Regular hours?

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Anyone go from working 3 12 hr shifts to working 9 to 5? If so how do you like it?

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I went from 3 12s of 5p to 5a to 4 10s of 6a-4pm.

Love it. I get less days off but not having to switch all the damn time really makes up for it.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

What are regular hours??? :no: Just had to say that...

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I currently work 8-5 M-F. It's not too bad. My biggest problem is lower pay so I work 2 jobs. The second job is teaching a 8-10 hours a week which doesn't seem like much, but it means two days a week I am gone from home from about 7:30 am- 10:20 pm. I would love 12hr shifts for higher pay & more days off.

That being said everyone and every environment is different. I work outpt. When I did LTC it was 5 days a week and that was exhausting!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Anyone go from working 3 12 hr shifts to working 9 to 5? If so how do you like it?

I did. I loved the work, hated the hours. I couldn't wait to get back to the bedside and my three twelves.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I get annoyed when people compare nursing to other professions in regards to work hours. Nursing is so much different from other jobs. Five days at the bedside requires much more physical, mental and emotional stress than other fields.

Plus a 9 to 5 type job is usually salary. No thanks. I want to be paid for every minute of work I put in and overtime. And I like having four days off per week.

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Specializes in PCCN.

I have a possible opportunity for this,but I am leary to consider it. I work eves during the week ( 3 8 hr shifts) and 2 12s on my weekends, and the new job is 10 minutes further away( I already commute 45 minutes). Im leary because on days like today where we have been socked with 12 inches of snow so far, I would never have gotten out of the driveway that early to be at work by 8 am or so. This way at least I am able to have time to get plowed, or find a ride , or whatever so I can be to work on time.

But staying in my current job is making me physically sick.

Ugh I don't know.:(

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After 12 years on the floor, I now work a 7-4 non-patient care job. I think without the patients working daily is easier. I rarely bring work home, and if I do it's because it's my choice to do so. This body is worn, tattered, and ready to be scattered-so 12 hours are no longer an option. I do have plenty of energy when I get home which is also a great thing.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I get annoyed when people compare nursing to other professions in regards to work hours. Nursing is so much different from other jobs. Five days at the bedside requires much more physical, mental and emotional stress than other fields.
You hit the nail on the head. A five-day work week is tolerable and often preferable in nursing as long as there's limited or zero face time with patients or their families.

However, I couldn't provide patient care five days per week unless I had to accept the job to prevent homelessness. If I'm slinging bedpans and dealing with nutjob family members, I'd rather do it for three shifts per week instead of five.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Do you feel like you are always at work? Do you have more energy when you get home to do things?

Quite the contrary, actually. I feel like I spend less time at work than I did when I was working 3 12s. I do stuff almost every evening. Last night, I went to the movies. Tonight, I am going to play in my weekly rec floor hockey league. Tomorrow, I have an appointment for a massage. Thursday, I am getting dinner with a friend. Never would have been able to do ANY of these things after work when I was working 12s. I never got home until 9pm.

Most of my friends are not nurses. They all work Mon-Fri. I like having every weekend and every evening free. I never thought I wanted a Mon-Fri but now that I have it, I never want to go back to shift work.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

When I worked bedside, my rotation had a stretch of 8 days off. For almost 2.5 years, I've worked 5 x 8 hour days.

I enjoy my job, greatly dislike the hours. I feel as though I live at work sometimes, as 2 days off is not enough. Eventually, I plan to transition to a four day week. That extra day off makes a huge difference.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.
Do you feel like you are always at work? Do you have more energy when you get home to do things?

If you like the work you will be doing, the hours may not make that big of a difference. I have worked 12 hours when I was younger and those 12 hours seem like a month on a rough day. I work 8 hours now and the 8 hours can go by quickly or seem like a month depending on the day and what is happening. I would focus on the work and weather you enjoy it. Good luck.

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I went from a 9-5 M-F office job to a 2nd and 3rd shift nursing job 5 days a week 8 hrs with every other weekend off. I miss having nights and weekends and holidays off. I'm looking to find something weekdays only again but with only 2 years experience I may have a hard time.

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