How many hours can you legally work in 1 day?

[NoWaNrN, ASN, RN]

I thought that you could only work 16 hours in one day. I work 12 hour shifts and a nurse came on at the same time I did, then at 7pm they came to relieve me from my cart and count. I said are you working all night? They said yeah until 7am! That is 24 hours! I don't know when they would be able to clock out for 4 hours because nights are really busy because there are only 2 nurses. I have only been at this place a couple weeks and have told the DON that I think staff/patient ratios are bad, she said "we are well below state ratios" well I have been around long enough to know that they work STNA's and nurses when they are short. I also know that they get around the aid shortage by having the receptionist, schedulers, human resource people state tested in case state comes in they can pull those people and be above guidelines. So if you know of the hours and patient to nurse and pt to aid ratios or a good site will you post it. this is for LTC. Thanks.

[jmgrn65, RN]

I always thought that you had to off for 8 hours in a 24 hours period. But I don't know that to be accurate. I would call OBON, and dept of health.

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Great question. I was taught 16 hours unless an emergency was called by that facility. Then it was 20 out of 24.

[Hoping2beRN, BSN, RN]

barefootlady said:

Great question. I was taught 16 hours unless an emergency was called by that facility. Then it was 20 out of 24.

This is exactly what the hospital I work as states. When they say "your allowed to work a double" it is meant for 8hr people.

I used to work 20hr shifts as a PCT but then the hospital said "No". The only time since then that we have been able to work a 20hr shift is when we were under snow emergency and the next shift couldn't make it there in time.

I would seriously think of finding a new place of employment. Remember, they will continue on after a lawsuit or whatever, but its YOUR license on the line. Don't let ANY employer put you in the situation where your license can be at stake.

You worked TOO hard to work in these conditions!

[caliotter3]

I've worked 18 hours and 21 hours before, both in extenuating circumstances. Didn't really think about the implications until afterward when I considered what would have happened to me if something went wrong or I fell asleep at the wheel while driving home. I wouldn't do that again. I actually don't even like the idea of 16 hour shifts anymore. Gettin' old.

[stardogdaisy, RN]

I work at a US government Medical Center. Congress passed a law last year that nurses are only allowed to work 12 hours with at least 12 hours in between shifts. If we ever have to stay later than 12 hours, it would be due to a major emergency and it has to be cleared through our associate chief nurse. I agree with the above response, you should consider looking for new employment. The way your institution is run sounds like an absolute nightmare. And it sounds like the patients are probably suffering as well.

[Hoping2beRN, BSN, RN]

stardogdaisy said:

I work at a US government Medical Center. Congress passed a law last year that nurses are only allowed to work 12 hours with at least 12 hours in between shifts. If we ever have to stay later than 12 hours, it would be due to a major emergency and it has to be cleared through our associate chief nurse. I agree with the above response, you should consider looking for new employment. The way your institution is run sounds like an absolute nightmare. And it sounds like the patients are probably suffering as well.

I work at a hospital and they let the weekend warriors work 16 hour shifts. I have a team leader that does it every weekend?

[Hoping2beRN, BSN, RN]

Forgot to say...

I have looked up this topic and can't find any legislation on it, everything I find says its up to the institution and nursing staff since the medical field has on call...etc. Could you point me in the right direction?

[stardogdaisy, RN]

I think that this law may just be VA wide. I spoke with a nursing student that is doing her role transition at VA. She accepted a position in a private sector hospital. She said that the nursing employed in the private sector continue to work 16 sometimes 20 hours shifts. she also said that they can be mandated if management deems it an emergency. Hope this helps. VA is a great place to work, with lots of awesome government benefits.

[Blessednurse2009]

I have a friend that works 8 hours 7-3 M-F and considering working 2 nights a week 7pm-7am. If the day starts at 12 midnight until 12 midnight the following day, you consider that a 24 hour day. You work 7-3 resting from 3 until 7, then work from 7-12, that's only 12 or 13 hours. Is that legal?

Blessednurse2009