Longest Shift You've Worked

[SilverBells, BSN]

As nurses, there may be times we are required to work long days. The other day, I successfully worked my first 23 hour shift.

What is the longest shift you've ever worked? 

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I would never and I mean never allow an employer to take that kind advantage of me. Barring a natural disaster or unusually emergent situation I make sure I am appropriately compensated for any and all overtime worked. Working 23 hours straight is simply not safe and it’s foolish to believe otherwise.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

If you are working 23 hours there is something seriously wrong with your work place. That is not safe and is not something you should be proud of.

[SilverBells, BSN]

This was my third 20+hour shift within 10 working days; last Monday was 20 hours, last Friday was 21 hours, yesterday was 23 hours. I took today off

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

11 hours ago, SilverBells said:

As nurses, there may be times we are required to work long days. The other day, I successfully worked my first 23 hour shift.

What is the longest shift you've ever worked? 

Based on previous posts, I don’t believe for a second that you were REQUIRED to work 23 hours straight but rather chose to. Which has been address ad nauseam in multiple posts.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I don't care to say because this is not a contest I want to win. I will say it was not 23 hours. I would never ever consent to that. Unless there were a disaster.

[SilverBells, BSN]

33 minutes ago, JadedCPN said:

Based on previous posts, I don’t believe for a second that you were REQUIRED to work 13 hours straight but rather chose to. Which has been address ad nauseam in multiple posts.

No one specifically stated I needed to work those hours, you're right.  However, the assigned workload basically requires it in order to ensure everything is successfully completed.  For example, days will be long if you are manager and floor nurse for more than one unit along with getting multiple admits. Or dealing with the assortment of grievances from unsatisfied patients and upper management basically expecting you spend an hour on each one.  Or having emergencies or patients suddenly deciding they want to discharge. 

[SilverBells, BSN]

People keep asking more and more from me on a daily basis.  Frankly, I don't have much to give anymore but my perfectionistic tendencies and desire to please still somehow keep pushing me to produce as much success as possible.  Hence, the long shifts.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Let go!

[SilverBells, BSN]

3 minutes ago, SmilingBluEyes said:

Let go!

???

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

9 hours ago, SilverBells said:

No one specifically stated I needed to work those hours, you're right.  However, the assigned workload basically requires it in order to ensure everything is successfully completed.  For example, days will be long if you are manager and floor nurse for more than one unit along with getting multiple admits. Or dealing with the assortment of grievances from unsatisfied patients and upper management basically expecting you spend an hour on each one.  Or having emergencies or patients suddenly deciding they want to discharge. 

I have been a manager in an LTC/SNF and was never told to work those kind of hours. In fact I was encouraged to empower my nurses to use their skills and judgement to communicate directly with physicians and families, act on emergencies and coordinate transfers to the ER/Acute hospital on their own. If your employer is not encouraging you to do the same they are abusing you and also setting you up to take the blame for any adverse events and negative outcomes that occur and get the attendtion of state surveyors.

Hppy

[amoLucia]

I thought I was illegal after 16 hours!