Placement hours- what is better?

[May110]

Hi. In my school there are 2 different types of hour options. We can have two placements 6 hours each of one placement for 12 hours. I was wondering which one is better. I am a student so what works the best to minimize tiredness and gets the most work done. I would appreciate your opinions about what is best. Thank you.

[mrsboots87]

You will have a better earning opportunity with the longer shift. Sure, you will be more tired at the end of the day, but it will be just one shift instead of 2. If you think about it, you have to do pre conference, then take report on your patient(s), then plan your day, then go out on the floor. Then before you leave, you get post conference. This all eats into your clinical experience. By having one shift, you only lose the little bit off each end of the shift and have more time to practice skills and learn how to think like a nurse. GL in whatever you choose. ALso, if you have 2 six hours shifts, does this mean you also have to do patient prep and a careplan for each shift, instead of just the one? Also something to think about.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Do the 12's! 6 hour shifts are unrealistic. When you graduate and get a job, it will probably have 12 hour shifts. You might as well start getting used to it now.

[CardiacKittyRN]

I would do the 12hr shift. Might as well get used to it now, since that's probably what you'll be working anyway. We did some 8hr days early in RN school and I felt like we missed a lot.. Pre conference always cut into report and post conference started before afternoon meds and the less busy time on the unit when things like wound care, PT, int changes, and pt personal care took place. I didn't like missing those things.

[RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN]

Do the 12s!!

[rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Do the 12's and just get it done..... Something similar happened in my third semester and I chose to do extra time/extra clinicals early and for the last month I had no clinicals at all!! Made studying for finals much less stressful.

[christina731]

I would definitely do 12's if I could. In semesters 1-3 we did 6-7 hours shifts. Now in 4th semester we do 10-12 hour shifts. I felt like we were always missing out with the short shifts and think about it this way, longer shifts = less days getting up way too early! Everyone has the same amount of hours right? I would pick less days.

[May110]

Thank you for all your responses. My placement I was given was to 6 hour days, but my mentor changed the time into a 12 hour day which is great. In case I get again put into 2 6 hour days I will make sure to switch. Thanks :)