How many 12 hour shifts per week

jr2915sn · Jan 27, 2014

I think that 3 days of 12 hour shift is perfect. I think squeezing a 4th day to pay off bills may be the way to go. That or get a per diem job to work that 4th and/or 5th day and get paid a lot of money for it. It pays to work OT as per diem. Working 5 days of 12 hour shifts on regular pay rate (granted you get over time after 40/hr ... well depending what's considered OT) may burn you out and not pay you enough. Working per diem elsewhere may pay on average (at least in regards to me) 10 dollars more than what you originally make as a full-time nurse. Good luck on your decision! :)

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jan 27, 2014

Aren't we a priveledged group of professionals, that we do not HAVE to work overtime in order to pay our bills? When I was working as a waitress through school, I worked with plenty of single moms and young people who HAD to have 2 jobs and work their tails off, just to scrape by. I have met CNA's that are single moms, putting themselves through school, and still working full time. I think if you are so exhausted and depressed from working 50 hours a week, it is because you are not taking proper care of yourself, not because of the work itself. Sorry for the minor rant, but I have seen so many people (not nurses) bust their tails, working 50-60 hours a week, just to end up with no retirement, and not much to show for it. They worked 2-3 jobs so that they could keep their lights on, feed their kids, and hopefully give a better life to their kids then the one they had. Single moms don't have a choice, people working blue collar may not have a choice either. People work for $10/hour night and day just to keep the fridge full. I do not like hearing excuses about how working 50 hours a week made someone depressed or made them make mistakes. I do not believe blaming the hours worked is accurate, it is the person themselves, who could not handle this either mentally or physically. 50 hours a week is not that much... We are so lucky to have a job that pays the bills in just 3 days.

I have no idea what you're trying to say here, comparing a low-paying 60 hour a week job to a high-paying 60 hour a week job. Do you not think, that regardless of the pay per hour that people receive, that they might, just might, have issues with regard to work-family balance and being plain tired?

Also, do I need to point out that making a burger wrong at McDonald's is not the same as making a med error in our profession?

Do you really believe that everyone who works 60 hours per week in a high-stress profession and is having difficulty with it is JUST because they aren't taking care of themselves? Going to bed at 8:30 p.m.? Who are you kidding? People who have small children or older children in activities don't have the luxury of just deciding when they sleep, when they work out, etc.

Look, it's all great and all that YOU were able to do it. But you know what? I, in middle age, can work every single damn day of the week and still be able to do a good job. However, I have a family, and I miss them terribly on those long stretches that require me to get up, go to work, come home, go to bed, which, based on your 2030 bedtime suggestion, is exactly what you're advocating.

I have a friend who used to work 80 hours per week in his profession. He had to retire before he wanted to. He's single, lives alone, and is now LOST. Work is not everything. Money is not everything.

vintage_RN, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2014

I've one 2 on, 3 off...3 on, 4 off...and 4 on, 5 off (you either have one of those schedules where I work). I like 3 on, 4 off the best. 3 days off is not enough in my opinion and I cannot work 4 12s effectively...by the 4th day I'm just a zombie.

Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN · Jan 27, 2014

Since the average RN is mid-40's, and life's other responsibilities have neared their peak around this time, it's natural to hear the popularity of "3's enough". When I was young and bullet-proof, I worked 80+ per week for looong stretches (military deployments, so think in months) staying up and active for several days straight. Work a12hr night shift, then change clothes and head off to a full day of clinicals? BTDT, no sweat.

I'll just conclude by saying there is sufficient evidence of my ehem...limitations, these days.

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2014

I agree with a lot of what you said. I am definitely not trying to make anyone insulted, which often happens on these forums, unintentionally. You're right, I am working so much now because I don't have kids to worry about, or pets for that matter, just a husband and other family. That's exactly why I'm doing it now, before I have kids, a house, or elderly parents. 10 years from now, I know I cannot do this, nor would I want to. 20 years from now, I am hoping to have a 9-5 gig. I completely understand that not everyone can work overtime, nor would some want to. But I do think it can be done if someone really puts their mind to it and works hard on balance in their life.

I was just mainly trying to point out that we have it pretty good compared to a lot of professions and trying to make suggestions that worked for me to someone who is thinking about picking up extra shifts. I just want to remind us all that we are blessed to only have to work 3 days a week. Not trying to compare us to flipping hamburgers, just saying that many, many people work overtime in this country, even with small kids. They do it because they have to and most of us don't. We are lucky.

Also, if you want something badly enough, it can be done. If you have goals, like paying off debts, or buying a house, it is not impossible. I am simply trying to help the OP who is looking to work overtime and unsure if this is reasonable. So far, most people are advising against it. I am advising for it, to reach your goals. Hard work always pays off, and picking up extra shifts doesn't mean you will have to do it for the rest of your career, just for now.

Again, I apologize to anyone who took offense to my post. I did not mean to generalize or make assumptions about anyone. I just want to encourage those that are on the fence, but have financial goals. It doesn't have to mean your life is over, or that it will make you miserable. My husband and I paid off tons of debt and did a lot of traveling. Those were our goals and I know we won't regret working 50-60 hours a week to achieve those goals. Our new goal is to buy a house. I do not want to work this hard forever, so I'm working hard now, while I'm still young and have no kids so that later I can have financial peace. Thank you Dave Ramsey. (If anyone knows who that is)...

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jan 28, 2014

Ok, I now see where you are coming from, which is your particular lifestage right now. I and another poster are most likely (if I can speak for her/him) responding from a different lifestage all together, and the struggles we face with work-life balance that precludes our being completely happy with working 60 hours per week. My reaction was a bit knee-jerk due to the content of your post. Thanks for clarifying. I also responded to your post in another thread with vivid recollection of what you said here in your first post, so take it with that in mind. Please.

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2014

Ok I now see where you are coming from, which is your particular lifestage right now. I and another poster are most likely (if I can speak for her/him) responding from a different lifestage all together, and the struggles we face with work-life balance that precludes our being completely happy with working 60 hours per week. My reaction was a bit knee-jerk due to the content of your post. Thanks for clarifying. I also responded to your post in another thread with vivid recollection of what you said here in your first post, so take it with that in mind. Please.[/quote']
Sure I understand. Sometimes we expect people to know out life situations and we aren't very clear. I don't think I really contraindicated myself. In acute dialysis, My hours are truly bizarre and hard to define, which may have been the difference you saw. Sometimes I work 18 hours, sometimes 9. But I can sum it up like this- I have been working my butt off for almost 4 years now!! Haha... I agree that I may not work as hard physically as a floor nurse, but there is a lot of stress to all jobs. I have great, easy days, and then I have days where patients are crashing left and right. The only bedside treatments I do are icu, which are usually pretty easy. Unless they code and everyone blames dialysis! Thank god has only happened once. I usually explain it like this-acute dialysis looks easy because we know what we are doing. Wait til you see someone who is new or flustered- it ain't pretty! We often do patients at a 2:1 ratio in the dialysis room, by ourselves on a separate floor. But I am sure it is harder for a telemetry nurse to work 6 days a week, it's just the nature of the job. Maybe the OP works In surgery, or outpatient, or home care. We all face our own challenges in different specialties. These are also choices we make for ourselves in one way or another--I can tell you working that much isn't easy no matter what specialty you're in. :-O but again- it can be done!!

Caribbean Character · Jan 28, 2014

As a former truck driver I worked 70+ hours a week for 20 years, but it isn't very good for your health. I would recommend 60 at the most and even that depends on your age, health, etc.

Bouncyball · Jan 28, 2014

I would start with 4. If you have a family or even a pet...5 twelves is A LOT! Is this days or nights?

I'm working days.

Bouncyball · Jan 28, 2014

Thanks for all of the input, I did not think I would get so many responses. To clarify I work days, and I am lucky because the hospital is very close to my house (10 min). I don't have kids yet, but do have cats and a very supportive husband. I would like to get debt paid off before I have kids.

I think I may start with 4, and I can always pick up an extra day if I feel like it. I do eat healthy and get good sleep, but have no energy to excersise!

I have the motivation, but not the energy or time to work out. How does everyone find the time when working overtime and 12 hour shifts?

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2014

3 12's per week and I only work 2 on 2 off 2 on 3 off . I couldn't imagine working 4,5,6 in a row. Especially since my average get off time is like 8-9 sometimes 10am all to comeback that night. Hell no.

Instead I live in my means, treat myself and enjoy my life & family. The money / exhaustion isn't worth it

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2014

Thanks for all of the input, I did not think I would get so many responses. To clarify I work days, and I am lucky because the hospital is very close to my house (10 min). I don't have kids yet, but do have cats and a very supportive husband. I would like to get debt paid off before I have kids.
I think I may start with 4, and I can always pick up an extra day if I feel like it. I do eat healthy and get good sleep, but have no energy to exercise!
I have the motivation, but not the energy or time to work out. How does everyone find the time when working overtime and 12 hour shifts?

You don't...you have to choose. I bought a treadmill so it was at home and convenient. I would sometimes do the stairs on break or walk around outside on break...ALL BEFORE I had kids. Another 12 gets a majority eaten on taxes and you are EXHAUSTED