12 hour shifts?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 16, 2007

At first, my hospital only offered 12 hour shifts to the RNs, but, now, I am hearing that they are considering changing it so that we, also can have them. I work in a clinic, so this would not ever effect me, but, I am thinking about switching over to this, because I would love to work less days. It will not be three days in a row on and 4 days in a row off, though.

dmarie (GA) · Mar 16, 2007

Most nurses work 12 hours shifts in hospitals and LTC. But there are exceptions, depending on where you work. If you work in a doctor's office, you usually work a 5 day work week/8 hours per shift. Again, it all depends on where you work...... but generally, in a hospital or nursing home, you'll work a 12 hour shift --- and it's usually 3-4 days per week depending on how much you want to work.

Fiona59 · Mar 16, 2007

My hospital has 4, 6, 8 and 12 hour shifts. I loathe 12s. Tired and you don't see your family. You spend the first day off recovering. You are gone for around 14 hours a day if you factor in travelling time.

12's appeal to most of the younger nurses but once they have children their attitude changes.

jamangel · Mar 17, 2007

just because you have 4 days off doesn't mean you HAVE to stay at home. I worked somewhere else and brought home twice the money. It just allows you the freedom to be off if you want, go to schoo if you want, or work somewhere else-maybe another specialty.

merei · Mar 17, 2007

The hospital I work at now we work 12's and at their LTC they work 8 & 12's. It works out ok, like someone else said you spend your first day off recovering.

The hospital I'm starting at in April, I'll be working 8's 5 days a week and 12's on the wknd, but then I'm off for 7 days after that. I'm sure I'll still spend that first day recovering from the week before. And I'll probably pick up some days working for an agency on my week off, but I'll just spend a lot of the time with my daughter. Being able to work this way does let me have a lot of time with my daughter and that is it's biggest benefit. :-)

take care

ginger58, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2007

Most of the hospitals in my area have 8 hour shifts. It takes more staff to fo 12s versus 8's.

AirforceRN, RN · Mar 17, 2007

Everywhere I have done my clinical has been 12 hour shifts and I personally think its good for a few reasons:

1) 12 hours allows for complete patient care. Morning, noon and evening. When you pass off the patient to the night or morning shift, you have a good sense of where they are, how they are doing and where they may be heading. I just don't think you can get that with 8 hour shifts.

2) I work 2 days then 2 nights then 5 off. I love having five off. It allows you to rest, start AND finish a project and relax. I know its not for everybody but I like it.

Just my two cents.

Damien

BigB · Mar 17, 2007

i work two 16 hours and one 8....try it it will put some hair on your chest!!

BigB · Mar 17, 2007

My hospital has 4, 6, 8 and 12 hour shifts. I loathe 12s. Tired and you don't see your family. You spend the first day off recovering. You are gone for around 14 hours a day if you factor in travelling time.
12's appeal to most of the younger nurses but once they have children their attitude changes.

I prefer the 4 days off that comes with my 16 , 16 , 8 scedule. Not for everyone, but works for my family.

kat7ap · Mar 17, 2007

Every LTC place I've worked at has 8 hour shifts. I feel like it is just nearly impossible to get everything done in that amount of time, it usually turns into 10 hours. I am greatly looking forward to working 12 hour shifts in my new hospital job. I would much rather have less days I actually have to go into work.

AirforceRN, RN · Mar 18, 2007

16 Hour shifts? Wow, I don't know if you guys are super heros or just plain crazy. After 12 hours I am BEAT. There is no way I could continue for another four without slapping patients upside the head and telling them to wipe there own darn backsides. My hats off to you who can handle that. That is dedication pure and simple.