Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I prefer 8s. But 12s are nice in that you work fewer days/week if you are full or part time. Being perdiem, I prefer 8s however. But around where I am, 12s are the standard, so that is what I work.
I work weekends 12 hours which is hard sometimes physically, but worth it for the benifits it brings to my life. (More time with my kids) I think the fewer days helps me cope better with the stress of the job, too. (I know it'll be over before I know it.) I really think the profession could retain more people if it got much more flexible about peoples schedules period. How about 4 hours, 10 etc. MUCH harder on the poor schedulers, I know. But just view some of the posts about denied vacation, etc...
I'm 54 and work 7 12-hr shifts in a row and get 7 days off in a row; 29 years in so far. I wouldn't have tried it with young children, but now as long as I can get a couple of hours in the evenings to eat, shower and relax--it's all good. When I do have to stay later, I just pig out, shower, drop in bed--but I'd do that if I just worked 2 or 3 in a row, too, and had to stay. The 7 off is, of course, wonderful.
I have worked acute care 12 out of my 14 years nursing and I have worked both 8 and 12 hour shifts and BY FAR choose the 12 hour shifts! Yes, the 8 hours go by wayyyy faster, but I feel as though I get more done in 12....not to mention getting my entire work week outta the way in 3 days compared to 5!! At our little rural hospital, we "full-timers" work block-schedules......3 on, 1 off, 3 on, 7 off!!!! SWEEEEEEEEEEEET!
SmilingBluEyes
20,964 Posts
I prefer 8s. But 12s are nice in that you work fewer days/week if you are full or part time. Being perdiem, I prefer 8s however. But around where I am, 12s are the standard, so that is what I work.