Length of Nursing Shifts

[KeitanTaylor]

I am posting this topic for discussion as an assignment for one of my nursing classes. I am curious to know what everyone thinks about the debate of switching nursing shifts to only 8 hours instead of 12 hours. This is a tough one, and I haven't researched the pros or cons so that is why I am bringing it up for discussion. I know of one hospital that one of my friends works at where the nurses do 7 12 hour shifts in a row, so 7 on and 7 off. I can see why a nurse would like that schedule, because having 7 days off in a row is nice! From my own experience as a student who is precepting, after 2 12 hour shifts in a row I am mentally and physically exhausted! With that being said, it really is nice to have all of the days off in a row. I am excited to hear feedback!

Thank you :)

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

Well personally I prefer 12s, but I guess the data is showing that 8s are safer for patients. I haven't looked it up myself though so I can't really comment on the quality of that data.

[PixieRN14]

My first job was 5 8's and I never felt completely drained at the end of my shift. They only thing I hated was it was night shift, so basically I felt like I had no life. I now work 3 12's on days and I enjoy the four days off, but by the end of my shift I am exhausted. If I had my choice 5 8's during the day would be perfect.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

3 12's 7p to 7a....just right!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I work 12's but would LOVE to work 8's. I'm 60 and 12 is just exhausting. PLUS all you can do is work, sleep, shower and commute when you work 12s. With 8s- you can still run to the grocery, make a dentist appointment, have dinner with the fam- and still get your sleep.

Just wish there was a choice offered.

[Angeljho, MSN, NP]

I currently work 5/8's and it's just draining. I feel like I'm always at work and never really have time to do anything.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm scheduled to work 5 8s. However, my specialty requires call. I've worked anywhere from my scheduled 8 hours to 21 hours (just waiting for the day I work a full 24 hour shift), then come back at my normal scheduled time (3 hours between!) to work another shift.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

I'm scheduled to work 5 8s. However, my specialty requires call. I've worked anywhere from my scheduled 8 hours to 21 hours (just waiting for the day I work a full 24 hour shift), then come back at my normal scheduled time (3 hours between!) to work another shift.

I work 5 8s as well with call. Some days you work 8 hours, some busy days (like this week) you end up working 3 12s and 2 8s. But the overtime sure is nice:

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I have worked 8's and I have worked 12's. There are pro's and con's depending on what the specialty is and the individual personality of the nurse.

With eight hour shifts your day is not consumed with your job. You still have time to relax, cook dinner, run a few errands after work and overall don't feel exhausted at the end of the day.

With 12's, you will have on average 3-4 days off per week. However, you won't have much time to accomplish anything on the days that you work so a good portion of that time off is going to be dedicated to running errands, md appointments, house cleaning, and if you have a family that cannot for the life of them figure out how to use anything other than a microwave to prepare a meal, you will be cooking on your days off and packaging it for when you will not be home in time to prepare dinner.

For quality of life, I preferred day shift 8 hour days but haven't seen too many opportunities for it :-(

[PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I've read the argument that 12 hour shifts give the patient more continuity of care, but 8 hours prevents exhaustion of the nurse therefore allows for safer working conditions. I personally work 8's and I like it that way. I'm also not technically full time and can work anywhere between 56 and 80 hours per 2 weeks, though I usually end up averaging around 70. I love my schedule, but I also walked into a days/evenings position as a new grad.

[tuxedopenguino]

was not a fan of 8 hour nights FT...12 hour shifts are exhausting and the whole day is commute, work, eat, sleep...but I'm loving all the days off in between...!

[cynmrn]

When I worked at the hospital full time, I worked 3 12 hour shifts (7p-7a) and in general, liked it. I don't think I'd be able to deal with night shift if I had to do it 5 days of the week. I usually worked 3 on, 3 days off, then 3 days on, 5 days off. The days off were unbeatable. It was particularly good for vacations, because using just 3 days of PTO could get you about 11 days off in a row! It is true, however, that your life is eat, sleep, work on the days you're on, and by the last day you are often just trying to survive.

I now work 5 8-hour shifts, and there are a lot of merits--being able to be home for dinner every night with my kids, being able to participate in events, etc. But, sometimes, during my jaded/tired moments, I wonder if I'm getting THAT much more time with them. I don't get home until about 5:00, so it's the game of starting dinner/homework/etc. until their bedtime at 9:00. When I had days off with those 12 hour shifts, they were off all day. But, I guess it's just a toss up, a give and take!