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.

[JordiesMomRN]

In theory, your schedule sounds great, having the next week off. But, I'm sure that it is absolutely HORRIBLE to work so many days like that.

My limit is 3. Sometimes I'm really tired and sometimes I feel like I could go another day. As some the previous posts suggest, it really is a personal preference. I work with a nurse who loves to work every other day.

Good Luck! I hope your manager is able to help change your schedule a bit.

[SandraCVRN]

Good replies from everyone. The other thing is the commute. If I had to do the 1 1/2 hr commute I could only do 2 days in a row but if we had housing available (there was an old nursing scholl at my facilty where we could sleep) 3 days were doable. I would want at least 2 days off between 3 day stretches.

Good luck

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I typically work 4-5 12's a week. However, I try to avoid doing more than 2-3 in a row. I'll work 2, have a day off, work 2-3 and then off again. Breaking it up like that helps. I just did 4 12's in a row this week, and I'm definitely feeling it.

[RNforLongTime]

I don't like doing even TWO 12 hr shifts in a row. But I'm not a spring chicken anymore either. I'll be 38 in August. I just don't get enough sleep doing two in a row. I'm a person who NEEDS her sleep. I do 12-8-12-8 or 8-12-8-12 or sometimes 12-8-8-12. but they KNOW not to schedule me two 12's in a row. It was a LOT easier to do it when I was in my 20's.

[kcochrane]

When I first started the 12 hour shift, it was hard. I'm used to 8 hours shifts...but I did get used to it. I can do a 3 12 hour days - but that's me.

We have mixture of 8 hour day and 12 hour day nurses. Everyone has their own tolerance and own likes. So if 12 hours days aren't working out for you, then see what's available.

I agree with everyone else...what is safe depends on what you feel is safe for you.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Depends on the person. As long as I'm getting enough sleep, I could work indefinitely without compromising patient safety (RN happiness would be another story, though).

WHen I worked nights, I went through a 2-year stretch when I would work 6 nights in a row (Thurs-Tues) and then had 8 off. It just worked better for the family with my older kids, who were with their father half the time (I worked during the time when they were with him, so when they were with us, I was able to be a stay-at-home-mom for them). I never felt like it was unsafe, as long as I was able to get at least 6-7 hours of sleep between shifts. It worked well for me at the time, but I could never do it now (nor would I want to, even if I physically could).

[brillohead, ADN, 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.

That made me ... I can *so* relate to the laundry angle!!!

[polock4life]

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

No guilt trip, your interpretation was just not correct. One can handle it, it's a matter of getting accustomed to the schedule and rigors of the job. As stated being more comfortable is going to make the task easier and less draining.

To the OP just keep on with the hard work. It will eventually become second nature. I mentioned the armed forces because anyone can be trained to handle the long hours, but it takes training and it doesn't happen overnight. If you truly can not adjust, you may look for something with less 12's back to back, or an 8hr job. Your hard work will be rewarded and it will become easier to work those hours.

[guest2210]

If you cannot handle your current schedule and your manager has yet to change it, before the next schedule comes out, request the days off that you need. Some managers try to accomodate their staff but some don't even try. If you put your request in writing and submit it to your nurse manager (after you make a copy for yourself-(Cover Your Ass), then you can get the schedule that you feel safe working. Good luck.

[mamamerlee, LPN]

None - - I hit a 'wall' at about 10 hours, and if I need to make any important decisions after that, I have to think very hard.

In my young days, I worked doubles in an emergency - but then the adrenaline would keep me going. And I also dislike 'doubling back' which was working the evening shift, and coming back for the next day shift - I only got about 5 hours of sleep.

I have worked 12s when I had no choice, but I only worked 2 consecutive days. Just couldn't handle 3.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

I'm surprised in this day of "cover your butt because people will sue for any reason (or even no reason at all)" that hospitals would even WANT their staff to work six 12s in seven days. Seems like they're just asking for a mistake to happen!

[GM2RN]

I will be 52 next month and drive 45 minutes each way to/from work most days. I say most days because I have an occassional job in addition to my full-time job and that one is only 25 minutes away. I have no small children but I do have a 2.5 y.o. grandaughter that visits every other weekend.

I routinely average 5-6 12-hour shifts per week. Sometimes I work up to 12 in a row, have 1-2 days off, then come back for another 9-10 in a row. I have to make myself get into bed at the appropriate time and get the sleep I need or I wouldn't be able to do it. I have to be pretty organized on my days off to get housework and errands done. I never feel unsafe at work, but sometimes I do driving home.

Having said all that, I agree with those who said you have to do what feels right to you. But I also agree with the one who said you can train yourself to work the hours that you need to work. You just need to make sure you take care of yourself the best you can until you get there, or until you can get your schedule changed.