"Older" nurses and 12 hour shifts

[MQ Edna]

A recent medscape article "oldies are goodies" talks about the value of "older" nurses (age 45 and up) and how to best retain them. the article suggests that

Quote

Twelve hour shifts are difficult for 30 year olds; it is necessary to offer numerous choices of days and shifts for older workers.

According to this article, I'm an older nurse (age 45). Personally, I like working twelves and having a 3 day full time work week. I wonder how many of you 45 and over still work twelves and how many do not? If you are working twelves do you wish you could be offered other choices (such as 10's or 8's)?

I think one of the things managers should keep in mind with "older" nurses is insisting they work swinging shifts. This was the case at the job I just left, and it is the reason why I left. Many of the big metro hospitals (at least in my area) insist that everyone work swinging shifts and only a select few (those who have been with the system 15-20 years) get out of this requirement. I worked with several "older" excellent nurses at my past job who where really struggling with the swinging shifts and even compromising their health because of it (sleep deprivation when on nights).

[DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN]

Allison Moore said:

Hi David! I do NOT know how did all those wild shifts and especially the 22 hours with only 9 hours off to recharge!! I would be a zombie and a very dangerous nurse not to mention at the age of 60!! 

I was in my 30s when I worked those hours. We didn't work 22h, we finished at 22h (or 10pm in the US!) Early shift 7h - 15h. Late shift 14h-22h. The late followed by an early was a killer. And when you did get off an early at 15h, you were so tired you just went home to bed!  Yes it was dangerous and it was the change to those hours that was a big factor in my deciding to leave that particular hospital.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

Im 75y, 12 hr shift little tuff since I had bilateral knee replacements 

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

sallyrnrrt said:

Im 75y, 12 hr shift little tuff since I had bilateral knee replacements 

I'm 69 — Still loved 12 hour shifts even after my bilateral knee replacements.  Although I did choose to work nights at first because there were more opportunities to sit down.