Is it time to get rid of 12 hour shifts?

[country mom]

I'm interested in a discussion on the topic of 12 hour shifts, and I surmise there will be some strong feelings both for and against. I love a good debate. Do you think it would be better to get rid of the 12 hour shifts that have become quite standard on many nursing units?

The pro's: - some nurses like compressed work weeks in regards to child care, "having a life", etc.,

- less commute time

- more days open to moonlight somewhere else

- more days away from the workplace

The con's: - some studies show an association with increased errors on shifts longer than 8 hours.

- going 12 hours without eating/bathroom break is harder than going 8 hours without eating/bathroom break

- greater physical exhaustion after 12 hours, my legs don't hold up as well now as they did when I was a newbie in my 20's.

Just wondering what others thought.:typing

[MB37]

I don't believe I would have considered nursing as a career if 8 hour shifts were the only choice - while I have worked 5 days a week at several jobs in the past, it was always by choice when I needed extra hours. I've never done the traditional 5x8h schedule, and I have no desire to. I think it's great that at most hospitals in my area, 8, 10, 12, and 16 hour shifts are available. I work critical care, and we only do 12s, but if I change my mind about my desired hours I can always try another department - even ER offers some 8s. Many of us enjoy working 3x12s, or even 2x16s, and I hope no one ever takes that option away from me. I will add one caveat - pretty much everyone at my place of employment takes breaks. We all actually sit down and eat lunch at least 95% of the time, and I've never heard of anyone (except on allnurses) going without peeing for an entire shift. I live in a right to work state where there are few unions, so it's not like we're well-organized and fought for it, it's just the culture where I work I guess.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

A hospital in my area has 8,10, and 12 hour shifts. I don't see why hospitals cant arrange things so that they have different shift hr options

[RaspberryTX, RN]

- going 12 hours without eating/bathroom break is harder than going 8 hours without eating/bathroom break

If you are allowing someone to force you to go 8 to 12 hours without a bathroom break, you have no one to blame but yourself. I'm always amazed at what some people will put up with.

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

Many of the nurses at the facility where I do clinicals swear by the 12 hour shifts. In fact, I was speaking with one about them just today. She told me that the hospital seemed so interested in hiring her, she practically got to choose when she wanted to be there. I, also, just interviewed at another facility in town; they, too, were very accommodating. I asked about the possibility of working 11a-11p and without hesitation I was told that would be no problem. I really like the idea of fewer days to work, no real major lifestyle changes and the chance to say yes to OT if I want to. For me, it's a good situation.

Great topic, BTW!

[ShayRN]

NOWAY would I work 12 hours consistantly. I did it for a year and felt like a zombie. After about 10 hours my brain starts to fry and I know that I am pushing my luck passing meds. I can do it every now and then if pushed, but I am much more able to cope with 4 eight hour shifts than 12's.

That being said, I am one of those crazy people who love and I mean LOVE 2nd shift. I have never been a morning person and feel my best in the late afternoon and early (to late) night. I drive my husband crazy when he wakes up in the morning and I am still painting a room or scrubbing carpets, ROFL. I have been on afternoon's for 10 years and am NOT willing to switch.:)

[Mom2Chaos]

I love working 3 12 hour shifts!!!!!!! I NEVER want to go back to 5 8's!!

[soulofme]

I do 4 10 (plus) hrs...I couldnt handle 5 8's...I like my 3 days off...

[Penguin67]

Yes, yes, yes it is time to get rid of the 12 hour shifts! I think that I've written about my opinions about this before, so I'll be brief here. Nurse burnout is high with 12 hour shifts, as well as call-ins for being sick. (You might be able to work for 8 hours with the sniffles, but many opt not to work for 12 hours with sniffles.) Also, solves the issue of getting people to staff meetings and inservices without blowing your off day, as it could be either before or after an 8 hour shift. Another plus is that people would be more apt to stay over to help the next shift if it extended an 8 hour shift versus a 12 hour shift.

A solution to getting people to work 3-11 is to bring back "7 on-7 off" shifts, where you work 7 days straight then off for 7. Nothing like a week's break to rejuvenate!:twocents:

[Jaybird310]

I've been working 2-12s and 2-8s since the beginning of August and I dreadfully miss my three 12s. I'm someone who personally likes to work 3 straight 12s and be done with my work week.

I dread the day (if it ever comes) that I have to work 5 8s, five full shifts just seems like it would be ten times the stress of 3 12s.

[crb613, BSN, RN]

I like the 12's myself....I work 4 one week, 3 the next. I just had knee surgery and the 4 12's are rough right now.....may need that adjusted! I would prefer to do only 3 every week......that would be perfect for me.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Not going to find anything new on this thread, I think. Some people love 8 hour shifts, wouldn't consider anything else. Some people love 12 hour shifts, wouldn't consider anything else.

Some argue that longer shifts are more likely to make mistakes, or too taxing on the body. Doesn't hold up. Some argue that shorter shifts make you less likely to make mistakes, or are less tiring. Also doesn't hold up.

Thing is, some people work better as 8-hour employees, some as 12. The glory of nursing is you can find ANY shift that suits, somewhere. We have some per diems that work ONLY 4 hour slots, no kidding.

Our employees work 8's or 12's, and we always have flexibility on that score. Sometimes an 8 hour person is asked to stay for 12, and they can say no. Or yes, and earn more $$. And sometimes a 12 hour person is asked to work an 8, and they too can say no. Or take the extra time off.

Me? I work 12's, three per week, no fourth. Unless I sign on for an extra shift when called, of course, and that's totally my choice. I have occasionally done a "short" shift (low census, personal plans, holidays, whatever), and occasionally stayed an extra 4 hours in rare circumstances.

If I were required to work only 8 hour shifts, I'd still work no more than three days a week. If that were not amenable to the facility, I'd take my license to one that DOES have the flexibility I need. I find my job too taxing mentally and physically to drag myself in five times a week. I NEED the days in between for my 'real' life, LOL: my family! :)

[leosasha]

No way I am going up in there more that three times a week so I'm all for 12 hours. If I was to do 8's it would be 3-11. It's my favorite 8 hour shift.