12 or 8 hour shifts

kgrands · Mar 15, 2007

Usually a nurse will work three 12 hour shifts a week - a total of 36hrs for the week.

loriann, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2007

Don't forget the 4th shift you have every month (4 shifts in 1 week as opposed to 3).

As for the OP, yes you can find time for yourself when working 12-hour shifts. I found it a little difficult at first, realizing that I won't always be able to go out "after work" with my 9-5 friends, can't always get to my favorite gym class like I used, etc. You make changes and do what you can. I was actually a sloth on my days off, and then found that I needed to make sure I got out a little every day on days off (I work nights). It got easier. I don't think I would like working 8 hour shifts, never having total time off.

doggybour · Mar 16, 2007

Usually a nurse will work three 12 hour shifts a week - a total of 36hrs for the week.

Does this mean they have 4 days off. Wow that's cool. i would opt for the 12 hour shift.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2007

Don't forget the 4th shift you have every month (4 shifts in 1 week as opposed to 3).

I guess I'm lucky; my hospital does not have this policy. I work three 12's a week, period, and that's for full-time benefits. If I pick up any additional shifts, it's always at premium pay or higher :)

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2007

Does this mean they have 4 days off. Wow that's cool. i would opt for the 12 hour shift.

Hold on, don't be so quick to decide that, before even going through nursing school clinicals! It can be extremely hard on the body and psyche. Some people think they will be a day shifter or night shifter "for sure" and then when they do that shift, they find they need to switch. Some people are sure they want 8's or 12's, and find they need something else, or even part-time. Per-diems decide they want permanent shifts.

You would have four days off, that's true, but remember they might never be together (depends on scheduling needs of your unit); sometimes you get a few days together, all together, or one day on, one day off. You will be working weekends or alternating weekends or some such, as well as holidays. I can't remember the last time a "12 hour" shift lasted 12 hours; thirteen or fourteen is more the norm. If you work in a mandated hospital, that's a different picture, too.

That said, I choose to work nights, 3 12's because of family obligations. One of my co-workers, a former classmate, thought she'd do exactly the same, and now she works 5 8's, days. You never know! :)