8's vs 12's

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Hi everyone,

I'm in a dilema. I am in a position in which I am a newly licensed RN and I am wanting to change the facility that I am employed due to numerous reasons. Right now I am in a hospital setting working critical care 3, 12hr shifts. I was offered a position at a hospital that I have been trying to get into since I graduated that is on an ortho/surgical floor working 4, 8hr shifts. I was just wondering if anyone has done the 4, 8hr shifts and how they liked them? I have also been offered a job at a 45 patient LTC/rehab facility, working 3, 12's, but I am afraid it will be too much for a new nurse (15 patient load). These will all be for 3rd shift. TIA!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I worked in LTC rehab as my first RN job. I did 3-11, which was the best hours for my body, but I never got to see my family. Now I am at a hospital and do 3-12s. Love it. Wouldn't go back to 8 hours if I don't have to.

however, 4-8 hour shifts would be great. Ortho is even better :) (ortho nurse here!!!). That gives you 3 days off. Not a bad deal.

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That is very reassuring to hear! The LTC facility has the better schedule for me (3, 12's), but I literally get 1 day of orientation with up to 15 patients. I would work 11p-730a at the hospital, so I would still have most of my day off to enjoy with my kids and husband. Thanks for your response!

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Specializes in I/DD.

8- hour nights sounds like a dream. 8-hour days can be tough since there is generally more going on. If you have a busy day there are generally a lot of loose ends for evenings to tie up. When I work 11p-7a it falls into a nice rhythm. Most of the time, of course ;)

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Thanks for the reply! I'm starting to like the idea os 11p-7a more and more! I will have 5-6 patients usually and they are offering a great orientation (10-12wks). Not really the floor I was hoping for, but the hospital I am at now has a really bad reputation and is being sold again, so things are getting worse for the nurses. Right now I am taking 3-4 ICU/CCU patients, so I'm sure after I get my managment skills down 5-6 stable patients won't seem too bad.

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Thanks for the reply! I'm starting to like the idea os 11p-7a more and more! I will have 5-6 patients usually and they are offering a great orientation (10-12wks). Not really the floor I was hoping for, but the hospital I am at now has a really bad reputation and is being sold again, so things are getting worse for the nurses. Right now I am taking 3-4 ICU/CCU patients, so I'm sure after I get my managment skills down 5-6 stable patients won't seem too bad.

I would love that schedule!!

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The only issue I'm having is trying to figure out how to schedule my days off. I will have to work every other weekend and it is throwing me off. I like 3 days off in a row bc the first day off isn't really a day off since I finish up that morning. Not sure how that will work.

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