8 or 12 hour shifts

mikayyCNA_ · Mar 8, 2016

I am a PCT at a hospital and I love 12 hour shifts. Having 4 off days is amazing and gives you so much free time for plans, appointments, family time, etc. You could even work 4 days and that's 8 hours of overtime and you still get 3 days off.

For me, currently, it makes going to PN school and working full time so much easier! :)

Cucaluca · Mar 8, 2016

I personally feel the nurses who work 8 hour shifts are more engaged and in tune with what is happening on the unit. The 12 hour staff have trouble keeping up with emails, changes, notices, etc., they also seem to be "done" working after so many hours because they are tired.

I would definitely recommend a new grad work 8's. Your going to learn more just by the frequency you are at work. It's going to take a long time to feel comfortable when your working at most 6 shifts every 14 days. As a charge nurse it's frustrating when people have no idea what's going on because of their schedule. I understand work life balance, but I also question work ethic when it is all about the schedule being catered to personal needs.

sarose611 · Mar 8, 2016

Having worked predominantly nights, I hated 12 hour shifts! Its not like you work 3 off 4. No,no. Administration will have you work 2 off 2. On 1 off 3. On 3 0ff 2. If you work.nights, you are constantlybswitching back.and forth. No thanks!

NOADLS · Mar 8, 2016

8 hours shifts are more advantageous compared to 12 hour shifts. Why?

Patient's needs are divided between 3 shifts when 8 hour shifts are in play. When 12 hour shifts are the standard, it is only 2 shifts covering a day. The laws of physics state that in order to do less work, someone has to do more work. I like my chances with 2 others nurses on shift between my shifts (also more time between my shifts).

littlenewnurse · Mar 8, 2016

I work 5 days a week and I love it. I get weekends and holidays off which most nurses who work 3 days a week don't get. I also have more time when I get off work to still get things done around the house, run errands, or do whatever I have to do. The thing about shift length is you can argue that one is better than the other but it's all in the eye of the beholder. It depends on what you want and where you work. Most 5 day Weeks are in outpatient centers where the workload is significantly lighter than inpatient workload. I used to work 3 12hr shifts when I was in school and I hated it. The shifts were long, tiring, and I was burned out. Now I have a set schedule, with higher pay than my 3 days shifts, weekends and holidays off, full time benefits, etc. also, many of my colleagues who have kids think that 5 day work weeks are better for them because they can spend the weekends with their kids. But again, it's all about perception and what you want. Don't let one opinion for or against a particular shift be your deciding factor. :]

Julius Seizure · Mar 8, 2016

12s. In an inpatient setting, even if you work 8s you still will have weekends and holidays so there's no benefit there. 12s means 3 commutes to work instead of 5 so I also save on gas.

And like another poster said, I couldn't do this five days a week.

missannabelle · Mar 9, 2016

I have worked both, and prefer 8s. I like having some daylight left at the end of my shifts, so I feel like I have a life outside of work on my work days. And with 8s, if I want to work a long day, I can do a double shift, work 16 hours (which isn't that much more tiring for me than a 12) and make time and a half for part of it, and double time for the other part. So, one double shift is equal to 22 hours pay... Which feels way more worth the extra effort than 12 hours...

almala · Mar 13, 2016

Where I work, majority of the lines are 12s, 4 on 4 off. I would prefer three 12 hour shifts in a row, but am happy to not do five 8s

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Mar 13, 2016

Got a different job in psych, still 8s. I got a call for a correction position but it was 12s & NOCs. I couldn't handle that position. I love my 8s & my body doesn't like working nights.

missprnqday · Oct 6, 2016

I have worked in LTC doing 8s for 7yrs, we don't do 12s here. I like doing 8s because my entire day isn't shot, I can still run an errand after work and get home when my daughter does and cook dinner and have time to do things in the evening. I also only have .6 bid so it's easy for me to pick up OT. I do about 2 double shifts (16 hrs) a pay period and my OT pay starts as soon as I've been on the clock for 8 hrs. So if I need to stay late to chart or meet with the supervisor I get paid OT wages. If I worked this .6 as 12 HR shifts I would have to pick another 12 HR straight time shift to hit 80 hrs for the pay period, and then pick up more to get any OT pay. I'd rather do 2 16 hrs shifts and 4 8s and get the OT pay. Having a low bid also makes it easier to get time off for all the camping I do in the summer.

THIS!

I feel absolutely the same exact way! For myself, 2 16's, 4 8's, or 2 12's is the way to go!

KJoRN81, RN · Oct 11, 2016

I know this is an old post but I thought I would throw in my 2cents anyway. I have worked both 12s and 8s and while I hate the long shift, it is nice to only be at work for 3 days.

However, I have recently transitioned to part-time 8s and I freakin love it!

Dovedane · Feb 22, 2017

I would like stay at home or care management back,,,any ideals.?