OR nurse schedule - 4 10's or 5 8's?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

What do you guys prefer? I will be working in the operating room and can choose 4 10 hour days (7a-5p) or 5 8 hour days (7a-3p). The day off is totally random with the 4 10's so it doesn't guarantee a long weekend. There's up sides to both - a day off is nice, but leaving at 3 everyday is nice too. The commute isn't an issue only 15 min away. Can't decide so would love others opinions on it :)

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

I'd take the extra day off.

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I am going to be starting i the OR soon also. I would prefer 3 12's but if that is not an option I would go for the 4 10's

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I LOVE my M-F schedule. If it were 7-3 instead of 7:30-4, I would be in heaven. Getting out at 3 leaves you plenty of time for running errands, scheduling appointments, making dinner, or getting ready for a night out with friends. Also, in most major cities, traffic is much better at 3pm than 5pm. If you have children (I do) leaving at 3 is much more convenient to get to after school activities and limit child care expenses. I don't miss the week day off at all. If I do need a day off once in awhile, I just take 8 hours of PPL.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I prefer my 5x 8hours. I'm beat at the end of those days, and when I'm on call and have to stay later, I'm really beat! I can't imagine doing longer shifts routinely.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I work 12s in the OR. I wouldn't mind 10s either. But I would die if I had to go back to 8's. I value that extra time off. When I worked 8's I always felt tired everyday.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

8s tend to turn into 10s anyway.... I'd go for the 4 days.

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