leaving the hospital and 3 12's for working 5 8hours out of hospital

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Specializes in LDRP.

have you worked three 12 hour shifts in hospital, then left that for five 8 hours outside hospital? did you like the change? did it work out better/worse for family time?

i have a 3 12 hour hospital job. 3 nights a week, 7p-7a. been doing this for 3.25 years (did 1 yr of 3 12 hour dayshifts before that).

have a best friend who si a nurse and left for a "normal people" schedule of five days a week, 8 hour days-she loves it. no nights/weekends/holidays. so i've accepted a job with teh same schedule-community health.

im worried about how now i am only working three days, and soon it will be five days, albeit shorter days.

anyone else made this switch? did the schedule transition go well? any problems, expected or unexpected? ever wish you'd stayed with the three 12's?

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Specializes in oncology, med surg & corrections.

I did work 12's at the hospital for over 12 years and then made the switch. I work M-F 8-4 with 13 holidays and all weekends off. I have done it for about 18 months and I'm done with it. First, I really miss the hospital, but I also miss working 6 days out of a pay period verses 10. Don't get me wrong, it's nice at times, but most people I know work my old schedule and now I have to cook dinner every day:eek::eek::eek:

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I've done 2 12s and done 5 8s. My opinion is that it really depends on how long it takes you to get ready for work and your commute. If you have a long commute, I feel that I might as well stay the extra 4 hours and then have more days off. Also, depends on the job and expectations. I've had good 8 hour/day jobs and then I've had jobs that want someone to be there 5 days a week so they KNOW someone is there to deal with all the B.S. and hold that person accountable. Sounds like you will be working with your friend and she is satisfied with the working conditions. Do you have a spouse or children? What do they think?

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

I've done both and always prefer 3 12s. More free time and it's easier to do overtime.

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I am about to start 3 12's so I don't know how I will like it, but I like the idea of having free time during the week to schedule doctor appointments, dental cleanings, attending the kid's parent teach conferences, etc, without having to take time off to do it. I have had plenty of 8hr/5day week jobs and would sometimes put off something I needed to do (physical, dental) because it was not a good time to take off work. I know that many people make it work...I just hated taking off for something unless I HAD to and many places I wanted to do business with had the same work hours as I did.

Good luck in the switch! I hope you LOVE the position. That will be the biggest factor.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

i'm a huge fan of the 3 12s. i wouldn't have it any other way!

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Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.

I prefer 8 hour days. I like a routine. The 3-12's thing throws me off. When I was a bit younger it didn't really matter, but now that I'm older, and a mom, I prefer routine. I don't have it yet, but I do work 8 hour shifts. I'm able to get things done, and I don't need to devote a day to rest after 12 hour shifts.

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The family situation is a big factor. If I were an empty nester, single, didn't pickup my kids from school, etc 3-12's would be more tolerable. ...

As it is I loathed 3-12's, they were really 3-13's or 14's without OT pay. Not much time in the day left after that.

5-8's also give a baseline 10% income increase without assuming a pay increase from the job move.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I like 12s but like Kabin, my lifestyle currently doesn't allow me to work 12s very well. But 4-5 8s a week isn't too bad, especially since my scheduling is very flexible.

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I work 5 8hr shifts and I don't like it at all. I have to use vacation time for everything. I feel like all my time is spent at work and the weekends go by sooo fast. Hopefully, I will be going back to 12hrs really soon. Good luck!

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Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.

I did three 12's for 5 years then went to a home health job doing 4-10's with a flexible schedule. This was grade 9 thru 12 when my son was in high school. I never missed a ball game, swim meet or school event. I took a pay cut but the sacrifice was so worth not missing out on being with my son (I only have one child). Anyway, I eventually got tired of having a messy car, eating fast food, etc. My son went to college and I went back to the hospital (actually 2 jobs) and don't regret any of the decisions I made one bit. I have noticed, however, that my body can't take the long shifts on my feet like it used to! I can't say I have more time on my hands since I work two jobs but I do make more money and don't have to worry about the weather as much.

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

I'm doing the 5 day 8 hour thing again, but the only reason it works now is b/c of the hours (I work 0545-1415). If it were 9-5, that would suck. I'm still able to schedule MD appt and etc. I was doing 3 12s as a traveler @ night, so I was all messed up. Sometimes spent an entire day sleeping on my nights off. Also, someone else metioned 13-14 hours w/o overtime which also sucks. I guess my problem is I dislike working!!! Lol!

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