The "woes" of 12 hr. Shifts

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2009

What about sixteen hour shifts? I don't mean staying over once in awhile but being scheduled like that.

The 16-hour shifts work out fairly well for me, because they enable me to have 5 days off in a row while earning a full time income for working only 2 days per week. I work two 16-hour shifts every Saturday and Sunday, then have Monday through Friday off.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2009

I have to say.....12s are fine...but sometimes when your shift is rough you start getting pressed....

I work a 2nd job...12s there as welll.....I've worked now about 9 out of 10 nights....went home 6 hrs early R and Sunday....

We all have been losing hours every week...you're lucky if you don't get low census each week you work....so last year, when times were good, I lucked out and got a 2nd job that 2 other people I work with work at. I took the inititive to do it....and now I get the "oh, you've got a 2nd job, you should go" mindset every so often....but I have bills to pay too...and I don't think I should be penalized for having that drive...so it is what it is.....it's rough..I went home early tonight because I'm drained, and I knew I wouldn't get low census tomorrow...I'm going to bed after my an.com fix!

12s aren't so bad...8's would be worse trying to jam in everything I have to do plus the stuff they add on.....

Scrubby · Oct 19, 2009

I see the generation behind mine lazy and lackadaisical. No drive, no motivation to excel. TV shows that like to show those luxury lifestyles are poison to society. Everyone wants the American Dream but doesn't want to do the leg-work to get there anymore.
Things as credit card debt, bankruptcy, foreclosures are at an all-time high no because of government but individual irresponsibility.
Living on a budget... beneath your means, not BEYOND it is more prudent. It's about saving and investing not spending.
A 12-hr shift is nothing. NOTHING. People are working 12's everywhere and it's been that way long before you or me. You want the government to legislate your shift for you??? Laughable!
People that are self-employed work routinely 16hrs/day sometimes 7 days a week. You have to do what you have to to make it. It's called WORK for a reason. Your whining is offensive to those of us that put up and do what's necessary every day.
:oornt:

I think your post is very rude and sort of sterotypical of the 'back in my day' attitude. Not all people are capable or even want to work a 12 hour shift. Some people are single parents with children, have health issues etc or god forbid have a life outside of work. Personally I think the people who simply 'put up and do what's necessary every day' tend make the situation worse and give politicians and hospital administrators the excuse to chronically underfund and understaff health care.

bluegreysea · Oct 19, 2009

EmergencyNrse, why are you so insultive and angrey?

tewdles, RN · Oct 19, 2009

Emergencynrse made some valid points...just made them in sort of an "emergency nurse" way...bluntly with little compassion. Of course, it was pretty stereotyping of me to say that...but, hey...after 30 years I certainly have seen that particular personality types are better suited to particular specialties.

PalmoRN · Oct 21, 2009

Kudos everyone!

I am ALSO responding to the letter from that Emergency nurse...

Wow! Your posting was needlessly adversarial...

All I can say is that your co-workers must "love" working with you... :eek:

*ac* · Oct 21, 2009

I hate the mind-set of the work-horse/doormats that send the message to the hospital to "bring it on". There's a limit to what most human beings can do. These individual limits, whether hours, pt load, whatever, should be respected, but in a climate of, "you're lucky to have a job," we have little control over our working environments. It's not that easy to vote with your feet.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Oct 21, 2009

It completely depends on the UNIT and the nursing job!

My last job in PICU was working 12's and I really didn't mind that but I NEVER felt like I had 4 days a week off. First of all, my days off were never ever scheduled in a row, it SUCKED. Sometimes I would even end up working 4-5 days (12's) in a row. I saw my family way less than I do now working 8's. BUT I have a laid back job that I love right now.

I like 8's (but would also do 12s again depending on the job) because I have *every single evening* off with my family. With 12's I would go entire DAYS of not seeing my kids.

So they both have their pro's and con's. I can be happy with each depending on the job and how stressful it is.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 21, 2009

12 turns into 13, 14 and more.

I made this argument in support of 12 hr shifts once in a discussion of whether to take a job with a longer commute but with 12hr shifts. There is no guarantee with 8 hr shifts that you work only 8hrs, it can (and has for me) easily run 9-10hrs, but you risk doing that 5 times a week.

Most of the arguments for or against 8 or 12hr shifts come down to personal preference, and being that. . . I need fewer aspects of my life regulated by the government, not more.

I have passed on great jobs before because they only had 8hr shifts. I'm sure there are nurses out there that pass on 12hr shifts. I'm sorry some people don't have the choice.

I will never willingly go back to 8hr shifts.

thegreenmile · Oct 22, 2009

Scrubby & bluegraysea: Thanks for your comments. It takes all kinds! I guess there's a need in the ER to employ those mule/work horse, "SHARK" personalities.

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

I like 12 hour shifts because you are free your 4 days off. The time working goes by quickly and you don't have to get caught up in the politics and personalities and cliques that one faces on the 5 day a week grind. I can go a month or more between running into co-workers, definitely a plus when one considers problem personalities. Also 12 hours gives you more time to get the work done. I would feel in prison if I had to go back to 5 day a week 8 hour days.

kat7ap · Oct 22, 2009

I'm one of the nurses that prefers a longer shift over an 8 hour shift. I've only done my 12 or 13 hour shifts on the night shift. I've gotten used to a long shift by now. Some nights fly by while others seem to never end. Some of the 8 hour shifts I've worked were impossible to get everything done so I was routinely staying 1-2 hours late and I hated coming in 4-5 days a week. It seems like the 12 hour shift is more economical because I spend less time and money commuting to work and I am able to work extra if I want to because I have more days off. However, I don't have children yet, so I can work a crazy schedule without it effecting someone else.

A hospital in my area starting a new scheduling program in one of their units. The nurses work 7 10hr shifts in a row and then have 7 days off in a row. The hours are scheduled so that there is an overlap of a couple hours between the 2 shifts so that the off-going nurse has a chance to finish paperwork and charting while the oncoming nurse cares for the pts. I thought this was interesting but I don't think I would like the idea of working 7 days in a row all the time. They state it's for continuity of care which I think pts usually do appreciate.