Two 12s and two 8s shifts

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

I don't know what to recommend. Will you actually have a say in the schedule or will they stick you on 12 hrs weekends and holidays when you'd actually like 8. That is one reason I chose 3 12's since I figured I wouldn't have a say in my schedule.

Good Luck to you. I guess once you make out a schedule you'll find out if they'll honor it or not. When people need time off for school or whatever, we would just write out a formal request to have those days off. Maybe you'll have to do that to have the 8 hr shifts on the right days.

On the plus side, you'll make more money and can get your student loans etc paid off sooner!

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

I won't know about my schedule until next week. I'm not concerned about making more money, just having enough energy and time to enjoy my life. Unfortunately, the 2 12s and 2 8s are final. I'd prefer to have 3 12s and be done, but in this situation, I had to take what I could get as a new grad.

danh3190 · Jul 30, 2011

Don't know what to recommend. Many of us also work two 12 and two 8. We don't have much control over our schedules. On our unit we work every other weekend. Never have a consistent day off. We supposedly have "self scheduling" but it doesn't work since the schedule gets changed heavily before it gets posted.

RDH1, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

I currently work this type of schedule and I feel like it is sucking the life out of me, lol. However, I work midnights. Are you working days? I think I would do better on days w/ this type of schedule, but like you, had to take what I could get.

Right now, I schedule myself 3 on, 1 off, 5 on, 5 off, and then repeat for the 2nd half of the schedule. This allows me to work the 2 weekends a month that I'm scheduled (I do the 5 off days on my weekend off). Having those 5 days off allows me to feel human again:) I've found that having randomly scheduled days (for example 2 on, 1 off, 3 on, 2 off, etc etc) left me feeling more worn out because if I only have one day off after working, I sleep the whole day and just wasted my day off. Another thing about this is that I always know what days I'm off(for the most part- sometimes a day or two in there will get changed). This makes it easier to schedule appointments, etc.

I would love to work 3 12's! Those 5 days in a row are rough and leave me very irritable, but it's worth it for the 5 days off.

For the gym, I try to schedule my 8 hr shifts on the days I want to workout/take a class at the gym. Sometimes I get them and sometimes I don't. We "self schedule", but it's done by seniority and unit needs, so I don't always get what I ask for.

Good luck!

Altra, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

Hopefully you will find that the 8 hr. days don't leave you feeling completely tapped out ... so you feel like you still have some part of the day left before or after work ... to run errands, take care of stuff around the house, etc.

Remember ... the rest of the non-nursing world works for 8-ish hours and then comes home, eats dinner, and cuts the grass.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2011

Don't know what to recommend. Many of us also work two 12 and two 8. We don't have much control over our schedules. On our unit we work every other weekend. Never have a consistent day off. We supposedly have "self scheduling" but it doesn't work since the schedule gets changed heavily before it gets posted.

Second this exactly. I find that if I request off shifts that are less ideal I tend to be more likely to get the days off I want and am scheduled on the days I asked to be scheduled, but it's still not consistent enough to make plans in advance around. I don't mind the 2 8s and 2 12s though- after working the 12s the 8s seem to fly by.

danh3190 · Jul 31, 2011

I like the two 12s and two 8s. Besides I couldn't take the 10% cut in pay for three 12s. My favorite shift of all is the 3p - 11:30P shift. The vast majority of meds are passed, most of the people are back from whatever tests or procedures they're getting, most of the discharges are already done.