecoffeecup:

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.
I prefer to work two 16-hour shifts per week. :)

count me in. 4 hours of double time, 5 days off a week. but as it is, 12-hour shifts for sure. if we moved to 8's I'd probably find a new job.

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Specializes in psych..
12 hour shifts, without a doubt. I am already at work, I might as well stay a few more hours and have an extra day off in the week. I also like being able to spread things out throughout the shift. I think I get to know my patients better since I spend more time with them during a 12 hour shift.

Poor patient if he or she gets stuck with a grouchy nurse for 12 hours instead 8. Or even worse one that does poor care... Just a thought. I am of the 8hr is better school of thought. I think increasing the length of the work day is going backwards in history. Also 12 hour shfit force workers 2 choices...days or nocs..no more PMs in many cases. And who wants to be a health statistic from doing noc work?

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Specializes in psych..
Although I work in the Birth Center, I would in no way, EVER, work 12 hour shifts. I know that I am on limited energy and brain power by 10 or so. I also do not want anybody who's just done 3 12's or 2 16's taking care of me or my loved ones. I just do not see how you have been able to get adequate rest.

Finally someone that agrees with me. lol I would not want someone that is tired or worked that long either. I didnt know about this thread so i had posted another. I still enjoy the other post too. though

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Specializes in psych..
Just thought I would add my two cents worth before people get heated:argue: like many of these posts do...:smiley_ab :lol_hitti ... I was such an ADVOCATE for 12 hours shifts. "I luv 12 hours shifts" :yelclap: :yelclap: :redpinkhe :1luvu: "Wouldnt work anything else" :loveya: Now, I could not WAIT to GEt off 12 hour shifts!!!!!!!!!!:angryfire As far as the vaca time, usually at least at our facility it is by hours, so two days is for a 12 hours shifter 24 hours of vaca time where as two days of an 8 hour shifter is only 16 hours, (See my point??:idea: ) But speaking from experience, the going home (around 8-830 pm) going to bed , getting up at 5am is not pleasant. And if you have a heavy load or difficult patients the thought of taking care of them two or even three days of 12 hours shifts in a row can be very taxing on you!!!!!!:o

So to make a long story short I am now on 3-11 four days a week (32 hours a week) and I make the same as when I worked 3 twelve hours days (7a-7p) So technically Im working 4 hours less and making the same w/ the shift differential. I felt with my family the every other weekend was like I was going away for two days straight!!!!!!!!! Now at least I have some of my weekend back, I do not leave until 2pm. I am much, much, less tired after the 8 hour shifts now. I guess I have learned once again the hard lesson of never, say never!:nono: :nono: :nono:

Now that seems like good critical thinking skills if you ask me. I think that points to a more healthier goal. Work to get more per hour, and you may not have to work as many days per week and as many hours per day. I read in one of my nursing books that nurses are in "empowered", but I wonder where that power really is today. With todays mindset, I think some would volunteer to go back to the 16 hr days they had way back in the 1800's. The present choice is 8hr or 12 hour shift, and what shift profits the employer more, not what profits the nurse or patient more. I hope that puts reality in perspective. I mean the employer is not going to offer more per hour., unless there is some pressure from below.

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Specializes in MICU.

A good scheduling tactic for 12's...

I assume most hospital require RN's to rotate 2 shifts and every other weekend, as mine does...

My weekend to work, I work 7a to 7p Saturday & Sunday... Then I am back Monday & Tuesday night for 7p to 7a... So I am working 4 days in a row, but between days 2 & 3 I have 24 hours off... I find that it works well, as far as rest goes... And, the biggest perk... I finish up Tuesday morning and don't have to be back until that next Monday...

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