12 hr shifts

Does anyone know how the 12-hr shifts work in TX for full time nurses? DO you work 3-12's for 36 hrs a week or 4-12's for 48hrs.?Thanks!

some do 3 12-hours and some do and some do a combo of 3 12-hours one week and 4 12-hours the next. I don't know about any doing four 12's, though. It may happen, I just don't personally know of any. The 3 12-hours is considered full time.

Where I work, 3 12's each week (36h/pay period) is full time for benefits. I usually work 4 12's then 3 12's in a pay period for a total of 84 hours. Some work 3 12's then 3 12's and an 8 to get 80h in a pay period. I personally don't like to work 8's, if I'm there for 8 I might as well be there for 12 and get a few OT hours.

The hospital I work for has what they call a "matrix". It's 84 (4 hours are OT) hours every 2 weeks. The schedule repeats. If I work Mon Tues then I'm off Wed Thurs. Work FRI Sat Sun then off Mon Tue. It's the first schedule that I have ever had where I could make a Dentist appt ahead of time.

The hospital I work for has what they call a "matrix". It's 84 (4 hours are OT) hours every 2 weeks. The schedule repeats. If I work Mon Tues then I'm off Wed Thurs. Work FRI Sat Sun then off Mon Tue.

Same here.

I have also talked to some other nurses who do "self Scheduling 12 hour shifts" But not sure how that works.

scheduling is not a "Texas" thing, it varies from facility to facility and often within the facility. Our hospital works 3 12 hr shifts per week USUALLY, but some floors work 3 one week and 4 the next. In Texas, if you are scheduled more than 40 hrs. it is not mandatory overtime. It is only mandatory if you were not scheduled but were told you had to stay (at least that is my understanding)

I am the Director of Nurses at Limestone Medical Center, my nurses work 12 hour shifts. they work 1 week 2 days and the next 4 days including every other weekend. (example: Mon-Tues then Sat-Sun-Mon- Tues then Mon-Tues. The way this works out is they work the same days every week and then they work every other weekend. All our shift are like that and I do not have many call in.

[/url]well, as you can guess i'm a nursing student....

i have a question...

from what i've heard and read...is it true that most nurses don't work everyday (m-f) on a typical 7 or 8 hour shift ? is it more like you work a chunk of time a few days a week? how are most work schedules set?

:confused:babyrn_06

most hospitals or nursing facilities work 12 hour shifts, which is 2 days during the week and every other weekend. if the weeks ends on saturday midnight, then an every two week pay period gives the nurse a full time pay check.

works good for my nurses.

judy wright

limestone medical center

groesbeck, texas

arial

[/url]well, as you can guess i'm a nursing student....

i have a question...

from what i've heard and read...is it true that most nurses don't work everyday (m-f) on a typical 7 or 8 hour shift ? is it more like you work a chunk of time a few days a week? how are most work schedules set?

:confused:babyrn_06

I have a question...From what I've heard and read...is it true that most nurses don't work everyday (M-F) on a typical 7 or 8 hour shift ? Is it more like you work a chunk of time a few days a week? How are most work schedules set?

Everyplace does something different, so there is no universal type of scheduling for nursing. But if anyone's looking for a M-F day job, nursing isn't it! True, there are doctor's offices, clinics, and scheduled surgery jobs, and those usually have pretty "normal" hours, but if you work in a hospital, forget about it. Even the most senior nurses don't get that schedule! I mean, day shift M-F only makes up 40 hours of the week, and a week is 168 hours!

Most hospitals have a mix of 8 and 12 hour shifts, and most places you have to work at least 1-2 weekends per month. Many day shift positions require floating to nights a few times a month. Usually if you work evenings or nights you don't have to float to days. Some places let you choose whether or not you prefer your days on/off clumped together, others kind of do it for you. When you go on interviews after graduation, these are great questions to ask nurse managers, so you have an idea of what that unit does. GOOD LUCK!

Since I've started doing 12s many years ago, I have lost any interest in 8 hour shifts for many reasons, namely:

-The idea of working 3 shifts a week, instead of 5 is great. True, 12 hour shifts can be longer and more draining but once you get used to it-you get used to it.

-If you're married(or w/ kids) it is easier to schedule your life around everything. Most people shy away from Nursing because they don't like working nights, or holidays, or weekends. It's actually an advantage to most people since there is more flexibility with work hours; my wife and I can both work without any childcare issues, ergo-cheaper.

-And speaking of cheaper, working less days during the week translates to less commute(cost of gas is ridiculous), less laundry loads which means less energy consumption, less food(unless you pack lunch) expense, etc..

Bottom line is: 12 hour shift ROCKS. Call me Cheap, but I prefer FRUGAL. :chuckle