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!

Specializes in med surg, er.

I hate 12's . I am over 50 and we just started doing 12s on our weekends. The only good thing is we have to work a weekend only every 4th. I usually work 3-11 and love that shift. if we had to do 12 it is a lot easier for our PM crew to do 3-3 but the day shift nixed that. Having to go backand work a 12 ( 7p-7a )after trying to sleep during the day when you aren't used to it just kills me. That second 12 just can't get over soon enough.

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Specializes in med surg, er.

I hate 12's . I am over 50 and we just started doing 12s on our weekends. The only good thing is we have to work a weekend only every 4th. I usually work 3-11 and love that shift. if we had to do 12 it is a lot easier for our PM crew to do 3-3 but the day shift nixed that. Having to go backand work a 12 ( 7p-7a )after trying to sleep during the day when you aren't used to it just kills me. That second 12 just can't get over soon enough.

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I love the 12-hour shifts...they can be LONG while you're there, but I figure I'm already there 8 hours, so why not stay a few more and get the extra days off? Plus, as one person said, I always felt rushed in 8-hour shifts...having the 12 hours to complete my shift gives me a little more time to do more stuff. I work 2 days, off 2 days...so on and so forth...and on my weekends off, I have 4 days off...I love it!

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I Like 12's as well, but I will be damned if I will work over 8 hours for straight time. I work 12 only when I FEEL LIKE IT. And I get time and a half to do it.

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Specializes in Oncology, LTC, Home Health & M/S.
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.

I agree! Getting to work is half the battle. Once I am at there I would just as soon do 12 and get it over than have my 4 days off.

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Hi! I've tried working for both schedule, both have their pros and cons but personally I prefer to work :balloons: on the 8 hour shift. Its more apt for me and I can say I am productive and can concentrate better.

Have a blessed day all... Happy Nurses day!:monkeydance:

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I prefer also to work 8 hr shifts rather than 12 hour shift. I could function effectively and more productive. With 12 hour shift, i was so tired and less effective. I work 5 days a week but more happier and energetic.

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we do 2 12's 2 8's and oddly enough i love stayin for 12s bc it seems like you have so much more time to do your work..... in 8 hrs u feel overwhelemd i mean you have ths same amt of work just in 4 hours less.... althought waking up on an 8 hr day and knowing ull be home fast isnt bad either haha!!

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Specializes in med-surg-ortho-.

What IS the worse of two evils? I use to work 2 -12's and 1- 8hour shift a week.........that was great. Now I am in a new place and work 4- 12's in a row to top it off! We work 4 off 4. At first I was working two days (7am -7pm) followed by two nights (7pm-7am)...yes all in a row. Talk about complete exhaustion! I begged for all nights but still drag working 4 in a row. To make matters worse people ask for you to work for them so this week I am on for 5 12's in a row so my 3 days off will be wasted sleeping! And NO OT!!! :o

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I like 12 hour shifts and having more days off to recuperate.

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Well I just did my first six months of nursing on a surgical floor, 12 hour shifts...but on the third day in a row of 12's I fainted from exhaustion and bashed my head on the floor!!! :cry: Now I am reconsidering... I can't handle the 12 hours, obviously! Especially 3 in a row, it's just torture. It literally destroyed me!

I have not gone back to nursing duties yet but I am seriously considering going somewhere where I can do 8 hour shifts.

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i loveee 12 hr shifts. i do 3 in a row and then have 4 off in a row. allows me to have a life..go to school, be w/ my family, vacation. and when i want to take PTO allows me to have like 2 wks off at a time. another advantage is the fact that i usually get the same pt all 3 days, i know them and they know and trust me. plus your pts get continuity of care, my pts love it. sometimes i will admit and be w/ the pt their whole stay. by the 2nd day i can anticipate what the pt needs are and be on top of them. the MD also gets to know you for those days and its easier to work w/ them. so i wouldnt want it any other way.

some nurses have told me that 3-12s in a row is hard, but if you can its great.

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