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.

I just can't do it. I work 13-13.5 hour shifts with an hour commute each way and get about 5ish hours of sleep. 4 is my limit.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

I've worked doubles and followed up with a week of eights. I've worked several 12's back to back. If you're sleeping and eating well, it's not a big deal.

Get off. Go workout for 30 minutes. (pop some benadryl/cough syrup/melatonin)Get something to eat. Go home and go to sleep. Sleep all day or night. Wake up. Report to work. Wash/rinse/repeat.

Easy to do if you're childless. Easier if your partner is supportive, doing the housework/cooking and buying dinner.

You can't pull shift like this if you're trying to have a life, either.

I do tend to get a weird 'cabin fever'-like sensation but that's nothing to do with physical tiredness.

I just don't want to be at work, anymore. (laugh) I get like that working regular 8's in succession, too. It's that whole 'I-could've-been-in-bed-eating-Ihop-and-watching-'Charmed'-right-now-I-dont-know-why-the-hell-I-said-I'd-work-all-these-shifts-Now-I-actually-have-to-do-them-Must've-been-outta-my-mind-but-oh-well-at-least*****-***** and******are-working-today-and-tomorrow-Check's-gonna-look-good-next-week>>>looks at clock

Actually, I don't even have to keep time. There's always a cna or nurse (or med aide) on the floor giving updates on the Go Home Countdown like a town crier. (laugh) One of my nurse coworkers usually starts as soon as she finishes counting narcs. "Hey, chick." She'll thumb through the 24 hour report, smirk, sigh, catch my eye. "Well...8 more hours to go...."

She's hilarious.

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