8 hr shifts vs. 12 hr shift

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How do the rest of you med surg nurses feel about having 8 or 12 hour shifts? I was reading in a nursing magazine that its tough to work a 12 hour shift on med surg because its exhausting. While working a 12 hour shift in ICU or ER isn't too bad because you get to know your patient a lot more. I'm probably going to be doing Med/ Surg next year when I graduate and I'll be working 12 hour shifts. So I just wanted to see if its going to be the 12 hour shift from hell or if 12 hour shifts aren't bad. I'd love to hear everyones thoughts and opinions on 8 hr vs. 12 hour shifts!

I work 12's, I would rather work 12's and would love to have them back to back so that I have all those days off in a row, BUT, it is draining. I live 30 minutes from my work, so by the time I get home, it's get a shower, eat something quick, tuck my kids in, and go to bed. I get up at 5 am, leave by 6 am, then home around 8:15 pm. It's hard, but the days off are worth it. PLUS, doing them back to back allows for better continuity of care because you usually get the same group of patients. I am in my late 30's, so who knows, by the time I reach mid 40's I may change my tune!! But for now 12's work.

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Are the majority of the shifts out there 12 hour shifts? Or 8's? I have not experienced any nursing shifts so I don't know what I would like better (I'm a pre-nursing student), but I can imagine for me the 12 hour shifts would be better. I had to do 12 (or more :smackingf) hour shifts a lot where I worked, and I didn't mind them much at all. It was also not a nursing job (a crappy retail job, with really bad management and a lot of call outs, hence the reason I worked a lot of 12+ hour shifts!). I didn't mind staying late after an 8 hour shift, but hated coming in on my days off and working 6-7 days a week! I would rather do it all in as little days as possible!

Are the 12 hour shifts harder to get than the 8 hour shifts? What about the night shifts, are they easier to get? I am a night person and I think I would rather 12 hour night shifts..

Sorry everytime I post I always have so many questions! Good thing I have 4 years until I worry about all this :rolleyes:

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I work Ortho, also. After three 12 hour shifts I'm dragging but the 4 days off is totally worth it!

Prior to nsg, I never worked more than 8 hr shifts. I was a little nervous at first, but they arent as bad as I had imagined. I love them and couldnt imagine going back to 8 hrs. Ironically 8 hr shifts seemed to drag more than 12. But I am not gonna lie, I work on a very bust M/S ortho floor and am pretty beat when I come home. But 4 days off makes up for it.
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I love my 12 hour shifts, not only does it give you 4 days off a week but you can also pick up an additional shift here and there for the overtime. I am tired after a shift but look at it this way, if you work 8 hours 5 days a week you still have to go home and clean, cook, run around which is tiresome also. This way you work and sleep three, run and clean 4... isnt life grand/

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Another one who loves 12-hour shifts. It's exhausting for sure, but so are 8-hour shifts. I enjoy having four days off a week, which leaves me time for a life and to go to school.

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Specializes in Rehab, Step-down,Tele,Hospice.

I also love 12 hour shifts BUT I found I personally can not work more than 2 in a row or I start to get grouchy and burned out. I am lucky to work at a facility that allows me to self schedule. My co-workers sometimes make fun of me (calling me a wuss) but 3 in a row is just too much for my little brain to handle. I will NEVER work 8's again, even if it means no nights or holidays, its just not worth it to me.

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I prefer working 12 hours as well. Though I just started orientation, my schedule will vary, like this week I'm working 2 twelve's and 2 eight's...and then next week I'm working 5 eights I think....personally I couldn't stand working 5 8's in a row. Rather have more days off.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology.

The only problem is that I NEVER get out of that stupid hospital EVEN when I'm on a 12 Hour shift. I hate it.

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The only problem is that I NEVER get out of that stupid hospital EVEN when I'm on a 12 Hour shift. I hate it.

Yeah I know what you mean...:uhoh21:

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Our new DON wants ALL 12 hour shifts-that means the eve shift is now overnites- I would think that working overnite can screw up your life- we are trying to fight it.(the day shift is full.)..... Anyone against 12 hours? Most of us are over 40, If I wanted to work nites, that should be my choice- anyone in a facility that fought it and won/lost? Thanks

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I guess I'm alone in the crowd. I dont' like 12 hrs and I avoid them like the plague. I can't work 12 hr nights because I just can't go that long without sleep. For my 8 hr nights, I nap from 7 to 10 before coming in. 12 hr days aren't so bad, but they stink (for me) for family life. I would hate to leave before the kids (now teens) get up, come home, have enough energy to eat and then go to bed, knowing I had to do the whole thing all over again.

I don't think it's an age thing. I'm 45, but I've always felt this way. I don't think, for me, that the extra days off during the week would make up for how tired 12 hr shifts make me.

The only exception I might have made in the past was to work weekends only, but as far as I know in Canada, at least in Quebec, that option isn't available (work X number of weekends but get paid for more).

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I work 8 hour shifts and would never go back to 12 hour shifts. Fact is I still work a lot of 12 hour shifts, only now I get OT when I work the last 4 hours. In California, OT is required after 8 hours. Nurses can waive the right to OT in order to work 12's. I refuse to waive my rights. The reality of the nursing shortage almost guarantees me 12 hour shifts whenever I want them, so why should I give up the OT.

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