3 12's - in a row or break them up?

[bisacat]

Which do you prefer? I like the 3 in a row so that I can have 4 days off but sometimes I think I should break it up since 3 in a row is exhausting.

[cherokeesummer]

I like to do two in a row, then one or two off and then the other one on.

[texas2007, BSN, RN]

Do you plan to get some OT in? I am trying to save up for a house downpayment so I'm trying to get in as much as I can without blowing myself out....I like 2 on, 1 off, 2 on, 2 off best but even with that I am getting tired. Also if my schedule works out sometimes I'll do 3 one week (usually 3 in a row) and then 5 the next (2 together, 2 off and then 3 together). Works out to a bigger paycheck than 4 each week because that 5th shift is straight OT since you've already gone over 40 hrs.

[Spatialized]

I do my 3 12's in a row. Have pretty much since I started and it works for me. Once did Mon., Weds., Fri., 12 hour nights, but that was in another life. Looking back, 3 in a row doesn't seem so bad. Sure, I'm tired and worn out by the end, but the week's done.

My current schedule though, rocks. 3 on, 2 off, 3 on, 6 off; rinse, lather, repeat. Used to do 3 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 3 on, 8 off, but I was incoherent by the time I hit day 3 of week 3. Not a pretty picture.

Cheers,

Tom

[mommybess, BSN, RN]

3 in a row works best for me. I like to get it done and I like that I usually have most of the same patients (not always though). I do not like them broken up becuase I feel like I don't get enogh personal and family time. But when I am working the 3 in a row there is very little I do other than, work, sleep, and eat.

[night_owl_504]

2 on 2 off 2 on for me. (night shift)

[Suninmyheart]

Definitely 3-4 in a row for me. I like having pts for several days in a row. But by the 4th day I tend to get overstimulated with all the beeps and alarms of the hospital environment and am sooo ready for a long quiet sleep.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I try to do three in a row so I can live a normal life on my days off (I'm on nights). Sometimes I do 2 then 1 or something to break them up because a bunch of 3s can wear me down.

[Conrad283, BSN, RN]

My preceptor likes to do 3 in a row, and it's not so bad. Just a little tired sometimes is all.

[RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN]

it takes most of my days off to recover from 3 in a row. this week, i'm going to try and break them up to see if it helps. i've been worn out from last week. the 4 days off is so nice, but I didn't start feeling normal until the last day. maybe i'm just too old for floor nursing, mid 40s, and my body is telling me so.

[luv4nursing]

This is my first job in the hospital setting, and I cannot manage to do 3 12's on a regular basis. Part of it is me being tired because I'm pregnant, but I'm not sure I would feel much different otherwise. By the second day I'm miserable knowing I still have to come back the next day.

I like to work 2 on, 2 or 3 off, one more on then another couple of days off. If I have a trip planned or something Ill do 3 in a row. When I worked private duty it was no problem...I could even do 4 or 5 in a row without blinking, but that's because it isn't nearly as stressful or tiring as floor nursing.