12 hour oe 8 hour shift better for depression/anxiety/mental illness?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 9, 2017

I used to work 11A-7P at the hospital. It was widely regarded as a sweet spot because I was able to take care of necessary business early in the morning, and I got home in time to see my kids before they went to bed. The bad part was that it was the busiest time of day, there were two meals to be served and patients to feed (I hated that) and I had to deal with families, administration, doctors, therapies etc. I wasn't diagnosed back then so I didn't know why I had so many problems on the job. It seemed like I was constantly getting pulled in for "counseling" sessions with the nurse manager because of petty issues---mostly with documentation---which I didn't handle well because I thought I was being persecuted. After about a year of this I had a breakdown and quit.

I never did do well with 12-hour shifts, whether nights or days. It was too hard on my body and I'd always get to a point, about 10 hours in, when I stopped caring about much of anything. Of course the end of a shift is always the busiest, with patients wanting to get up and go to the bathroom, falling, coding, etc. Not a good thing for the nurse who's completely tapped out. So I mostly worked 8-hour shifts throughout my career. I didn't like working 4 or 5 days a week, but it was better for all concerned.

nurseburst, ASN, BSN · Mar 14, 2017

Hi lucky,

I think it depends on the individual. However, as someone who has been treated for mixed depression and anxiety for 9 years now and a nurse for about 5 months.. I would say the 8 hours is easier because that is 4 less hours right behind the 8 where you have issues that can arise and you are probably already exhausted from the 8.

I work in LTC and we work in 8 hour shifts. I have never done a double although asked to (I just know that 16 hours and me is not something I want to volunteer to do!) But I have done 12s by picking up and extra 4... and it was really rough... although I am sometimes already there past my shift 2 to 3 hours doing documentation. :roflmao: So, depending on the shift I pick up the extra 4 (like 11 to 7) I could probably knock out most of the documentation during that time frame whIle still doing the rest of my work.

Look at how you have done on previous jobs as well. Were you drained after 8 hours? I don't have a crystal ball but I am guessing if you were... An 8 hour shift as a bed side nurse (if that's where you are headed) can be draining and stressful... but it also depends on your health too... best of luck. The 8 hour shifts are one of the reasons I am still in LTC... not sure I wanna do 12s!

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Mar 16, 2017

I have bipolar disorder & I have found I can work 12s & 8s (days & eves) but not nights. I just have to get enough sleep. If I don't it's a recipe for disaster. I have tried working nights but my body just can't handle it, I can't ever adjust & get enough sleep.

hermioneRN · Apr 6, 2017

For me it's more about when I'm working, like OrganizedChaos said. I prefer 8 hour shifts as a general rule, but I can do a 12 during the day. I can't function on nights, no matter the length of the shift. My stress level seems to be directly affected by when I'm sleeping/working.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Apr 6, 2017

I have depression and anxiety and take meds for them. I am a night person so that is the time I work. I much prefer an 8 hour shift over a 12 hour one. At least wth the 8 hour shifts, I can get time in the for personal things. With 12 hours, I am rather exhausted which does not help with my mental health.

I think it all depends on you which you find you can do better.