How many of you do rotating shifts? Day and night?

MJB2010 · Jan 12, 2011

I do and it is the reason I am looking for another job. I have already had one car accident due to exhaustion and I was lucky it was just a minor one. The effect of the lack of sleep schedule on my life is not worth it. My NM seems shocked that so many people quit after a few weeks and wonders why she cant retain staff, it is because she cant make a schedule to save her life. We swap amongst ourselves, but well people are reluctant to give up their days for a night, so if you swap you end up with all weekend nights.

It definately ruins my ability to think critically I can tell you that. Lack of sleep is awful. Sleep aids help you sleep, but not help you feel rested and alert.

Music in My Heart · Jan 12, 2011

We do this, but only on occasion and only as a last resort (this is my third week and then back to straight schedules).

It's rough and the fatigue persists for quite awhile after the shift.

As a tradesman, I accept it as sometimes necessary and I'm willing to pull the shifts just so long as it doesn't become routine. If it's every few months, though, I can hang. I know that the charge nurse understands the negative impact.

The only thing that ticks me off is that there's no differential for doing it. In fact, since I normally run nights, it actually costs me money.

Fiona59 · Jan 12, 2011

It's pretty much the norm in my region. 12 hours do a D/N rotation spread over 12 weeks.

8 hour rotations are D/E, D/N, E/N (these are rare) and D/E/N (very rare).

That's why Day shift units are highly sought after and never (well very rarely unless it's a pit of a unit) go to new grads.

0402 · Jan 12, 2011

We rotate, and if I'm understanding the way we schedule correctly (I just got off orientation, so next scheduling period is the first time I actually get to put in my requests), we can't even get one whole 6 wk period exclusively one or the other. I, personally, would be happy to take nights all of the time, if it means not rotating. I get really discombobulated when I have to do Fri night and then Monday day-shift.

PattiRN1023 · Jan 12, 2011

I do twelve hour day/night rotation. At my current place of employment I am mostly on day shift. I prefer dayshift; but, in a way, I like the rotation, because you have the opportunity to experience the "best" and "worst" worlds of each shift, which I feel makes me more rounded. However, the rotation is never consistent. I am usually plucked in the middle of a schedule to do a night rotation (for example, 3 weeks day shift, one day off, followed by 3-5 days nights and then back to days). I find it hard to adjust. In my last position, day/night rotation was 2 weeks days/2 weeks nights or 4 weeks days/4 weeks nights, depending on the nurse's preference. More consistency made it easier to adjust. Twelve hour day/night rotation is also the norm in most hospitals in my community and surrounding areas.

WindyhillBSN · Jan 16, 2011

What a nightmare! Hats off to you guys!

pinksugar · Jan 16, 2011

I rotate all of the time, often several times in the same week. I feel blessed that I am able to do it so easily. I know others have difficulty rotating. :crying2:

pooptacular · Jan 20, 2011

Upon starting my unit, we were offered either straight night shifts (12 hour shifts) or rotating months (again, 12 hours).

I chose rotational in an attempt to get on to days more quickly.

I do 2 months of nights, and then 2 months of days and so on.

I know this is probably different from what you're asking, though.:)

Poi Dog · Apr 23, 2011

Welcome to my schedule. It is like that because I am on the bottom of the totem pole. I don't mind it. I just have to make sure to leave my schedule everywhere so that I get the days and times correct.

BSNMommyof4 · Apr 29, 2011

I did a day/night rotation with my first position out of college and it was crazy. I was on 2 weeks days and 2 weeks nights with a baby at home. I never knew if I was coming or going and as soon as my body would get use to one schedule it would be time for me to change back. I just accepted a new position that will be day/night again but this time it's a little better because I will be on days for 4 weeks and nights for 4 weeks and my son is older now.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2011

I do with no type of set schedule. You will be days, nights, evenings in the same week. No idea what type of schedule will appear for the next month. Makes it difficult to plan anything since you don't even know whether you will be working days or nights and there is no such thing as maintaining a set sleep schedule.