16 hr weekend shifts

PMFB-RN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

I LOVE 16 hour shifts. However they are not for everybody. I used to do them all the time but in this area we are no longer allowed to schedual them, supposedly for patient safety reasons. However whenever the hosptial needs staff THEN 16 hour shifts are perfectly OK. To me either they are safe and those of us who can thrive with them should be allowed to schedual them, or they are not safe and we shouldn't be doing them period.

I see it this way. I already got up and took a shower and drove into work. I might as well make as much money as possible for that. I require long periods of down time to destress and take care of myself. 16 hour shifts results in more days off for this. I find being physicaly fit helps greatly in tolerating 16 hour shifts.

Flo., BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

16 hrs is a really long day. After 12 hrs I am exhausted, I can't imagine doing 16!

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

The thing about working straight weekends is that at the beginning it seems awesome especially with DVR being available. After a while though you'll want a day off when the rest of the world is off.

Jules A, MSN · Feb 18, 2011

I have always had a weekend option job and love it. How old are you? 16s do get a bit harder as we age.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

I find 12 (which actually turns into 13) hour shifts are plenty for me. I would not function well with 16 hours.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

I hate them. especially when i am mandated to stay for 16 hours when I came in thinking i would be gone after 8-13!

EmergencyNrse · Feb 18, 2011

What you're describing can be very rewarding if you negotiate it properly. Often called a "Baylor Program" you commit to every weekend. They should compensate you anywhere from 12.00 to 15.00, even $20.00 more per hour. 16's are amazing if you get doubletime after 12-hrs. Then you get to realize a 40-hr workweek check for just working the 32-hrs. Sweet!

The major drawback I ran into and you should consider this too. EVERYTHING happens in this world on the weekends. Parties, social events, weddings, funerals, seemingly everything! Some Baylor contracts do not allow you time off even if you find coverage for your shifts missed. You get like 2 weekends off each year and that's it. Can be tough.

True Baylor Programs can pay off if you do it

2 16's and 5 days off! You won't know what to do with all the time off...

Good luck.

Katie5 · Feb 18, 2011

Take the 16's and then have some fun on your days off:). Like someone said earlier- Sweet!

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

I do the 16 hours shifts on the weekend (Baylor shift). I've done it for three years and I feel that this year might be my last. It is good to only work two days, but understand that the Monday you are not good to do anything at all really.

I get four weekends off per year, so like the other staff basically four weeks. You have to factor in when you are taking a 32 hour weekend off, you claim for 40 hours of PTO to get a normal paycheck, or at least that's how it works at my facility.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

i see it this way. i already got up and took a shower and drove into work. i might as well make as much money as possible for that. i require long periods of down time to destress and take care of myself. 16 hour shifts results in more days off for this. i find being physicaly fit helps greatly in tolerating 16 hour shifts.

i think that is a great point which is often overlooked. frequently we hear people say they can't work out regularly because they are just too tired. fact is, we are often too tired because we are out of shape. i used to get up at 4:30 am and work out before my 12's. i injured my back several times and have quit doing that (among other "excuses"). i got up and jogged on the treadmill last week before a shift i knew was going to be a bear, and i have to admit, i felt great when i arrived and got the through the shift just fine.

i could do a 16; what i don't feel so sure about is being able to follow it with another one. maybe it's an age thing...

joanna73, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2011

I am healthy and physically fit, so I could probably do one 16 hour shift, but I know I wouldn't want the second one. It depends on personal preference. While it might be great having all that time off, if the hours don't fit, it isn't worth it. I also question how safe I would be working that second 16 hour shift. Also, I find that even with working 12s, the first two days off I have aren't very productive or relaxing. I'm tired. It isn't until the third day off that I actually feel like it's a day off.