Are most shifts usually 12 hours?

Nurses General Nursing

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One thing that I think will get to me if I decide to go into nursing is working 12 hour shifts. I know that even though I will be ok for the first day or so, after that the lack of sleep will catch up to me and my performance and mood will fall drastically. So, I'm curious if most nurses work 12 hour days or if there are jobs that offer 10 or 8 hour days. I would really like to work just eight hours, because any more than that makes it so hard on my body. I think I need more sleep than the average person. :uhoh3:

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

There are jobs which are 8 hour and 10 hour shifts-nursing can be very flexible and you shouldn't let the shift patterns put you off there are plenty of options in the nursing profession, including part time and per diem

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Specializes in ICU.

It really depends on the hospital. Mine only offers 12s for nurses, but 8s and 10s for allied health employees. Personally 12s aren't bad for me, really...I felt like I got enough sleep even working back-to-back days and running my little behind off while at work. But I can understand that people are different.

I hope you find something that works for you! Every place is different, so it may take some searching, but I'm sure you could find something that accomodates your schedule and your health. :)

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

I work 8 hour shifts and they are great! I used to work 12's for a few years, but anymore I prefer 8's....just easier for family life, working out every day, dinner, friends, etc.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

Youd be surpirsed @ what you and your body are capable of. Yeah, youre working 12 hr shifts, but also only working 3 days a week as opposed to 5 days a week @ 8 hrs.

I love my 12's. :p

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12 hours a day just seems so long 2 be burned out without getting OT pay after 8 hours. That is if you work a 40hr/wk. I have seen stressed nurses working the 12hours. mistakes working 12hours. family broken working 12 hours. To me,,, I will stick with 8. It's bad enough you have to see administration for 12 longs hours.:uhoh3:

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Another- depends on the hospital. Once hospital I applied to does only 8 hour shifts. The one I accepted a job at has both 8 and 12 hours shifts. I wanted 12 hours shifts to cut down on drive time. I thought they would be hard to get used to, but after awhile they get easier and it is sure nice to have 4 days off a week. :)

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Yay. Glad to know I have options. lol. My clinical for my nurse aide course had us working 3 days for 8 hours, and even with that i found i was becoming exhausted by thursday, so I know if I'm working 12 hours I'll end up half dead by thurs.

edited because it looked like 38 hour days at first. whoops

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

it truly depends on your individual prefrence. i can work 12's but its not the best shift for families. working days you leave early and return late and if you work 12hr nights you also are leaving when your family would normally be done with dinner and returning hopefully before 9am the next day. even before i had a family it was exhausting and i spent my days off recovering. but again, some people prefer the 12's you just sometimes have to take a chance and try it out.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Like everyone says, it depends on the facilitiy. I work 8s. I could work 12s at my facility if I wanted to...but I don't want to right now. When my little one is older, I'll probably go back to 3 12's.

Doing 3 12s is rough (I've done it before though not in nursing) and can be draining...on the other hand, four days off every week is pretty sweet.

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