switched from day to mid shift?

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

What is the logic behind the 10-10 shift? Wouldnt that make the 7a-10a slot short?

We do 7-7. The only way we would work another combo of hours is if we switched ourselves. for example sharing a shift--many will share and one will do 7a-1p and someone else comes in 1p-7p

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

I have some seniority in my dept...I've been there 5 years. Others in the dept have been there longer but I am number 4 on the seniority list. (of day shifters) Due to budget cuts and pt numbers we recently changed shift times. I am now required to work either 6-6, 7-5, 9-9 or 10-10.
I'm ok with the 9-9. But seriously? 10-10? That (to me) is a midshift...
What has your dept done to help with staffing during the busy times? Are you required to work mid shift or alternating night shifts? 10-10 is exceptionally hard on my family. We have to be up by 5am for school and child care becomes problematic sometimes too.
I signed on as a 12 hour DAYshift...I'm happy to have a job and I'm mighty sure I will just have to suck it up...But, I feel like our director is semi reasonable and may listen if I can come up with a plan that might work. My thinking is that the last 2 people hired on day shift move to a more mid-shift position...Is that fair or reasonable?

The shifts should first be opened for volunteers, then your plan sounds very reasonable. The skill mix does need to be a consideration...you do need to have some experience/expertise on the off-shifts.

Approach your director with your problem-solving ideas. He/she is more likely to listen if you're offering solutions to this change rather than complaints & resistance.

Good luck & let us know what happens! :up:

Altra, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

What is the logic behind the 10-10 shift? Wouldnt that make the 7a-10a slot short?

10 - 10 is a common ER shift. ERs are usually minimally staffed from somewhere around 3a - 11a, then staggered additional staff build to a maximum from 3p - 11p.

OP, what are your hospital's HR policies? Per policy, is there such a thing as "day shift only"? Check that first.

If you do 3 12s ... you work 12 days per 4-week schedule. Is every other weekend required? If so, then there are 4 of those 12 days in which school for kids is not a factor. Could you all divide up the remainder, so that you're each working say 2 days a month of 10 - 10?

Larry77, RN · Dec 17, 2008

I work at a union hospital so we cannot have our shifts changed without applying to a different "posted" positionj. It has happened when they have discontinued a certain shift but that is the only scenario I have seen. We recently changed our mid-shifts to 3 at 1100-2300 and 2 at 1500-0300 all the rest on 7's.

We used to have all of our staff on "variable shifts" as a job listing so they could move us around without contract problems but they have recently changed that as well. If you are a mid-shifter you are assigned to a certain shift. Me, I'll stick with days :)

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 17, 2008

We're non-union. We're asked what our preference is for a shift and our manager does her best to get you the slot you want. Options are 7a-7p, 7a-3p, 11a-11p, 3p-11p, 3p-3a & 7p-7a. Don't know of anyone who's on a shift they don't like.

Anyway, our staffing provides for a 3:1 ratio from 3p-11p (but those ole hallways can and do creep in). We also usually have a float who just moves throughout the unit helping out.