7 nights in a row!!!!

As a rehab nurse on an acute unit - even 5 in a row gets tough with lifting and cares - 7 would be very hard (physically) for me. On the other hand - that's great for continuity of care, you get to know your patients, can really get some great education done, you know their progress and can really document that... but 7 - that's tough. Good luck!

" that's great for continuity of care "

---good point.

8 hour shifts - perhaps. I still think it's tough. Nights for us are a lot of turns, repos, toileting, bowel programs, folks to get up early and shower, behavior issues w/TBIs mixed up between night/day... feast or famine, they tell me (I'm hoping to switch to nights shortly), though the ones I've worked have been fairly mellow. And - if census is low - will you be floating or will you be the only RN on? That might make a difference too... Then again, I've never worked L&D so really couldn't compare if one is 'easier' for a night shift than the other - but have worked the ortho / neuro floor and know that my unit is a lot different...

In the last rehab facility I worked in, the night nurses carried about twice the patient load of the day shift. I used to leave after my shift feeling literally numb from the exertion - and I worked days and no more than four days at a time. I personally would not be interested in working seven straight days in a specialty as physically demanding as rehab.

I did that when I was younger and LOVED it!!!! It's like having two weeks of vacation every month.

Now that I'm 20 years older I doubt I could do it and live to tell the tale. But if you're young, by all means try it!!1

My friend works in Rehab and she does 3, 12 hour shifts a week. And the vibe I get it that its enough. 3 on 4 off not necessarily back to back