Hospital switching to strictly 12 hour shifts?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Has anyone ever worked somewhere that they were 8 hours, and they switched everyone to 12 hours only? If so what was the process? How did they go about day/night positions? How much notice were you given before it happened?

I just found out today that my hospital is eliminating the 8 hour positions. They are going to 7-7. I currently work 3-11pm. I'm not even sure I can do the 12 hours due to day care. Also, I don't know if I will get a day position, and if I did it would most likely require rotation, which I also can not do. The union still has to vote and from what I have heard they expect this to happen probably some time in October. We just avoided a strike, and voted in a new contract a couple weeks ago, and now they are doing this. I am not too happy right now.

ETA: I have worked 12 hour shifts for 6 years before this job. I'm just wondering about the transition process.

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Mine went to 12's but it was before I started working there. They have just day and night shift. Some people are hired to rotate but I don't. The Aides are from 6-6:30 shifts and nurses 7-7:30

Altra, BSN, RN

6,255 Posts

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

strickly?

What is strickly?

Simply Complicated

1,100 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
strickly?

What is strickly?

Seriously, out of my entire thread you are going to comment on a spelling error? I accidentally typed one word wrong. I just got home from a 10 hour road trip. I realized after I posted it I made an error, and was unable to edit it. But thanks so much for your help:yeah:

Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Been working 12's so long I can't remember any other. Most places do 7A-7P and 7P-7A, although some ER's cover busy hours with an extra 11A-11P.

It's convenient for hospitals but has been documented repeatedly to be worse for patients. Imagine a busy shift in the ER and 11 hours in you have a code, need to start calculating and mixing drips, etc. Or have a last minute call out and have a supervisor trying to get you to work past your shift end! I'm a good sport and all, but after 12 hours I'm toast.

Not sure I really answered your question, but wish you good luck. Remember doing 12's, you'll only have to work 3 days per week. Look at your resources. It may be that you could get a fixed schedule, same days every week, and work out the daycare. Good luck.

Simply Complicated

1,100 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Mine went to 12's but it was before I started working there. They have just day and night shift. Some people are hired to rotate but I don't. The Aides are from 6-6:30 shifts and nurses 7-7:30

I have worked 12 hour shifts for 6 years, I just switched to the 8 hours about a year ago. Which is what makes it so much more frustrating. Per our contract, anyone with less than 15 years experience is required to rotate, when on a day position. I don't know for sure that it would apply with the 12 hour shifts, but rumor has it that it will. I'm just wondering how the switching over process is. I have friends who will have to look for a new job, as they absolutely can not do the 12's. I'm hoping I can make it work.

Simply Complicated

1,100 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Been working 12's so long I can't remember any other. Most places do 7A-7P and 7P-7A, although some ER's cover busy hours with an extra 11A-11P.

It's convenient for hospitals but has been documented repeatedly to be worse for patients. Imagine a busy shift in the ER and 11 hours in you have a code, need to start calculating and mixing drips, etc. Or have a last minute call out and have a supervisor trying to get you to work past your shift end! I'm a good sport and all, but after 12 hours I'm toast.

Not sure I really answered your question, but wish you good luck. Remember doing 12's, you'll only have to work 3 days per week. Look at your resources. It may be that you could get a fixed schedule, same days every week, and work out the daycare. Good luck.

We do currently have a mix of shifts. We have some on the 7-7, we have a 1030-2300 shift. Then we have the typical 8 hour shifts as well. But I work in Psych. I already know for sure that a set schedule will not be possible. It's not so much the 12 hour shifts for me, as I have worked them for years. It's just harder with my daughter. I'm not a morning person either. We sleep until about 10 am, lol

tntrn, ASN, RN

1,340 Posts

Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

Per your contract, what is the definition of a shift? In our contract, the shift is defined as 8 hours; but there is also what we call innovative shifts. Those are the 12's, 10's or even 4's (my personal favorite.)

If you have such language defining a shift as 8, then the administration cannot just arbitrarily change everybody to 12's.

Simply Complicated

1,100 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Per your contract, what is the definition of a shift? In our contract, the shift is defined as 8 hours; but there is also what we call innovative shifts. Those are the 12's, 10's or even 4's (my personal favorite.)

If you have such language defining a shift as 8, then the administration cannot just arbitrarily change everybody to 12's.

It is defined as both, as the hospital does both 8 hour and 12 hour shifts. We have both within our department (behavioral health) From what I understand, the union does need to vote on it though. I'm not sure how that is going to work out.

#1ME

64 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg.

At my hospital med/surg has been 6-6:30 for many years, we were just informed that next month, the shift times will change to 7-7:30. One hr difference may not seem like much of a change, but in my situation it is. My son begins kinder next month and I am the only one that can drop him off and pick him up from school. Getting off at the new time of 0730, would not allow enough time for me to get home, get my son ready for school, and get him to school on time. 1 months notice, is not enough time. Due to this last minute time change, I will be transferring from med/surg to ER, due to they have different shift times, such as 1500-0300, they even have an 8 hr shifts. It kills me that they just make changes like this, and changing from 8 hrs to 12 hrs and them not consider the hardships that those changes may cause. I understand, at times a change is warranted, but would be nice if they would provide options or try to accommodate. Anyways, I hope it works out for you

Seriously, out of my entire thread you are going to comment on a spelling error? I accidentally typed one word wrong. I just got home from a 10 hour road trip. I realized after I posted it I made an error, and was unable to edit it. But thanks so much for your help:yeah:

I feel your pain, I funking hate the spelling police on internet forums.

MagsMom

150 Posts

How old is your daughter? I can relate to your childcare issue. It is frustrating to be on rotating shifts and have to coordinate different childcare needs each week.

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