Longest Shift You've Worked

Nurses General Nursing

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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? 

Specializes in Oncology, ID, Hepatology, Occy Health.

Before nursing school I was a nursing assistant (nurse's aide) in psychiatry and we had 14 hour long shifts at the weekends. That is the longest I have ever worked.

Years later I was a Charge Nurse in a very abusive environment where my manager was a martyr who worked long hours unpaid and criticized me constantly for not doing the same. My response to that: I left! After a period doing agency I ended up getting a better job at a higher grade but if I hadn't got another job I'd have happily been an agency nurse forever rather than put up with that abuse.

SilverBells, your posts describe a disgraceful facility with appalling unprofessional staff below you and abusive management above you. Why do you stay?

Do you have a little of the martyrdom trait my old manager had? Do you like being seen to be in early and stay late? Do you almost like negative situations because you get some kind of satisfaction from the moan afterwards or like to be seen as the saviour? Do you not have a life outside work (partner, friends, family, social life, cultural activities, hobbies)? I'm honestly not being rude, I ask out of genuine curiosity because I have sadly known too many such people in our profession.

Bear in mind:

1) If you've been at work over 20 hours you are not productive and certainly dangerous.

2) Nobody thanks you for unpaid overtime.

3) 2 years after you've left the facility nobody will remember that fabulous nurse who gave her all. They'll be saying, "SilverBells?? Who???"

4) You're a long time dead.

14 Votes
Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I've worked 16.5 hours, but I honestly think past the typical 12 hours, you are unsafe to practice (I know some people disagree with me, but 16's should not be a thing). 

3 Votes
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 6/25/2021 at 7:55 PM, SilverBells said:

What is the longest shift you've ever worked?

As a houseparent, in 1979, I was once on duty for 112 hours. The other houseparent had to undergo an emergency appy.

As an LPN, in 1988, I was on duty for 21 hours, due to a snowstorm.

I got paid for sleeping in both circumstances.

4 Votes
Specializes in retired LTC.

I don't think that long haul truckers are allowed to work those crazy hours! Did you ever see them on the road just before a pullover station 'doing their books'?

I understand unforeseeable TRUE emergencies, but self-appointing oneself's as a 'redeemer/savior' is not apropos here. (NOTE: Am not trying to be offensive re any religious overtones.) This situation would have played out without OP's intervention, but this is what she does. Again - wash, rinse, repeat.

 

3 Votes
Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

A lot of times, I get involved due to staff specifically requesting it.  The evening/night nurses are especially prone to doing so.  I wish they would not, but once I hear someone needs help, I cannot unhear it.  At the end of the day, I like to go hide elsewhere to focus on my work, but nursing staff always finds me anyway.  I might have no choice but to leave before 7pm every night so I don't end up getting involved with evening staff's drama/dilemmas,  etc

0 Votes
Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.
11 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

A lot of times, I get involved due to staff specifically requesting it.  The evening/night nurses are especially prone to doing so.  I wish they would not, but once I hear someone needs help, I cannot unhear it.  At the end of the day, I like to go hide elsewhere to focus on my work, but nursing staff always finds me anyway.  I might have no choice but to leave before 7pm every night so I don't end up getting involved with evening staff's drama/dilemmas,  etc

You need to be able to say no! If there is an issue of them not knowing protocols to follow in certain situations or who their resources are during off hours, by all means, provide your staff with some training on the needs you identify. But they need to be able to function on their own when you're not there; this is for their sake as much as yours. "Sorry, I can't help right now, please call so-and-so, who is covering the unit tonight." Repeat as necessary.

3 Votes

Nope. Just no. I have rarely done 16 hours. won't do more than that (barring a natural disaster or something along those lines).

The SNF unit managers I worked with had spouses, kids and other things in their life. They worked 7-3. Sometimes would stay til 4 but that was rare. 

1 Votes
Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

I'm afraid that I'll have to disappoint you all today.  I worked only from 8-5.  I did not have the strength or the energy to work any longer

0 Votes
Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Thankfully, I left the floor in good hands with a strong nurse that I know can handle what comes her way without calling me at home.  I felt bad, but I had to leave because I was no longer feeling productive.  

0 Votes
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Why did you feel bad?

1 Votes
Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
35 minutes ago, klone said:

Why did you feel bad?

For leaving early. I'm sure there was more I could have helped with but I was too tired to do so

0 Votes
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Why do you think leaving after 9 hours is leaving early?

4 Votes
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