How many consecutive 12-hour shifts do you consider safe?

[09NewGrad]

When I was in school I always thought that two consecutive 12-hour shifts was the most I ever wanted to do because I always felt so worn out doing 12 hour shifts doing my preceptorship my senior year.

At my current job that I started in October, they have me doing three 12-hour shifts in a row, I get one night off in between, then I do three more 12-hour shifts in a row, I get a week off, and then I repeat the process all over again. I am getting worn out, burned out, and the week off isn't worth the LONG week of work. It doesn't feel safe and I get so extremely exhausted, especially on the 6th 12 hour shift. I finally talked to my manager about it and she said she would see what she can do about my schedule, but nothing has happened yet.

[stevenfmurray, BSN, EMT-P]

I think it's what YOU feel is safe. You know your limits. And it's a bit relative. For example, as a paramedic, I have worked 48 hours straight with no time off, gone home for 12, then come back to work for 12+. I can remember weeks where I worked 100+ hours. They can force us to work up to 50 hours w/o a break. To me, that definitely isn't safe.

What are do you work in?

[polock4life]

you can work a lot more than 3 twelves in a row...but as stated you need to feel comfortable. Some people aren't built to handle the rigors of long shifts, but don't tell that to our men and women in the armed services. You could easily handle weeks in a row and be fine although your home life may not be so fine

[twentytenRN]

I think it's personal and individual as to what you feel is safe for you. I personally cannot do more than 2 twelves back to back. If I do 3, I'm too tired and it's just too much for me. I can't imagine having your schedule! I think that would lead to WAY too much burnout!! Especially as a new nurse! I avoided applying at one hospital for an internship because they did 8* shifts 7on/7off. No thank you!

[rn/writer, RN]

Some people aren't built to handle the rigors of long shifts, but don't tell that to our men and women in the armed services.

Guilt trips don't usually help when someone is struggling with their own tough situation.

As for how many twelves in a row are safe, that's a highly individual answer. A lot depends on how many other responsibilities you carry.

Some people choose to bull through a year of working crazy hours to save for a down payment on a house or pay off student loans. To do that successfully, I'd recommend being single and childless or having one heck of an understanding spouse.

Others recognize that they aren't built to withstand that kind of stress and limit the number of hours and days in a row to something that won't make their heads fly off.

An important fact that you pointed out is that it isn't only the hours you work that matter, but the time it takes you to recover afterward. If you need two days to catch up to yourself and another day to gear up to go through the meat grinder again, you don't have seven real days off, you have four.

Are they doing this to others on your unit? Maybe you can coordinate with someone else to split the days better.

[Zookeeper3]

look, I've done 9 pluse 12 hr shifts in a row.... I live 10 minutes from work and get on a work kick and knock them out. that is me evaluating each day if I'm rested enough to come in to help.

My normal schedule is friday through Monday, 4 in a row so for my weekend off I get 4 off.

everyone is different and it takes time to work more in a row. The more you do it you just may like taking your patients for three days in a row... then done.

If not, and your not ready for that.. just speak up.... not everyone can do more than two in a row.... that however makes a sucky schedule.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

It's individual. I think it's easiest for those of us that have been nursing for a while (when you know what you're doing, you expend less energy than a new nurse that's running around flailing wildly) but not so long that our bodies are starting to wear out.

I like to knock out a bunch in a row. For me, it takes me a day to recover whether I work one shift or 10. And it's easier for me to take patients I know being a little tired than a whole new crew because I took a day off. But that's me.

Sounds like you're new to nursing, so a shift is going to be more exhausting for you.

[Batman25]

If you don't feel safe there is your answer. Don't jeopardize your patient's health or yours not to mention your license. Perhaps even 2 days off between them would help you and then you have a week off. That might give you some extra rest.

[LifelongDream]

Consider working a fulltime schedule split with someone else. There are a set of nurses in Pedi and NICU that I'm aware of at our hospital. They say it works out well for them and if the need arises for more money, there is never a shortage of extra hours. Good luck!!!

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I can handle 5 12s in a row. Anything past that, I just get burnt out and my house is a wreck and I'm out of clean scrubs.

[AnnaN5]

I agree with others who say it is a personal thing, not everyone is the same! I routinely did 4 in a row on nights so I could get a long stretch off. On days my schedule never has me do more than 3 in a row. Our hospital policy is to not allow you to work more than 60 hours in a 7 day period whether you want to or not.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

For more than three years I worked 12-hour shifts with a schedule of 3 days on and 3 days off in a row. I felt fine on most days, but keep in mind that I was in my early twenties back then and in better physical shape than I am now in.