12 hour shifts

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 30, 2006

I guess my hospital where I work agency is conducting a study on this very thing right now. They are thinking of switching to 12 hour shifts exclusively, and want to know what they are going to get themselves into.

I think it does lead to burnout! I mean, for me just one admit or acute emergency can turn a day into living heck working an 8 let alone 12...so instead of getting to go home and recoup...I spend 4 more frantic hours with patients doing care when I feel the need to rest! And can you imagine a 12 hour day with no breaks...I see so many nurses pulling 12s that have been too busy to even have a cup of jo for a minute and still running hard!

I think it is best to stick with 8 hour days so that nurses can go home and recoup for the next day. Eight hours is a long time for running and keeping your brain functioning at a high level (and stress)...add 4 more hours and well...you got yourself a probelm.

I have worked both shifts...I will take on a 8...no more 12s! (I would be floated all the time with my 12s and talk about having to switch gears fast! I was exausted!)...

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 30, 2006

i've been working 12 hour shifts in critical care since 1984. i love it! wouldn't go back to 8s for anything. sure, it gets intense sometimes, and you run your behind off all day long. but those 4 days off a week are worth it!

ruby

Missy Prissy · Jan 30, 2006

I worked 12 hour shifts for many years before taking a job in education. When we first were told we were going to 12 hour shifts it was mandatory due to a critical shortage and was to be for only a few months period. Everyone was very upset. However, when management came to us a few months later and said that we could go back to 8's, people were even more upset! Everyone loved the 12 hour shifts! They actually had more quality time at home and 3 or 4 days off in a row every week felt like a mini vacation. We were able to keep the 12 hour shifts and never looked back. The 12 hours are long and for some people this can lead to burnout. If 12 hour shifts are used, I think that time for adequate breaks are essential. Also, it is not good to schedule all of the 12 hour shifts in a week together. More than 2 days in a row is too much!

Drysolong · Jan 30, 2006

I have not worked a 12 hour yet. Once I graduate and take NCLEX-PN this year, it is my desire to work a 3 day-12 hour shift. I will have to acclimate my mind and body to 12 hours, but I am so looking forward to having 4 days off. I've worked 4/10 hr shifts in another setting and the days off were worth the long hours. I don't want 5 days of my life taken up with work anymore.

AuntieRN · Jan 30, 2006

We work 12's. I love it. I get all my hours in in 2 night..Fri and Sat. Works out wonderfully for school. I get the rest of the week to study.

sweetcheekers · Jan 30, 2006

I don't think 12 hour shifts are bad, unless you are working multiple ones in a row. I do 8's and 12's. When I do 12's and I get to the third in a row, I'm toast. The bad thing is it only leaves time to sleep, eat, shower, and commute back to work between shifts. I barely see my kids during that 3 day stretch. Since it is occasional, I don't mind much. The worst part though, is that if those shifts run over, which the inevitabley do now and then, they can be REALLY LONG. I had one few weeks ago where I ended up there for 14.75 hours with NO break whatsoever. YUCK!

allnurses Guide · Jan 30, 2006

I briefly (6 months or so) switched back to 3 8s instead of 2 12s, working nights. I got less rest but slept more days. Went back to my 12s, which I have mostly worked for the last 10 years. When I was on the floors, 12's gave me more time for my patients, because I could spread the load over more hours, I'd already assessed at the beginning so assessment through the shift was more reasses and monitoring than having to do full head to toe as often. Less pressure to get stuff done before 3, juggling tests prodedures and ADLs, that extra couple of hours before dinner helped.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 31, 2006

I worked FT 8's for five years. Then I took a travel nurse position that required three 12's one week and four 12's the next. I thought that was great until I started working the usual three 12's a week and have stayed on that schedule. I love it and would hate to ever have to go back.

I like to group my nights together because I seem to sleep better as I get "into" the groove for one schedule or another. My husband (that works the same schedule elsewhere) likes to work as many days in a row so we have basically one week on, one week off (though it's really 6 on, 8 off). It's tiring but I just try not to think how many days I'm working, just keep showing up until I realize it's the last day of a stretch.

The only issue I've noticed is that I have trouble keeping up with what day of the week it is, though I usually know what day of the month it is (odd huh?). My managers don't have an issue with it and my performance at work doesn't suffer, can't remember the last time I had med error or other work related issue.

dcastlewood · Jan 31, 2006

We work seven 12's in a row. On the bright side, I get a week vacation every other week!

diablo · Jan 31, 2006

I hate 12 hr shifts!! I would never work seven straight! I had more energy on 8 hr shifts. It takes me several days to recoup after working 3. I work straight nocts.

ClaireMacl · Jan 31, 2006

I detested 8 hour shifts when I worked the wards (floors I guess), you'd get home at 11pm (supposedly finishing at 9.30pm) and would be up again at 5am to be in for 7am... madness! I would fall asleap after returning home from the morning shift and lose my entire day.

I work 12s now and love them... though I've recently saught medical leave from doing 5 x 12 hour shifts in a row on nights, I find them so draining and end up sick. I now do 3, then 2 at another point in the month, works well for me!