Help..new at 12 hour shifts and changing jobs!

[PurpleLovinRN]

Hello everyone!!

I've been a nurse for 4 years. I've always worked on an oncology/respiratory floor. I'm getting ready to start in the ICU working 12 hour shifts! YIKES!!

I thought I was ready for the change, but now I'm getting nervous. Right now I only work 3, 8 hour shifts and I'll now be working 3, 12 hour shifts. (7pm-7:30am)

Any hints on how to handle working 12 hour shifts? Any helpful insights on working in the ICU? I start Thursday night!:smackingf

Luckily, I'm working in the same hospital, and I know a few of the RN's in the unit. We are actually going to be working on the floor with preceptors for a couple of months, THEN start ICU classes in Oct. I wish we were doing the classes first!!

I just hope I made the right decision! I knew my floor soooo well. I already miss my co-workers! I left because I wanted to learn more skills, and I needed a break from oncology.

I'm interested in hearing your stories of why you left one job for another!

Any help, wisdom, words of advice would be appreciated! Hugs, Lisa

[Geeg]

You are right 12 hr shifts are long....Making a move to a new area is difficult, but it is good to challenge yourself. I worked on a med surg floor for 5yrs before going to ICU, where I have worked the last 10yrs. Don't let the unit types intimidate you, you are an expert also. There are RN's who have only worked in units, who think they know it all. They don't . Some can't even function without the monitor, and rely on it instead of assessment skills. I an guessing that you probably have execellent organizational skills, taking care of 7-8 pt at time. So go in there very confident with the skills that you have already mastered. Alot of big hospital units are full of new grads; they will be coming to you for advice!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Since most of my 8h shifts ended up being 9 1/2 or 10 hours, 12h shifts were just a small extension. That doesn't mean I liked 12 hours though.

I had an hour commute each way.

One good thing is all the post-ops and admissions that seem to come at shift change (3p) now come in the last 1/3 of your shift....that's a good thing.

[bellcollector]

I actually prefer 12hr shifts. Just make sure you get your sleep. Don't sell yourself short. You have learned a lot more than you realize on the med/surg/oncology floor. I think you will most likely be pleasantly surprised with the change. You already mastered one specialty now your are just ready to tackle the next specialty. Good Luck you'll do great.

[grinnurse, RN]

I am a new nurse and started working 12s from day one. It was rough at first and I would come home "deader than a door nail" but in about 3 weeks I got used to it. The hardest part for me about 12s is the shift where I work 3 in a row. Keep hydrated and take breaks if you can to put your feet up for a minute.

Good luck with the adjustment to hours and the new unit!!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I worked 8 hour shifts for about 8 years and presumed 12 hour shifts would be too dreadful. But you're already there, 4 more hours passes very quickly. For me it's great to have the extra days off, but I can understand your concerns as you're getting the same number of days off just working extra hours.

You'll be o.k. My only advice is to hydrate and eat. I have at eat an afternoon snack around 4 to 5, which is usually fruit or berries. Going from lunchtime to dinnertime after 7p is a long time.

I can't work 3 12-hour shifts in a row. I guess I can, but I choose not because it is hard with other responsibilities at home.

Good luck.