How many 12's?

[fleur-de-lis]

Just curious, how many 12 hour shifts have you worked in a row? How many do you think are safe to work in a week?

I am a ABSN student in my last semester (residency), and this summer I am doing two 12's with a clinical preceptor and one 8 with the nurse manager as a part of my management class. On top of that, I do one 12 at a different hospital in a paid position as a student nurse/tech. I start this schedule tomorrow, and I am wondering what I am in for! This week I have a day off after two 12's, then do my 3rd 12 and the 8. The week after that I am scheduled to do the three 12's and 8 all in a row, but I might try and switch up the schedule. Thanks for any thoughts! (Off to sleep now, must conserve energy!!!)

[tgb3rn]

I worked 2 full time 12hr shift jobs for a little over 2 years, the worst month I can remember was 24-12's in a row, 2 off, then right back at it. I no longer do this anymore WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! My wife just graduated her LPN program last Friday. I only did it to pay for her school and to keep up with the bills, 3 kids, house, cars, and on, and on.....

DON'T EVER DO THIS!!!! I am now 37 and feel like I'm about 60, My beard is grey, hair is getting there, back ALWAYS hurts. The only good thing about it is that now she OWES ME..BIG TIME:devil: .

Tom

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I normally work 3 12's in a row cause I'm weekend option. Its not bad and I've gotten used to it.

The most I've ever done was a 12, 16, 16 and the last day of 16 hours was the day from hell. I'll never do that again. I was catching myself doing mistakes left and right and had an extremely needy patient that was a sexual assault case. What a bad day.

[anonymurse]

One of the ED nurses swaps 5 nights with another (5 on, 5 off). She says it makes them feel they're getting decent little vacations all year long.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

I typically always work three 12 hour shifts in a row. I like them together. On my work nights, the only thing I plan for is work, sleep, shower, and eating at some point. Nothing else. It is very doable for me, and I am no spring chicken either.

This month I am working four 12 hour shifts in a row every week. Also, very doable.

I start pushing the line physically and mentally when I do 5 or 6 nights in a row. I will do it to have vacation time without having to take actual vacation time though.

My 12 hour nights are rarely 12 hour nights though. They are 13 or 14 hour nights.

[lelia]

Hi, I have worked as many as 5, 12 hour shifts in a row and was exhausted after. The schedule I really liked the most was the 7 on and 7 off. 5 (8's) and 2 (12's) and then 7 days off. It felt like a vacation everyother week.

[jslo]

I usually work atleast 2-3 12 hr shifts on the floor, and 1-2 8 hr shifts in the office, not bad when your combining patient care and office work, (I'm also the QA coordinator and UR nurse).....talk about short handed!

[LadieRn]

I usually work (3) 12 hour shifts per week. I do not work (3) 12's in a row. Usually I work (2) 12 hour shifts with 2-4 days off then (1) 12 hours shift.

[jojotoo, RN]

Five 12s in a row is the most that I can do, four 12s are not a problem, and three in a row seems like a piece of cake.

[Fiesta Red]

One twelve hour shift is too much for me. I lose my focus after about 8 hours. I'm an 8 hour person, luckily.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

About 15 years ago when I was younger I worked 8 in a row. 3 days shifts and 5 night shifts. I was trying to save money for my move to Florida.

I think 3 in a row is safe. 4 in a row is possible if on is young, healthy and focused. Otherwise I don't think nurses should work more than 4.

[MarySunshine]

A few weeks ago I did an 8 hour night shift followed immediately by 6 12's in a row. I do not recommend it and I agree with Tweety about the safety aspect of it. Even though the shifts were not particularly busy, relative to how busy things CAN get on my unit (thank goodness), I seriously thought my mental health was starting to leave me.

[queenjean]

3 in a row is cake, 4 is more difficult, 5 in a row is my personal limit.

I used to be of the philosophy that I needed to only eat and sleep on my work days, and I felt exhausted. Now I put in 30 minutes on the treadmill, lift a few weights, have breakfast with my family, and hang out until 10am, and only THEN do I go to bed. I find that I am much more mentally there with some exercise, social interaction, and 7 hours of sleep than I was with 9 hours of sleep and no life on my work days. Before I started this routine, 3 in a row was my limit.