8 hr shifts vs. 12 hr shift

[luv2shopp85]

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!

[mamiekay]

I guess what everyone's really saying is that only you can decide if you can work 12's. I started on 8's, night shift. I always felt like I was struggling to keep up and rarely got out on time in the mornings. It was a little easier to participate in family life on the days I worked, and recuperation didn't take as long. BUT...in my facility, if you work 12's, you work every 3rd w/e instead of every other. Especially with nights, I felt like I was missing out on too much family time. Now I work 3 in a row most of the time, occasionally do a trade & do 4, which I actually like. It can be tough, but I'm all about the days off! Most of the time I get to keep my same patients & just pick up a couple new ones at 11p, so it does make the night a little smoother. I already know 3-4 of my patients so changes & progress are easier to track. Occasionally I either float the first 4 or take a few patients on our unit & then get "bumped" to a new pt load. That bites! But it doesn't happen often. I wouldn't trade my 12's for anything and am just biding my time until a day shift opens, which won't happen for a couple years.

[dfs1961]

Love my 12 hour shifts. I work two 12's a week, have 5 days off and feel like I am a stay at home mom who gets out twice a week and uses her mind. Love my job and my 12's!

[CBJ123]

the twelve hour shifts are worth the extra days off during the week. the only draw back for me is i have little ones and daycare around here isnt open 24hrs a day. 630am-6pm. i have to be at work at 645 and dont get off till after 7pm. but i think thats the only real draw back.

[admorn03]

I love working 12 hours. I work at a hospital 45 minuites from home for this very reason, not only becaue of the 12 hour shifts but also because I work weekends only. Friday and Saturday 7p-7a. I love it. I have the whole week off with my kids to help with school, volunteer, and take better care of myself 9ie. massages/spa day/me day). Some of my co-workers ask me how come I don't work at one of the 4 hospitals 15 minutes from my home, especially with the Wisconsin winters. It is simply at this time, because I only work 24 hours a week but get paid for 36 hours. Sweet. the other hospitals near me have only 8 hours as far as I could see, and to tkae care of two kids 8 and 13 on a single income, I would have no choice but to work fulltime.

Could you imagine working 10days 8 hour nights out of a 2 week period. I could not, I would loose my mind. Because I love night shift. Days are way to disorganized and hectic. There is plenty going on to keep one busy on nights believe me.