12 hour shifts too long?

nursesandi · Apr 12, 2005

Thank you so much for your kind response. I wasn't going to open the allnurses site given the response to me by others. But, I know that I would lose out on guidance and information from others that have a kinder and less judgemental way of offering advice from your years of experience of which I have great admiration and respect. Psych has always been extremely interesting to me long before I entered nursing school. Through school the best part of my clinical rotations was when I was at the bedside having conversation to all of my patients. I know that I made a difference to each one especially with their psychological and emotional fragility. I did also find the medical apsects of nursing and subsequent care required very interesting and rewarding when I provided care - it was hands down the ability to spend time with the patient's. My biggeest concern is that I will not be able to give each of my patient's that same attention to their emotional etc... needs on a med-surge unit because of the high patient load. I love working with the patients and I fear leaving the unit each day with a sense of guilt for not giving them all of what they need. I spent a lot of time while on the units talking with the RN's who had been their for many years picking their brains for their valuble experience and guidance. Hands down they told me that while my intentions were great the fact is that there is not enough time to really spend time with the patient's. That is what concerns me. I know that each nurse out there wants or wanted the very same things I do now but the reality is that time constraints inhibit the nurses ability to give that to their patient's. This is why I wanted to go into psych. I figured that I would have more time to do what I do best-to communicate with and connect with the emotional & psychological needs of my patient's.
I am 47 yrs of age with a wealth of life experience in may areas - it is my hands on that lacks what I need to be a great nurse - this I know. And I am more than willing to work hard to learn all that I lack. I just don't want to make a mistake from the get go by making the wrong decision as to where to start out of the gate.
You have helped me enormously and perhaps have alterd my thinking as to the right direction I should take. I do agree that entering psych first will pigean-hole me for my future in nursing. Thank you so much for your kindness and experience - your approach and response to my post could not have been stated better. Thank you...

I have been working those 12 hour shifts the last few days and have not had a chance to check my e-mail. I too was a late starter as an RN and it is true that you do not get the bedside time you want, but you are still helping people and you will be amazed at what people remember. I have had people that were in my care in hospital stop me and tell me lovely things and how I helped them and what a good nurse I am and sadly, I can't remember who some of them are, but at least it is some reward to know that when they were sick and vulnerable, I did something that worked for them. Nursing is a caring profession, no matter where you work, just do the best you can and that is usually enough. Patients know when you really care and will appreciate it. After my last few shifts, I felt like I had been working in psych. It was interesting, but I do love medicine. Enjoy.

PFDGB · Apr 12, 2005

I have been working those 12 hour shifts the last few days and have not had a chance to check my e-mail. I too was a late starter as an RN and it is true that you do not get the bedside time you want, but you are still helping people and you will be amazed at what people remember. I have had people that were in my care in hospital stop me and tell me lovely things and how I helped them and what a good nurse I am and sadly, I can't remember who some of them are, but at least it is some reward to know that when they were sick and vulnerable, I did something that worked for them. Nursing is a caring profession, no matter where you work, just do the best you can and that is usually enough. Patients know when you really care and will appreciate it. After my last few shifts, I felt like I had been working in psych. It was interesting, but I do love medicine. Enjoy.

I'm so glad that you had a great run the passed few shifts and that the patient's responded so well to your care. That is the greatest reward. Knowing that you have made a difference.

How long have you been doing the 12 hr. shifts?

I know that it must be very difficult to remember all the names and I am sure that I myself will experince the very same thing in psych. The patient turn over rate I am sure must be equal to that in the medicine units. Resources are less available to those in psych and often patients are forced out before they receive all of the care they really need. But for the time that we both have each patient we can make a difference for each of them (both medicine & psych).

I was truly shocked when I received a call back interivew with the head nurse on my first interview last week. The recruiter originally said that they would not take a new grad in psych. So when she called back two days later I was shocked. I meet with the head nurse on Thursday this week. I guess they decided to continue the interview process. I hope that this works out because I'm really very excited about the possibility.

nursesandi · Apr 13, 2005

I'm so glad that you had a great run the passed few shifts and that the patient's responded so well to your care. That is the greatest reward. Knowing that you have made a difference.
How long have you been doing the 12 hr. shifts?
I know that it must be very difficult to remember all the names and I am sure that I myself will experince the very same thing in psych. The patient turn over rate I am sure must be equal to that in the medicine units. Resources are less available to those in psych and often patients are forced out before they receive all of the care they really need. But for the time that we both have each patient we can make a difference for each of them (both medicine & psych).
I was truly shocked when I received a call back interivew with the head nurse on my first interview last week. The recruiter originally said that they would not take a new grad in psych. So when she called back two days later I was shocked. I meet with the head nurse on Thursday this week. I guess they decided to continue the interview process. I hope that this works out because I'm really very excited about the possibility.

I am so pleased that you are going to be interviewed and I am sure you will be successful. It is great to be following your dreams.

I have worked 12 hour shifts for the last 5 years. I have done lots of different things in my life and I have worked in nursing in 8 hour positions, but I was in business with my now ex-husband and we worked so hard, 24 hours wouldn't of been enough. It was a lot of fun with lots of hard work. We also had a farm and that is a big job too. Lots of hours, especially when you have livestock. Every job has good points and bad, I suppose the best thing is not to see that, just to wait and see.

Good luck in your interview and please let me know how it all works out. I will be returning to work on Friday for a set of four on medicine. I will be going to telemetry in my next set. I like bouncing around, it is great getting to work with people I haven't seen for a while and to not be too involved in ward politics. We are going through so many changes here and waiting for completion of a new hospital, which is still a long way off.