Question about shifts!

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

Hi,

I am hoping to be coming over to Florida soon(when i eventually get to do my NCLEX and get all the paperwork out of the way!!)

I was just wondering do you all do set shifts/days? Do you either just do mornings or lates or nights or do you do a various shifts?

Also do you work set days or are your days off the same every week??

Just curious - so i have an idea of what to expect. I work all sorts of shifts at the moment - days/evenings and occassionally get called in to do a night shift now and then.

The hospital i have had an offer from do 7-3:30,3-11:30 and 11-7:30. they also do 7-7's aswell. I wouldnt mind doing 3 7-7 if it meant that i got 4 days off - that would be heaven!!!:roll

Sue :)

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I would ask the managers of the units you are interested in; only THEY can tell you what's available and how flexible they can afford to be!!!! Good luck.

Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

Thanks Deb for your response.

I realise that i will have to ask the managers about the shifts and flexibility.

But what i was wondering was - is it normal practise for nurses in the USA to work the one type of shift i.e 3-11pm and have the same days off. From things i have read, it looks like people usually work one type of shift.( Most Hospitals in my area here in the UK - you dont have a choice what shifts you work. You get what your given!Only in exceptional circumstances you can choose your days off too.)

Sue :)

Just remember, those 7-7s can be very exhausting over the long run.

Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

Well i do 7-8 shifts now - usually 2 in a row, with a couple of 7-4 shifts & and a 7-2 pm too in a week. I am also in charge and have to be on call 4 times a week at least - so i am hoping 3 7-7 shifts with 4 days off will suit me better as i can then choose to do extra if i want. At the moment i get 2 days off and sometimes they are not together!

I hope i can cope with the 7-7's!!! Thanks for the warning anyway!

Sue

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

It varieds so widely I cannot answer you. For instance, in OB nursing in the area I am in (Seattle) most work 12 hour shifts: 7-7. VERY few work anything else or any variation of that. But SOME do work 7-3 and a Perdiem person often will pick up that 3-7 block. But downstairs in med-surg, there are 8's: 7-3; 3-11- 11-7. Depends on where you work, really. That is why I said you have to ask the managers/hospitals where you intend to work. It even varies by floor/unit. Impossible to generalize.

I work 72 hrs. per pay (two weeks). That is considered full time for medical insurance,but accrued sick and paid time off are pro-rated ,that is reduced somewhat.

My shift is 7pm to 7am in a 9 bed ICCU. I find I love the shift. It takes 12hrs to get everything done sometimes,and I only have to 'clean up' 3 days a week!

I will work fri/sat/sun then have three days off ,one on, then a three day weekend off. You can take that one day in the week, as PTO and have a whole week off ,using only 12hrs of your saved time off.

It also leaves room for overtime,which we have to share picking up because of vacations,illnesses ,etc.

I am 50 years old and I can take the 12 hour shifts,for now anyway.LOL

I have been doing this for 14 yrs. now and find I can schedule doctor's appts. and such months in advance ,because my schedule remains pretty stable.

We have a 'request' book in our unit that if you have a wedding coming up or something like that ,you can put in that day. Someone will pick it up...if they want the same favor later on.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

7 to 7s are very common here in Florida. Becoming more of the norm than the exception. But with the shortage all kinds of shifts are available. But of course only the hospital you work at can tell you.

I like having four days off a week, plus I am able to work a fourth day overtime and still have 3 days off, but I don't do that very often lately.

Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Hi Sue. I'm coming from London to the USA, and I too want to do 3 12-hour shifts, and I would prefer to do nights. Having 4 days off a week would be heaven! It would give me time to spend with my fiancee and get used to the country. I really want to make sure I can choose my shift, because I have a horror of getting stuck on 5 8-hour shifts and having to get up early every day! Yuk!

Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

Hi Rocknurse,

You are like me - I desperately want 3 12 hour shifts - so i can spend time with my kids. I have to do 5 shifts a week now and running a Nursing Home and having to be on call most of the week is very stressful. I just want to be able to enjoy my time off without worrying every time the phone goes!! LOL

Also the job offer i have had up to now is in a hospital which is 1 hour and 20 minutes away - so i will need 4 days off to recover!!!LOL

Looking forward to it though.

Sue :)

We have 7-7 shifts, plus an extra 12p-12a shift. Each nurse works 3 shifts per week (and often an extra shift is available if they want the OT). And we do self scheduling - so we can pick how we want to work. Some do 3 shifts then have 4 days off in a row. And some choose to divide up their shifts. Very flexible. This self scheduling was very difficult in the beginning. But now everyone loves it. It gives them the freedom to have control over their lives.

Umm, word of advice here....

It doesn't matter what they promise you when they hire you...they'll schedule you however they see fit.

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