12 hour shift clinicals

Published

What do you think about 12 hour shift clinicals?

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Haven't done em yet. Will start next month. Our first semester we did 2 8hrs. For next semester we had the option to choose 2 8s or 1 12 per week. I chose to do the 12 hr. So we'll see how it goes. I liked the idea of getting up @ 5 am 1 day out of the week instead of 2! LOL

How does that work, one group is getting 16 hrs and the other only 12?

The only thing I would not like is the amount of time it would take away from studying for exams and completing assignments. Two twelves plus three days of work in a week doesn't leave much time for the constant grind of nursing school.

For us the 12's gave more free time. For our 3rd and 4th semester med surg clinicals there were 3 sites with 2-12 hrs shifts and each site had 6 people. The other site had many groups and it was 3 8's. The 12's were a hot commodity because if you got them you had a 3 day weekend. I was lucky to have always gotten the 12's. Although had I gotten the 8's I would have found a pro to that too.

My senior practicum you work what your preceptor works, I was on 12's again so I had less days I had to do, I was also from 7pm to 7:30 am. That took some adjusting. I think there are pros and cons to both but in the end I prefer the 12's with more time off. If you're busy it gies by quick. If things are slow it can seem to be more like an 18 hr shift.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
How does that work, one group is getting 16 hrs and the other only 12?

The groups doing the 2 8s will be finished with clinicals for the semester before the ones doing 12s. In the end it will be the same total number of hours. Just finished at a different rate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
The groups doing the 2 8s will be finished with clinicals for the semester before the ones doing 12s. In the end it will be the same total number of hours. Just finished at a different rate.

Oh ok, that makes sense.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

Lucky for those of you that have a choice! After our first semester of clinicals, we ONLY do 12 hour shifts. It's actually OK with me. It means a couple weeks at the end of the semester will be available to study for finals coming up. WOOT! (AND I only have school on campus twice a week. I can handle a four day week for sure. :D)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

We did 12's this semester and I was really intimidated by them at the beginning, but got used to it by the end. With prep before starting the shift we were usually on the floor 11 hours and then would have a 2 1/2 hour post conference afterward. It was a long day, but seeing your patients for that long really taught you a lot about their conditions. It was a much more realistic representation (for me) of how nursing really is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

I liked the 12 hour clinicals personally. If we're going to be working 12 hour shifts, why not get used to them?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU/Pedi.

There are some advantages to 12 hour clinical days. There are more learning opportunities, you have more time to get your stuff done, you get used to the schedule a nurse works, etc. Sometimes, though, you are given more work to do, in the form of special activities, etc. They're not really that bad once you get used to them. Child care can be an issue, though.

I started working 12 hour shifts last summer during an externship program I was in, and I got used to the long hours and my aching feet after the first week or two. Now that I work about twice a month, I get worn out a lot easier than I used to, but I know I'll get used to it again. I really loved working three twelves and getting the work week over with so that I could play the next four!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgical Intensive Care.

Do all schools end up requiring students to do 12 hour shifts?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU/Pedi.

I don't know about all schools. At mine, it is an option for the first few levels. You do 12-hour shifts on Mondays only, and the rotation is 8 weeks instead of 6 weeks. People that need to work more than others usually do those. In Level IV, we have to do 12-hour shifts for our Managment rotation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.

12-hour shifts are "real world" nursing. Fantastic!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Loved it! I only got to do 12 hour clinical for 7 weeks and I wish my whole program had been that way. It made time go so much faster!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I currently work 3-12's at night (7p-7a). I haven't started clinicals yet, but I do enjoy working 12's at night on psych unit. Though I am sure it will be VERY different on a med/surg floor. Most of my psych nurses said they would never go back to med/surg. Personally, I would like to work ICU when I am done...but we'll see. I am actually looking forward to 12 hr clinicals. Our first semester, clinicals are only 6 hours. I guess they are giving us a chance to get adjusted to the rigors of the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion