5 twelve hour shifts in a row?? Is it safe??

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Seriously folks,

I was put down to work today. I worked a 12 yesterday and will work a 12 saturday, sunday, and monday. If I had worked a 12 today that would make 5 12's in a row. Not to mention overtime. On my schedule I was off but on our hardcopy at the nurse's station I was down to work. The charge nurse called me a 0630 wondering where i was. Any input would be appreciated please and thanks.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The safety of it depends on your ability to rest. I am never able to sleep more than 3-4 hours after my night shifts. For me it would not be safe. But for some of the night nurse rockstars it would be no big deal at all.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I personally do not think it is safe. The most I have ever done in a row is 4 and by the 4th night, I am absolutely exhausted. Everyone is different, though.

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Specializes in Urology, LTC, acute care, Primary Care.

I definitely think it is not safe. I had to do a evidence based paper in school, and this is the subject that I chose, 12 hr shifts in healthcare. In my research i found that hospitals, and insurance companies know they're not safe, but its so convenient for the staff, and the company that they keep them. I found out that a majority of med-errors, including pt deaths were the result of over-worked nurses, on there THIRD long shift. It's easy to say just get rest, but if you have a family, or other obligations, it may be hard for you to get the proper amount of rest. U have to add your time to get to work, get home, settle down before falling asleep, and any thing else you may have to do. This takes away from.valuable sleeping time

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

I've done seven 12s in a row. It's going to vary based upon individual disposition and characteristics. You have to be able to do two things: be meticulous about doubling checking yourself to catch errors and get enough sleep each night. It's not optimal, that's for sure.

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Bortaz, I do understand and feel that working 6 12's in a row is not safe practice. Did that about 2 years ago when a new LPN left our ER to find employment elsewhere. Nothing mandatory here. I offered to "pick up the slack". First 4 days went well but as far as the last two, I found myself becoming short tempered and irritable to anything happening around me. Barking at my co-workers and biting my tongue when dealing with my pt's, I realize now that it is not safe practice. Just doing what I could to fill the holes in the schedule. Much respected RN told me " Toney, you have the next 2 days off ... if you answer your phone ... I will kick your @zz.

Never again, as without a reprieve, we are opening the door to sub-standard pt care.

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I work nights to be able to be home with kids, 3&5, during the day. I get NO sleep. Maybe an hour nap if I'm lucky. I'm on night 3 of 5 this week and exhausted.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Lol I am doing my seventh in a row tonight. I'm bagged but it's doable.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Pediatrics.

I've worked 7 nights (12s) before and the most day 12s I worked was 6. I don't have a kids or a life so it works for me.

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I have done 6 twelves in a row. Is it safe? Perhaps, but what I found is by the end of the week I was getting very irritable. It's not something I wouldn't recommend unless you really need the extra money.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Trach Care, Diabetes.

I think it depends on the individual. I can do fine for several days on 4 hours of sleep. My husband can not. He has a desk job I couldn't do it at a desk job either. I am scheduled from 6:30pm to 7:00am and I have an hour drive each way. I need that wind down time when i come home and many days I get less than 3 hours of sleep. I feel safe if I did not I would speak to my charge nurse. My days off I sleep a ton so I essentially have no quality of life :(

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

It's not safe for me. Some people it's fine for. Just not me. :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.

I find that working multiple shifts in a row works for me because I work nights in a facility two hours from my house. If I work multiple shifts in a row, I can stay on a night schedule. I also stay closer to the facility between back to back shifts.

As I work in psych, when I work shifts in a row, my job is easier because I know most of the patients after the first night. In psych, once you know the patient half the battle is won.

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