How Many Days Do You Work?

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Specializes in NICU.

The last 2 months I've had didactics, so I've been in class 1 day, and then working my other 2 on the unit, each week. But this was the last week of didactics and now I'll be starting to work my regular 3 days on the unit.

I'm trying to get an idea of what kind of schedule I want. While I was on orientation I worked my preceptor's schedule ... 3 days, in a row, each week. I'm full-time, so I do 3 days a week, but I just absolutely HATE doing 3 days in a row. I know most people, especially on night shift, LOVE working their 3 all in a row. So maybe I'm just weird or a wimp .... but I hate doing them in a row. And I'm a nightowl anyway ...... I don't stay up all night on my nights off, but I don't switch to a day schedule either and get up at the crack of dawn. So it's really no problem for me adjusting to a night schedule if my week is split up.

We do self-scheduling, so this month I tried to schedule myself 2 on, with 2 or 3 off, then 2 on, 2 or 3 off, etc. Does anyone else do this?

What kind of schedules are you guys working? Do you do your 3 in a row? Do you split it up? Do you ever pick up extra shifts and work 3+ days a week? I'm just curious as to what everyone else is doing.

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Specializes in ER.

I am doing three a week, NOT in a row. I'm not sure I could handle three in a row. We do two in a row, with 2-3 days in between, then 1. I like it that way.

I just started night shift this week, after spending my first 7 weeks on days. At this point, I have absolutely no intention of switching back to a "day" schedule on my days off. I have just been experimenting with doing a modified version, going to bed a little earlier and getting up a little earlier. That seems like it will work out just fine once I get in the groove.

I am also not interested in picking up any extra time. Three twelves is more than enough for me!:bugeyes:

Good luck with everything!

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Specializes in ER, Critical Care, Paramedicine.

My schedule is 3 12 hour shifts a week, but in a world of nursing shortage I work 6 12 hour shifts a week

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

I work a 24-hr week. About as much as this old new nurse can handle. :mad:

Also work 3-11; one week I work 3 in a row, alternate week I don't. Just started the 3-11 shift which I hear is very desirable on this floor (step down telemetry unit). Have a lot to get used to but I can see it is less stressful than days with the docs, PT, RT, case mgrs, etc. all around. We have a lot of admissions on 3-11 plus the families are there but so far it's been good.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

I work 3 12's as well with the option of self scheduling.

Lately I've been doing Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at the hospital, and Fridays doing PRN Home health!

Ideally, and starting next month I will do this I want

Monday, Tuesday, off Wednesday, Thursday hospital, Fridays PRN home health. So then I get 2 on, 1 off, 2 on, 2 off..not bad @ all!

We only work weekends once every 8 weekends, so thats not bad at all to me.

So 4 days of work per week..sometimes I'm nice and pick up one more doing the home health..but no more then 5.

You'll find the schedule thats right for you. But if you cant do 3 in a row, dont! Do what you can do, and people fill in there schedule around you. But be flexible, since everyone else is also being flexible with their schedule.

suzy253 :I used to LOVE 3-11 shift, it wasnt too early for me so I didnt have to get up at the crack of dawn, and it wasnt too late for me, since I used to go to bed around 11ish. I'd still be up by 10am and could run errands. That was a great shift!

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Specializes in NICU.

Wow, it sounds like I'm not the only one that hates working 3 in a row.

I think it works out good with our unit because a lot of people like to work 3 in a row and they have their own set schedules. Some work every Mon.-Wed., others work Tues.-Thurs., others Fri.-Sun. So I can schedule myself on days that they're short. We do all online scheduling, so you can see what days are shorter than others ..... I try to be as flexible as I can, filling myself in where I'm needed.

I'm like LeesieBug ..... I'm not interested in picking up extra shifts. Right now 3 a week is PLENTY! Maybe once I get more into the groove of things and feel more comfortable then I could pick up extra here and there. But not right now.

Thanks for the responses so far!

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg/Oncology.

Three is definitely plenty. I have been scheduling myself for three in a row when I work the weekend. We have to do 2 weekends and 1 Friday. I figured that if I was working Friday night already, my weekend was pretty much shot; so I might as well do them on the weekends that were already down the tubes. I don't know if I can keep doing that as this pregnancy progresses. I've been sooooooo tired. We'll see what it's like when this first trimester is over.

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I have been orientating on days for the past 6 weeks In October I will be on nights 7p-7a. Most of the night nurses I have talked to like to work their 3 days in a row and schedule themselves off with 6 days off then another 3 days in a row. The new schedule is out and I scheduled myself 3 nights in a row. Hope i can do it. I know I am tired doing 3 days in a row. I am such a day person after 46 years I think nights will be difficult for me at first. BUt am willing to try as there are no day openings (or a waiting list for days) As a new grad I thinks nights will work better for me as the day shift is really crazy around here to get an hint of organization.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

3-12's on a level I trauma ICU, preferably NOT im a row. As was discussed in another thread, us older nurses don't have problems getting jobs but I think we feel the stress on our bodies more than the others. For that reason I think I'm going to put myself on the waiting list for the weekend program... 24h/wk but get paid for 36 at premium pay.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I'm an LVN who works the alternative two-day plan, also known as the Baylor plan. I have Monday through Friday off, then work two 16-hour double shifts on Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 10pm. The benefits of this schedule are the fact that I'm paid for a 40-hour week and have 5 days off in a row. Currently I attend school during my days off so that I can chip away at my RN prerequisites.

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Specializes in Telemetry.
My schedule is 3 12 hour shifts a week, but in a world of nursing shortage I work 6 12 hour shifts a week

how do you do that? is that 6/12's every other week? or everyweek?

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i am so envious. I was just thinking about this as I am making out my next schedule. We self schedule too.

I am full time, 40h/week but they WONT LET NEW NURSES DO 12's until six months. I have only been working since June.

They seem to think it will burn them out quicker.

I'll tell ya, working 3 or 4 days in a row, and then only one day off, and then another 3 or 4 in a row, is burning me out far quicker than would a 12, followed by an 8, followed by a couple days off. I am totally exhausted. We have to work e/o weekend, and at least one friday during each schedule. I manage to get about one whole weekend off a schedule, because there is usually something going on at some point outside of work that I have to not schedule myself for (kids events etc). The week runs from sunday thru saturday and its just hard to figure it out.

I am older, not used to working full time and just having a hard time with it. My days are closer to 9 hours sometimes, since I am still a little slow on getting new pts charts together, orders etc. I do love the evening shift, that is the best part of the entire scheduling fiasco; but I can't stand having to be there 5 days out of 7.

You all who get the 12 hour shifts are so lucky.

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