12 hour shifts vs 8 hours.. Pros & Cons

[Nursedee1]

I currently have a 8 hour shift, but I feel like im

at work everyday. I have recently found a 12 hour shift which is 3 days a week. I'm wondering if I made the right decision to transition from the 8 to 12 hour shift, but I was looking for ppl who have experienced this b4 & transitioned from one to the other... Your input of pros & cons would be greatly appreciated.

[loriangel14, RN]

The longer shift took some adjusting to but I love my 12s. Yes with 8s you feel like you live at work. Now I get 3-4 days off in a row and its great.

[SilleLu]

agree with above...having 4 days off every week more than makes up for a few long days. 12 hour shift allows more time to get everything done as well.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I personally preferred 12-hour shifts, especially when I was a floor nurse. I'd rather work three compressed shifts and enjoy my four days off. The 8-hour shifts caused me to feel bleak, as if I was always at the workplace.

Some would say that the rest of the world works 8-hour workdays. However, there's a difference between nursing and other occupations (e.g. bankers, teachers, call center reps, social workers, lawyers). We tend to deal with more crap, strong emotions and displaced anger from patients and families, so I'd rather extricate myself from the situation four days a week.

[CNAAJ]

I worked 8's lasted one month after I first became a nurse and I found a job working 12's I just can't do the 8 hour shifts I felt a burn out coming on really soon

[Nursedee1]

I totally agree with u all about feeling like your at the workplace a lot & that was why I ultimately made the decision to transition to 12's. I like the idea of having the 3 days a week & multiple days off as it would benefit me with having small children. The anxiety I had about accepting the 12hour shift job over my current 8hour, was because I do enjoy my job & I know everyone. I'm familiar, so I was trying to weigh my options to make sure I was making the right choice. Thanks to everyone who commented your insight is greatly appreciated.������

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

While I do miss the extra 8 hours of pay (72 vs. 80) I would NOT go back to 8's.