Going from 3 12s to M-F 5 8s

[TryingtoThriveRN, ASN, BSN]

I'm switching from inpatient 3 12 hours day shift to outpatient 5 8s M-F (8a-4:30p). I’ve never worked 5 days a week before and have only done 12 hour shifts in my two years of nursing experience. I hate working weekends and the 12 hours shifts never seem to get any easier (the day is pretty much done- going into work super early and leaving super late). On your off days you’re pretty much recovering, more pertinent for night shifters. 

What are your thoughts on the M-F work and how did you adjust to it? Do you think it’s better than the 3 12s hospital job? will  scheduling  appointments be more difficult going from M-F? Do you feel your quality of life improve when switching to the 5 8s? I know for me while working 12 hours shifts, my eating habit is horrible, no structure, typically binge after work and snack on unhealthy food while at work. What about children and family?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

There are advantages and disadvantages.  

I worked 7-3 M-F and enjoyed having the evenings free to go to the gym, shop, cook and relax or to go out with friends to dinner.

The disadvantage was that it was five days and not three.  But like you said you spend at least one day recovering.  I slept late today and still took a nap after a dreadful weekend.

I hated the job and now I'm back on the floor working three 12's but I really didn't mind the hours.  Literally 100's of millions of people work five days a week and function well.  I didn't mind at all.

Goodluck!

[Davey Do]

For the last three years of my time at Wrongway Regional Medical Center, I worked three twelve-hour weekend option shifts and I would have gone back to nine 8-hour shifts every two weeks in a heartbeat. I worked 8-hour shifts at Wrongway the first 14 years there.

With 8-hour shifts, I had quality time off every day plus the full days off. Working twelve-hour shifts are like what Garrison Keillor said about Winter in Minnesota:

"It's either Winter, just been Winter, or getting ready to be Winter."

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I love eight hour shifts and I don't mind working more days in order to have the better quality days when I'm working. It's not an option for me right now, but I'd go back in a heartbeat. Although mine were straight nights so it didn't interfere with scheduling appointments, but I came from the Monday-Friday nine to five world before nursing and many people make it work. Good luck with your new position!

[T-Bird78]

I’ve only worked M-F 8-5 type hours because I wanted to have evenings, weekends, and holidays off to be with my family, especially with my kids being young. Yes, there are days you’re not leaving on time, but it is easier to plan your week. The downside is scheduling your own doctor’s appointment etc. because their hours are your hours. I had to wait 2 weeks to get an Ortho appt for acute scapula pain because of my own doctor’s schedules and being short-staffed limited my own availability. 

[HiddenAngels]

On 8/22/2022 at 5:11 AM, TryingtoThriveRN said:

Hello! 
Im switching from inpatient 3 12 hours day shift to outpatient 5 8s M-F (8a-4:30p). I’ve never worked 5 days a week before and have only done 12 hour shifts in my two years of nursing experience. I hate working weekends and the 12 hours shifts never seem to get any easier (the day is pretty much done- going into work super early and leaving super late). On your off days you’re pretty much recovering, more pertinent for night shifters. 

What are your thoughts on the M-F work and how did you adjust to it? Do you think it’s better than the 3 12s hospital job? will  scheduling  appointments be more difficult going from M-F? Do you feel your quality of life improve when switching to the 5 8s? I know for me while working 12 hours shifts, my eating habit is horrible, no structure, typically binge after work and snack on unhealthy food while at work. What about children and family?

Ha ha! I did the opposite. I went from 5 8S to 3 12s and I would never go back.  I like the off days during the week to vacation or shop it’s much less crowded and relaxing then trying to cram everything on the weekend.

[RNperdiem, RN]

At least with outpatient, you have a different group of patients every day. When I worked 7-3 five days a week with inpatients, the repetitive nature, especially with the "difficult" patients day after day wore me out. 

A factor to consider include traffic flow at rush hour. Those clinic hours will put you on the road with a lot of other people. Another factor is how late does the clinic run? Some outpatient jobs may be officially 8-4:30, but really closes when the last patient is seen. 

 

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would never give up  my 3-12s for 5 days a week! I have a long drive so I don't expect anything else on work days but work. It usually only takes me half of my first day off to recover and they I have 3 whole days to do what I want!

[Lust4life, BSN]

8 and skate! The shift flies by when you are used to doing 12s.

[DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN]

I did five years of 5 x 8 when I was clinical nurse specialist and another 5 years of it as an occy health nurse in an office situation. I found I was less tired since I was in a routine - going to bed and getting up at the same time every day rather than up super early for work one day then lying in the next. It's actually much better for your body health wise and you certainly feel it.

Socially it was great. Any invitiation you got you could just say yes since you knew you were free evenings and weekends. Knowing you had Christmas AND New Year free was a boon, not to mention all the other holidays. I was able to do an evening class and NEVER miss class since I was never working on a class evening. 

The only bind is when you need  to visit the doctor, the dentist, go to the bank or the post office or do some other administrative task during office hours. That frankly was the only disadvantage.

I've gone back to 12s because I'm now a night nurse. Shorter nights wouldn't suit me (too many on) and I think I'd find 12s on days too tiring since I'm not a morning person.

Each to their own, but give it a go. It certainly has its advantages.

[LovingLife123]

I miss my 3 twelves!  I’m currently 4 tens and I’m struggling.  I go in later than before but I miss that extra day off during the week.  I feel like with that one day off I’m constantly going to appointments between me and my kids.  I couldn’t do five days.  
 

But that’s me.  Many people enjoy 5 days a week.  I will never be one of those people.

[mtmkjr, BSN]

3 minutes ago, LovingLife123 said:

I miss my 3 twelves!  I’m currently 4 tens and I’m struggling.  I go in later than before but I miss that extra day off during the week.  I feel like with that one day off I’m constantly going to appointments between me and my kids.  I couldn’t do five days.  
 

But that’s me.  Many people enjoy 5 days a week.  I will never be one of those people.

I do 4x10 as well. No weekends or holidays. I pick my day off and I can be a little flexible. I can even do 5x8 off I want.

Although I love my job, I gave up a sweet 3x12 no weekend set schedule. I didn't mind the 12-hour shifts at all