Should I go to 12 hr shifts?

beekee · Nov 19, 2019

I always advise people to peruse the job postings on indeed.com (or whatever source works for you). If you are looking for a 9-5 clinic job, what are the requirements and preferred qualifications?

Clinics aren’t the only 9-5 jobs. What about jobs with insurance companies? Or teaching? Clinical research? MDS coordinator? Lots of options for normal office hours; I’ve only mentioned a few.

A job in acute care is never going to be a negative in your career and will likely be a positive. It may give you a leg up when the time comes.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Nov 19, 2019

I don't quite understand how working in a clinic equates to no opportunities to learn?

allnurses Guide · Nov 20, 2019

Keep in mind if you work 12 hour shifts you only have to work three shifts a week. That leaves four days a week to focus on your hypothetical children.

If you work in the hospital you are right, you won't be there for every milestone, every holiday, every day after school. You won't if you work at all, frankly.

If you work in a clinic, you will face lower wages, better hours, less room for advancement and fewer opportunities for career development.

There does come a point where you can't have your cake and eat it too, unfortunately. You will have decisions to make, but I would wait to fret too much until you actually are expecting a little one.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 13, 2019

There are definite advantages as well as some disadvantages of working 12's. The biggest advantage of longer hours per day is less days you have to work. This can be beneficial for scheduling family events but it is also pretty much guaranteed that you can't attend any events that fall on the days that you work.

Another disadvantage is 12 hour shifts are rarely actually 12 hours. Unless you are a rare nurse that always gets done on time and you have a very short commute. So don't forget to factor at least your commute time into your work day hours.

There is also the matter of shifts you'd be expected to work. If you decide that you are only interested in a 9-5 day position the hospital isn't an option that you will be happy with as they have to staff around the clock and chances are very high you'd be working at least some afternoons and/or overnights. Same goes for any inpatient setting. For days only you'll be limited to employers like clinics that are only open during the hours you prefer.

In my opinion though you are way overthinking this. If you are truly debating even applying at a hospital job that might only offer 12 hour positions just because you want to start a family keep in mind you haven't started that family yet so you have plenty of time to pursue other options if you find the hours at wherever you are don't work for you. You haven't even applied at the hospital yet so if working there interests you don't hold yourself back just because it might interfere with family time at some undetermined time in the future. Congratulations on your recent marriage by the way.