8s vs 12s and the evening shift

[PCnurse88]

I just wanted some opinions on this. I just finished my 2nd month at my first job and will be getting off orientation in 2-3 weeks. My floor does 8-hour shifts, so I work four 8 hours shifts and am on evenings, so 3p-11:30pm. (Days being 7a-3:30p, nights being 11p-7:30a). In the past year, several other floors have begun doing both 8s and 12s, and some have switched entirely to 12s (7a-7p for the most part). My floor is planning on a trial period for our July-August schedule, since the June-July is due out next week, and is asking for volunteers for the trial period.

I don't WANT to work 7p-7a for a multitude of reasons (just got my sleep schedule solidified for evenings, I volunteer in the mornings, it would mean traveling through a big city at rush hour to get there for the start of shift) but I respect the fact that I would obviously not be granted my ideal shift as I'm a baby nurse and there are people with way more seniority. However as I said, it's a trial period and totally voluntary. The pros are that I would only work 3 days a week instead, so it's less driving (work is an hour away from where I live) and more days off. They're also longer shifts- 8 hour shifts are so rushed, I feel like I don't have enough time for anything!

Any advice? Thoughts on night shifts? Thoughts on 8s vs 12s?

[Wrench Party]

12s all the way! I couldn't function mentally after doing 5 8s on a floor and try to get everything done that I need. That, and I like having weekdays off to get errands done.

[yoga pants]

I would rather work a 12 than an 8 any day! That 4 extra hours goes a long way - you have a lot more time to get stuff done. I'm not sure where you're from, but I have to drive through a big city to get to work and I rarely have any traffic problems when working 7a-7p or even 7p-7a. I seem to miss rush hour (or at least the bulk of it) since I have to be at work by 0630 and I leave closer to 2000.