track schedule?

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HI,

I had an interview on Friday for an ICU position. I am graduating in May. Anyway, they were telling me they are on a track schedule. It's 12 hour shifts and you do them 3 days in a row at a time. You alternate between 7a-7p and 7p-7a. I think they said you end up only working four night shifts a month or something. You also end up getting 7 days off in a row every month.

Does anyone work this? Can you explain it better? I think I remember them saying the above but could be wrong.

Also, she said that I could do this or work straight night turn. And if I did not want my three 12's in a row I could split them up more.

I have two small children at home. What schedule do you think would work/what works for those with kids?

Thank you for your help. Have a wonderful day!

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Weekend plans are very popular with parents of small children. You work every weekend with only limited weekends off though. It helps to have a spouse, willing to more than "babysit".There are a couple of single parents who work out childcare with family members, and save on paying for childcare.

I am not familiar with a track schedule. I am familiar with rotating schedules. If there are enough nurses working straight nights, you won't have to do them much.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

Call the manager and clarify the hours of rotating. Next interview bring pad and paper. Rotating is the worst on your health and there are many studies to prove this. In exchange... you'd normally be placed on nights, and that might not sinc with your circadiam rhythm,so an alternate rotation is the least of the worst of the options. If you must work nights more than one week in 6... consider staying straight nights. It is really easier to adjust to one shift flip flapping back and forth then two of them at odds with each other.

Having kids with this is very individual and varies on your sleep wake cycle and that of your kids... sometimes nights works great, sometimes it's the enemy.

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Thanks. I will need to clarify the scheduling if indeed I am offered a position. I wonder if a less popular floor like Med/Surg (nothing against it BTW) would offer better scheduling......

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Thanks. I will need to clarify the scheduling if indeed I am offered a position. I wonder if a less popular floor like Med/Surg (nothing against it BTW) would offer better scheduling......

3 12 hour shifts in a row is tough.

Most RNs I know (young and older) work 2 in a row - by the 3rd 12 hour shift you are beat and have a hard time getting through the shift efficiently....

I would not want that type of shift - rotating days and nights could be hell on your body and your family.

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3 12 hour shifts in a row is tough.

Most RNs I know (young and older) work 2 in a row - by the 3rd 12 hour shift you are beat and have a hard time getting through the shift efficiently....

I would not want that type of shift - rotating days and nights could be hell on your body and your family.

I thought so too. The med/surg position I applied for is 2-12's and 2-8's per week so hopefully that will break it up more. thanks

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