8 or 12 hour shifts

kalycat, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

I work 6 8s then 2 8s. I have a set schedule. I used to work 12s. I much prefer 12s. With 8s, you had better be on point with your time management because if crap hits the fan and you get back to back admits or something, time will run out on you really quickly.

Also, 6 shifts in a row pretty much sucks. By the end of that first week, I'm exhausted and my first day off is spent sleeping. That said, I don't have small kids at home or anything, so I mainly just need to deal with my mess...er... Responsibilities.

db2xs · Mar 1, 2016

I work 12-hour shifts and love the flexibility and freedom of only working three days a week. It can be exhausting, sure, but I don't have to go to work five days a week, which is a sheer joy

ShaneTeam · Mar 1, 2016

Have worked both, and am working 8's now, but really prefer 12's.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

I prefer 3 8hour shifts or 2 12s... Right now I do 2 12s and love it !!!!!

Debilpn23 · Mar 1, 2016

When I lived up North I worked 11Pm-7Am Mon-Thurs. Now in Florida I work 11Pm -7Am Sun -Thurs. Both jobs were in Assisted Living

Whitesranch, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

I prefer 10 hr shifts! Too old for 12's and full time 8's is too much. I have small children so 2, 10 hr shifts a week suit me just fine! I have done every shift combo you can think of. I work 12p to 10p, my husband is home by dinner time so our kids only have to be at the sitter for about 5 hrs, 2 days a week. Do whatever works best for your family!!ðŸ˜ŠðŸ˜Š

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Mar 1, 2016

After 5 years of working 3x12's, I now work 5x8 + 3x8. I have mixed feelings about it. Being able to block-schedule 5-6 days off was nice but often the 3x12 per week were spread out so I didn't have blocks off, anyway. During the days that I was working, nothing else was really an option by the time I accounted for ADLs and commuting. With an 8-hour shift, I can still live life on my work days. It's harder to have a string of days off, though.

Both have their benefits and their drawbacks.

LPNTOBE2017 · Mar 2, 2016

Hello everyone,

After reading all the posts it seems like the 3x12's hour shifts are the most popular. I will take that into consideration when I start working as a nurse which will be some time away. Do the LTC facilities in CT offer the 3x12's shifts?

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Mar 2, 2016

I do 4 8s. It's still FT by govt definition, and gives me 3 days off a week so I can get some rest. I did 12s when younger and it worked great, except always call ins or staff shortages and 3 days became 4-6 days a week. Now that I'm older, it would never work

SpaceCadet77 · Mar 2, 2016

A big factor is your lifestyle when you are NOT working. 12 hour shifts give you lots of free time in which to spend money to fill the time you have off! Of you have family or enjoy relaxation and recreational activities that don't require much financially, then 12 hour shifts are great. However, if you generally like to go out and pay for activities when you aren't working, then you may find that you have more down time to fill than your finances will allow. Remember that you aren't making more money, just making it in a shorter time. That was the case for me...I went back to 8 hour shifts and now my days off are "grander" because they are fewer. I do more eating out, shopping, going to the theater, etc. Things I wouldn't be able to afford if I was off several days a week and spending money to entertain myself and fill the time. It's really an individual thing...

As for the work routine...12 hour shifts may give you more time to attend to clients, administrative tasks, documentation and such, or the employer may develop a standard routine that requires more work and leaves you with a proportional work load to that of the 8 hour shift...it varies from place to place. Again, it all comes down to evaluating what is right for you.

Ludovica · Mar 2, 2016

12 hrs. For sure. More time off for you. You will need it. â˜º

giedre11 · Mar 2, 2016

Working 12 hour shifts will leave you exhausted and when you get home you'll have time to eat, shower, and hit the sack. The way your place of employ schedules the 12 hour shifts makes a huge difference also. If you can work 3 12s in a row and it counts as 40 hours, that's great, however to be scheduled to work 2 on and 1 off and sometimes they throw in an 8 to make 40 hours and that makes it difficult.