These 12-hour long insane shifts that leave us tired both physically and mentally, and allow just enough time to get home, shower and sleep before going back to work-- and we hardly see our families during our work runs-- how did this all start in the first place? Whose bright idea was it?
While it might be convenient to only work 3 days a week, those three days are hard and take 2 days to recover from. It's not healthy long-term. By the end of a shift nurses are tired and mistakes can happen.
Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.
I don't like the 12 hour shifts, but I've been doing them for over 2 years. Prior to that, I was a 0.9 FTE 8 hour shifts on night shift. I hated that even more. I had no life, was crabby all the time, and felt like all I did was work and sleep. For some people, it really is the lesser of two evils.
proud nurse, BSN, RN
556 Posts
I don't like the 12 hour shifts, but I've been doing them for over 2 years. Prior to that, I was a 0.9 FTE 8 hour shifts on night shift. I hated that even more. I had no life, was crabby all the time, and felt like all I did was work and sleep. For some people, it really is the lesser of two evils.