Three 12's vs. 7 on/off

[ADNgrad2006]

Hello all!

I have a question...I am currently a new RN job searching. I have been offered 2 positions in the NICU at two different hospitals. One hospital offers 3- 12 hr. shifts. The other hospital offers 7 on/0ff..work 56, get paid for 72. What's the catch here? What are the pros/cons of each shift? One is a university hospital, the other is a Children's hospital. Both have excellent reputations. Being that I have never worked 3-12's or 7- 8 hr shifts makes this a tough decision. Help please!!

Lauren, R.N.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

May I ask your age? I'd never survive 7 on and would have to sleep at least 2 days to recover from that.

I have known people who did it though. Three 12s was about all I could ever handle.

[ADNgrad2006]

29

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

May I ask your age? I'd never survive 7 on and would have to sleep at least 2 days to recover from that.

I have known people who did it though. Three 12s was about all I could ever handle.

I don't think the OP was talking about doing 7 12's on - it looked like she was talking about 7 8's (56 hours) and getting paid for 72 hours - with 7 days off.

I can't really imagine a hospital offering that, but if that is the deal, I would jump on that in a heartbeat.

[HisTreasure, BSN, RN]

I don't think the OP was talking about doing 7 12's on - it looked like she was talking about 7 8's (56 hours) and getting paid for 72 hours - with 7 days off.

I can't really imagine a hospital offering that, but if that is the deal, I would jump on that in a heartbeat.

Actually, that is ingenius on the facility's part. If she works 56, that is 16 hours overtime, usually billed at 1.5X. It is roughly the equivelent of getting paid for 72 hours, and the employee actually comes out ahead by a few dollars. The catch usually is a very stiff penalty for calling off one of your shifts, such as immediate suspension or termination.:monkeydance: A LTC here does this type of shift. Don't know too many takers, though....

Ex. using $19 as a base pay

$19x1.5=28.5

19x40=760+456 (16*28.5)=$1216

or 72x19=$1368

[catlady, BSN, RN]

If she actually gets out after her eight-hour shift, it's probably a good deal. If it's like the typical job where eight hours turn into ten or eleven, not so much.

[mtngrl, ASN, RN]

I think you would get tired of working 7 days straight. And then after being off 7 days, you might feel sorta disorganized when you get back.

[muffie, RN]

if I worked 7x8 hr shifts I would be in prison bc some pt or rn would be dead!

[muffie, RN]

if I worked 7x8 hr shifts I would be in prison bc some pt or rn would be dead! oops posted twice

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Actually, that is ingenius on the facility's part. If she works 56, that is 16 hours overtime, usually billed at 1.5X. It is roughly the equivelent of getting paid for 72 hours, and the employee actually comes out ahead by a few dollars. The catch usually is a very stiff penalty for calling off one of your shifts, such as immediate suspension or termination.:monkeydance: A LTC here does this type of shift. Don't know too many takers, though....

Ex. using $19 as a base pay

$19x1.5=28.5

19x40=760+456 (16*28.5)=$1216

or 72x19=$1368

I believe the OP was referring to working 7 on/7 off in a 14-day (2-week) pay period - working a total of 56 hours but getting paid for 72 just as if it were a 3 12s per week position. So there's no OT involved.

[geniann]

I work 3 12's per week and I love having my days off! And I only have to work 6 days per 14- so however I want to do it is up to me- pretty much. I can work 6 and then be off for 8! I think you will enjoy the 12's- Good luck and congrats on the degree!!

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

I've worked 12s for awhile now and I love it. 3 12 hour shifts/ week...off for 4 days a week (actually, working nights I have every "day" off anyway)....

12s are great. Good luck to you in your decision.