I'm tired of working 4 X 12's

RNKPCE · Sep 30, 2011

How many hours a week is that? Sounds like 48. Are you getting overtime? That sounds really tiring. Most people who do 12's hate doing even 3 in a row.

stevethenurse · Sep 30, 2011

48 hours. I wish I was getting overtime - that might make it a bit more tolerable.

By the 4th night we are all zombies. Doesn't help patient care, but somehow the ease of scheduling us is more important than patient care.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2011

I feel you. I'm a permanent nighter, and this week I have 5 12's, with 2 days off. Exhausting. And they called me to work a shift on top of that. I don't answer their calls anymore.

Flo., BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2011

What state are you in? How many hours per pay check?

That sounds like way to much work for me! If you do not get a sit down no duties break then legally you should be paid.

stevethenurse · Sep 30, 2011

How many hours a week is that? Sounds like 48. Are you getting overtime? That sounds really tiring. Most people who do 12's hate doing even 3 in a row.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I never really thought of overtime. I just did a google search and it looks like you are right.

I guess this is the rule for California: http://nursesovertime.com/california-overtime-and-meal-rest-break-laws-nurses

I should be getting overtime after 8 hours. That is 4 hours of OT a day. I feel like a dope for not realizing that for 3 years. Now how do I ask them for it without getting fired??

OMG - looks like they are supposed to be giving me breaks too:

"In addition, nurses working 10 or more hours in a single day are entitled to two 30-minute unpaid meal breaks unless the work day will be no longer than 12 hours"

This is great, but I am not sure how they will react to me bringing this up.

This website has info for a bunch of states, FYI:

http://nursesovertime.com/overtime-and-meal-rest-break-laws-nurses-your-state

Thanks batmik!!!!

stevethenurse · Sep 30, 2011

I feel you. I'm a permanent nighter, and this week I have 5 12's, with 2 days off. Exhausting. And they called me to work a shift on top of that. I don't answer their calls anymore.

@Joanna73 - that is 60 hours a week!! I guess I shouldn't complain too much!

joanna73, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2011

More like 65 when you factor in the time for report. I usually work 5 and 2 and 5 and off one week. Still, the 5 shifts are very exhausting. In between, they are constantly bugging us to pick up. I ignore the calls. I think anything above 3 shifts is too much.

stevethenurse · Sep 30, 2011

@joanna73: Are you being punished??? That is just crazy.

Frankly, I am afraid that if I complain they will pull something like that on me. I know that when people have complained about harassment they either cut their hours or overwork them to get them to quit. If it takes too long for them to quit - they find some reason to fire them - after working 6 X 12's for a few weeks there is no way not to slip up and either you quit or they fire you for slipping up.

RNKPCE · Sep 30, 2011

You don't necessarily get overtime after 8 hours, you are probably under the alternative work week. It would be rare to be overtime for working 12 hour shifts if that is your regular scheduled shift. Now if an 8 hour person works 12 hour that is different. However I believe there are laws or maximum hours per week or pay period.

I found this on the web

Definition of Overtime

In California, overtime is any hours worked over 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. There is an exception if your company has instituted a bona fide alternate work week in which you normally work 10 hour days, 4 days a week – in which case the overtime is after 10 hours rather than 8, but still after 40 in the week. This alternate work week must meet certain formalities and can not be done on a person by person basis. ( another example 12 hour shifts)

Unless you meet an Exemption, California requires that all hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week or worked on the 7th consecutive day of a work week be paid at 1.5 times an employee’s regular rate of pay. In addition, hours worked over 12 in a day or hours over 8 worked on the 7th consecutive day in a week are paid at 2 times an employee’s regular rate of pay.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2011

Lol no steve, although it feels that way. According to our union, they are within their rights to schedule us for 5 shifts in a 7 day period. I still don't think that's right.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Sep 30, 2011

I would consult an attorney, you might have a class action lawsuit that could give you all that back pay, for you and your coworkers. Just make sure you are understanding the law though. If you just walk into your boss' office without information it probably won't go well. Best of luck!