12 hour Shifts?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 23, 2009

Most of the nurses where I work are 8 hr shifts. There are 2 who do 12s and a few who do 10s. Most are 7a-330p, with an occasional 11a-7p or 3p-11p. No idea about the PACU nurses' shifts.

shodobe · Jan 23, 2009

We have no 12s but me and another nurse have been working 10s for years.

megaman · Jan 23, 2009

why would anyone want to work 12 hours a day,

when do they sleep

KayceeCA · Jan 24, 2009

I did 12 hour shifts in the OR for a few years because of family needs, but it was rough. Now I do 8 hour shifts, and it's so much better. It sounds great to just work 3 days a week, and it really is helpful if you have a lot of demands outside of work, but OR nursing is so physically demanding, I found 12 hour shifts to be just too hard.

DNRme · Jan 24, 2009

I work 12s. As long as I am here, I might as well get it over with. I can't imagine going back to 5 days a week!

Guest296136 · Jan 24, 2009

I'm working 12hr shifts now on a very busy oncology floor, I get to sit down for 30 min for lunch and when I get to use the bathroom. Could 12 hr/OR be that much more physical?

linda2097 · Jan 24, 2009

I'm working 12hr shifts now on a very busy oncology floor, I get to sit down for 30 min for lunch and when I get to use the bathroom. Could 12 hr/OR be that much more physical?

You'd be surprised how hard O.R. nurses work, including lots of heavy lifting.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jan 24, 2009

why would anyone want to work 12 hours a day,
when do they sleep

I'd do 12's in a heartbeat...you get 4 days off during the week! Plenty of time to sleep then.. I work M-F 3:30 pm to 12am.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jan 24, 2009

You'd be surprised how hard O.R. nurses work, including lots of heavy lifting.

And crawling on the floor occasionally, dodging equipment and cords, being on your feet in one spot for hours when you're scrubbed. We also handle all our own heavy patients...no lift team comes to the OR. We handle our own codes as well.

I lost 5 pounds without even trying when I first started circulating..I'll wear a pedometer at times and I'll log about 5 miles a shift.:chuckle

luckyfortune · Jan 25, 2009

Hi Mercy65,

Are you working 12 hours on days or nights? I'll soon be working nights (12hrs too). How do you manage with your sleep schedule? thanks!

Justme123 · Jan 25, 2009

I work 11a-11pm and LOVE it! I have 4 kids at home and the 7-3 was KILLING me. I also prefer not getting up before dawn anymore, so this shift is great. More of a chance for some down time anyway, but not this last week. It doesn't matter anyway. I'd rather jam out my week and then enjoy the rest with my family, or even some alone time while they are in school!