Published
Hi all. I just started clinicals at the hospital a few weeks ago and we are there from only 6-2. We are only doing basic ADL's and observation right now but the time goes by so slow. (we are on a med surg floor, BTW) There just really is not much going on much of the time. I find myself watching the clock! :uhoh21:
We are at a fairly small hospital and so far many of the nurses on the floor have not been very receptive to us (understandably so) but those who have we have tried to learn from without intruding too much ....but there's still alot we can't do as students.
I guess my question is, as a nurse, is the 12 hour shift boring and long ?
I remember walking out of there thinking I can't believe some of them will be here til 7 or 8 at night. :uhoh21:
thanks in advance !
I've always done 8 hr shifts until the last few weeks. I Like having three days off on my weekends. I spend less time commuting, and that means less gas spent also. And my commute is one hour long, one way.
Also, I notice the day shift nurses are saying the 12hrs go by fast and the night nurses say it can go slow sometimes. That's been my expericense also so far. So Thats my two cents worth
Hi DuskTillDawn,
Believe me, when you're working at the bedside, you will wish to be as bored as you may be right now, even in a small hospital. It is quite different when you're the one actually doing the "nursing".
With regards to the 12-hour shifts, they have their pros and cons, but most of us would NEVER give them up! In fact, after you subtract the break period (you're SUPPOSED to get!), you may only be working an additional 3 hours, more or less. However, you need to understand that it truly does not matter if you're working 8 hours or 12, because the work load and the stress is there 24/7 and most times, there NEV ER seems to be enough time to get it all done. Clock? What clock? Bathroom? What bathroom? Break? What's a break??
ENJOY THIS "BORING" TIME WHILE YOU CAN AND WELCOME ABOARD!!
Hi DuskTillDawn,Believe me, when you're working at the bedside, you will wish to be as bored as you may be right now, even in a small hospital. It is quite different when you're the one actually doing the "nursing".
With regards to the 12-hour shifts, they have their pros and cons, but most of us would NEVER give them up! In fact, after you subtract the break period (you're SUPPOSED to get!), you may only be working an additional 3 hours, more or less. However, you need to understand that it truly does not matter if you're working 8 hours or 12, because the work load and the stress is there 24/7 and most times, there NEV ER seems to be enough time to get it all done. Clock? What clock? Bathroom? What bathroom? Break? What's a break??
ENJOY THIS "BORING" TIME WHILE YOU CAN AND WELCOME ABOARD!!
Psssst Sonia, FirstYear2005 asking if 12 hour shifts were boring.
Agree with the rest of your post though!!:)
ceecel.dee, MSN, RN
869 Posts
12 hours is a long time, but most shifts zip by. It will feel like 12 hours once you get home and embrace your exhaustion.