12 Hour Shifts ?

[Lightning Bug RN]

I was just wondering, how many 12 hour shifts do you guys do in a row? Is there a number of nights in a row that you would feel you would be too tired to take care of your pt's? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

[Icare4u2]

i now work in area that is 8 hour shifts only and thank god because i just got too old and too tired to do 12 hour shifts. my step-mom, who has been a nurse for almost 40 years, can still pull the 12 hour icu shifts. i can no longer do that so it's a good thing there are areas available where 8's are an option.

when i did do the 12 hour shifts, day care was an issue as i was a single parent with no family nearby to help out. it did work better if i did 3 in a row, but we didn't do self scheduling so you took what you got or traded with other.

[Midwest4me]

In my former job I would do a mixture of 8-hour shifts and 12-hour shifts; when scheduled for the 12s, it was usually 3 in a row; on a rare occasion I'd do 4 12-hour shifts but did indeed feel unsafe after 3.

Traumahawk99: I CANNOT fathom how you safely worked six 16-hr shifts in a row and were able to function at all. Sure, the money HAS to be great(bet Uncle Sam loves you too) but where's the home/family life??? My hat's off to you though as when I used to do just TWO 16-hour shifts, I was just whipped the next 2 days!

[rnin02]

I frequently do 4 12 hour nights in a row, that isn't too much of a problem. I rarely do 5 12s in a row...that's a little harder. For me though, if I know its coming, I can mentally prepare myself for however many days I'm doing in a row, and I'm okay. I do keep a running count in my head and review it every afternoon in the shower, I like to "hear" the shifts to go decreasing in number!

[smirn80]

the past 3 pay periods, ive done 6 straight in each pay period, n have worked 10 days per period. its doable as long as u take care of urself. Plus I do psych nursing so i guess that also helps.