Is it possible for a RN to work five 12 hr days?

LeighaChristineSN · Aug 3, 2012

All you'll do is work and sleep during those days. You'll probably lose the day on the end of your stretch sleeping too. Just saying. But, if you think you can do it and be safe than go for it and see how you do.

nursewreched · Aug 8, 2012

In my first job in ICU, we did not have straight day shift positions. Day shift nurses did 5 days and 1 night per pay period. I would sometimes schedule myself 5 days in a row and the 6th work a night. It was tough, but doable. By the time I did the 5 days in a row, I'd be really tired and would sleep most of the next day, so getting up for the night shift was fine. Then I'd have 8 days off, which was great. But the factor that allowed this was that our ICU was not really that heavy. I moved on to another ICU where the patient acuity was much higher (as well as the stress level). I found the most I could handle there was 3 in a row. Physically, I could still handle working more days, but mentally, no. I was just so tired, I became snappy and grumpy. Which is quite the opposite of my normal personality.

So, if you mean 5 in a row to give yourself the occasional stretch off, you could probably do it. If you meant 5 in a row every week, I wouldn't advise it. Body has to recover. Mind has to recover. Both of those require "down time"

caliotter3 · Aug 8, 2012

I worked six 12 hour shifts a week for a couple of years.

roni42286 · Oct 16, 2012

Mom35: I just received an offer from Fort Duncan (med-surg tele unit). Haven't accepted yet. Still thinking about it. Is is typical to work 5 shifts/wk? That doesn't sound safe.

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2012

Mom35: I just received an offer from Fort Duncan (med-surg tele unit). Haven't accepted yet. Still thinking about it. Is is typical to work 5 shifts/wk? That doesn't sound safe.

Are you positive that the shifts are 12 hours? Most job offers do not consist of 60-hour weeks.

roni42286 · Oct 17, 2012

The offer I received is for an RN position at Fort Duncan where shifts are 12 hrs long. The director did not specify how many shifts per week nurses typically work. Earlier in the thread Mom35 mentioned she works at Fort Duncan and consistently works five 12hr shifts/wk. I'm trying to figure out whether or not to accept the offer and 5-12 hrs shifts/wk seems crazy! I'm also calling the director to clarify.

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 17, 2012

I worked with two nurses who worked full time (3 12s) at one job and PT (2 12s) at another. Both bosses fine with the arrangement and were flexible with schedule. Both that I am thinking of had kids and their husbands were stay at home dads. Makes sense if you can tough it out. I don't think you would be allowed to do 60 hrs a week in one place though.

I've done this before (three kids, husband who works 8-5). I would work 3 12s at one job and another 12 each week at second job.

I've also done 6 on, 8 off at night. Did that for a year. It's really not so bad, you get into a rhythm and for 6 days you're just sleeping and working.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2012

a lot of nurses where i work are required to work 3 12 hour shifts a week and eow, so theyll schedule themselves fri-wed (6 days in a row,, and have 8 days off in a row.

i would be really zombie like if i did that. i become incoherent by the end of my 3rd 12 in a row usually.

rn865 · Oct 24, 2012

Yes, I've been doing that for about a year now. I work 3 12hrs as FT in an urgent care and another 1-2 12hrs PRN at another urgent care. I am 27, married but not kids yet so I feel like this is the perfect time to be doing this. The perks with my FT job is it is only literally 5minutes away from home and it is not that busy. For my PRN job, it is 30mins away but I get paid $10 more an hour. You can do that especially if you do the other one PRN because you can choose to not come in for one week if u need to. Plus the enviroment is different such as your computer systems and such so you won't get as bored as compared to doing 5 days in the same job, I would think. Sometimes I get scheduled at both places up to 9 days in a row if I want to take a little trip and want to be off for some days in a row too. I got used to the 60-hour work week. Just make sure you eat right and get your rest too. The money is not bad either. :-)

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 24, 2012

it is possible,but not really smart. Fatigue increases the chance of making serious errors and/or having an injury. Plus, the reason you are working is to better your life in some way. Is working like that really a life???

I love my cat! · Oct 24, 2012

Yes, I did it. Not by choice, but through mandatory overtime. I guess my facility didn't care that long hours increase the chance of errors. Then, I had a 30-60 minute commute home (up to 2 hours a day on the road/round trip...on top of the 12 hours worked).

HATED IT!