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

[november17, ASN, RN]

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.

Yea when I hear the same people at work complaining about not getting a lunch break I just think, "so?" I always take my lunch break. I don't understand why others don't manage to do so. I can see going later if you're in the middle of a code or something that you absolutely cannot pull away from (like you paged a doctor about something critical and are waiting for them to call back). Every time we get someone new on the unit (especially CNAs) I tell them, "No matter what, always take your breaks." It is the mantra I preach to everyone that will listen.

But at the same time it is always the same people that complain that they can't manage to find time to pee or eat. Time to improve your time management skills and work flow, people. Stop crucifying yourselves.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I like 12-hour shifts. I hate rotating shifts.