FT night shifters what is schedule?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Dec 31, 2012

do you mean work schedule or personal one? I worked nights many years. The schedule was usually 1 on, 1 off, 2 on, 3 off but that varied greatly. Sometimes I worked 3 in a row and some weeks I ended up with 4 shifts.

On a personal level, I tried to keep pretty much the same routine as when working so that people knew NOT to ever phone during early a.m. If I was off and up early I still would not return calls. I "trained" family to not expect communication till early afternoon.

OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2012

do you mean work schedule or personal one? I worked nights many years. The schedule was usually 1 on, 1 off, 2 on, 3 off but that varied greatly. Sometimes I worked 3 in a row and some weeks I ended up with 4 shifts.
On a personal level, I tried to keep pretty much the same routine as when working so that people knew NOT to ever phone during early a.m. If I was off and up early I still would not return calls. I "trained" family to not expect communication till early afternoon.

Thanks. This is what I was looking for. That sounds like a good schedule. I'll probably do something similiar.

dah doh, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2012

When I worked nights, I liked to work 2 or 3 shifts in a row then a few days off in a row. Because of my family, I had to shift back onto a day routine on my days off. I hated to work 1 on 1 off because of the switching and was too tired to do more than 4 in a row. But I have coworkers who do 6 or more shifts in row. I have coworkers who have worked nights for more than 30 years. If you never worked nights, give yourself a few months to find a routine that works for you cuz it has to work around your lifestyle and sleeping.

SionainnRN · Dec 31, 2012

That's up to your unit, sometimes you don't have a say. Most of the time you have to work at least one weekend night, some places do split shifts, some do three in a row. There's really no way for a random group of people on the internet to know what your schedule is going to be, talk to your supervisor.

ParvulusPuella · Jan 1, 2013

We self schedule, and I work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Every so often I may work a Thursday instead of the Fri or Sat, but for the most part, I get my weekends on, weekdays off.

rick.s.lpn · Jan 1, 2013

I have been full time nights for several years. I usually stay up until around 12-2pm and then sleep until about 9pm. That works for me. I try to stay on this schedule on my days off if possible to maintain the sleep pattern. One problem is when i stay up all night on my days off there isn't a whole lot to do, but i am getting to know the night shift crew at the local Walmart, thats about the only thing open where I live!

OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN · Jan 2, 2013

That's up to your unit, sometimes you don't have a say. Most of the time you have to work at least one weekend night, some places do split shifts, some do three in a row. There's really no way for a random group of people on the internet to know what your schedule is going to be, talk to your supervisor.

I never asked for you all to predict my schedule. Perhaps I should have gave more info. in the OP. My job does self scheduling. I was just looking for what other nurses prefer to work. Three 12's, two on one off, and etc. Thankfully, we do have self schedule.

SionainnRN · Jan 2, 2013

I never asked for you all to predict my schedule. Perhaps I should have gave more info. in the OP. My job does self scheduling. I was just looking for what other nurses prefer to work. Three 12's, two on one off, and etc. Thankfully, we do have self schedule.

Well it's hard to know what you're looking for with a title of "what is schedule".

Intentional · Jan 2, 2013

I used to work 2-3 in a row with 2 days off between work stretches. It was nice, but I've since changed so that I can have 3 day weekends every other weekend! I think it depends if you are working 12's or 8's.

exit96 · Jan 2, 2013

I work 2 jobs, 5 shifts per week. 7p-7a...I find that the more I work, the more of a rhythm I maintain. I can't take the flip-flopping from days to night schedule very much. If I were to work my FT job with 3- 12hr shifts per week, I would prefer 3 in a row, then some days off, at least 3 off in a row...

Good Morning, Gil · Jan 2, 2013

what's your new job OP? (replied in your other thread on job hopping).

I've been working nights for 2 and a half years now, and counting, and looking to go to days now. Nights just doesn't work for me, but I tolerated it long enough. Be prepared to tolerate it for a few years. I've been married for several years now, and my hubby and I have yet to work the same schedule, don't see him much. I also can't sleep well anymore (and never really slept well on night shift, always feel tired), miss the sunshine, so for these reasons, I will be looking for a change. I really like the ICU, though, and wish I could stay there, but day shift may never be an option (at least not for a few years, turnover on days is very low, night shift turnover is high, and I'm not next on the list to go to days, still some people ahead of me). So, we'll see what happens....applying for internal transfers so I can stay with my system. Since most jobs are night shift, it may be a little while until I find something, but I'm happy and rested in my decision.

Maybe you'll find you like nights, though. A few people do. Majority do not.