Does a 8-12 hour shift go by fast to you?

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I'm curious to know, when you work a 8-12 hour shift and if you're constantly busy does it feel less of a long day?

Because I currently work a retail job for 4-5 a hours a day with hardly any customers come in (rural area), so it feels like I am there forever and keep watching the clock. I hate that in a job since I like to stay busy. That is one of the things that attracted me to nursing because I would always be doing something and not just sitting around and waiting for something to do.

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It flies by, especially the 8 hour shifts.

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I know for me a 1st shift 5am-2pm goes by so quickly when I get home I have forgotten worked half the time.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Yes. I remember in high school when I worked retail four hours felt like forever. Now 12 hours flies by. I often am shocked to see my replacement come in. A 16 hour shift on the other hand still feels long. So I guess four hours can still feel like a long time sometimes.

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A 16 hour shift feels like 24 hours! And makes you wanna sleep for about 16.haha

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I've never worked a 16 hour shift, and never will!

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Both shifts fly by. I prefer 12 hour shifts because the last 4 hours are a little calmer and give me time to catch up on my charting.

The only times the shift has felt painfully slow is the occasional night shift where you only have 1 patient in ICU. They are stable, bathed, turned, medicated and there is nothing to do until 2 hrs later when they need the next turn. And none of your coworkers need help.

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

I work on a 12-bed unit, so it can get kinda quiet at times, not gonna lie. But most of the time it's pretty steady. There are nights when I'm watching the clock after hs med pass, but there are also nights where I blink and it's 5 am. Just varies.

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If I'm busy, the twelve hour shift flies by. If multiple patients are having serious issues and I'm overwhelmed, it feels like it will never end.

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