What is it like working 3/ 12 hr. shifts?

[kgard7777]

I am new to idea of Nursing but I wanted to know what is it like working 3 days 12 hr shifts? It seems like a really flexible schedule to have. Would you all say the same?

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I work three 12's on nights and generally like it. I'm also on a weekend program, so I'm happiest working Fridays as well. Third in a row can be tiring, but working a Wed means I sleep most of the day Thurs as well as my usual Mon.

I do find that about all I have time for when I'm working is work and sleep. Also, that day off Monday is kinda wasted. Sometimes I try to get up by 2pm so that I can sleep reasonable hours Mon night (actually Tues morning and live on dayshift the rest of the week. Then I stay up as late as I can Thur night and sleep in on Fri.

I will say I was sick more than usual my first year, but I think a lot of that was the stress of being a new nurse. I've talked to day shifters who went through similar problems.

[SarasotaRN2b]

I like working the 3 12s in a row, but usually my first day off is a goner...I'm so wiped out that I spend most of the first day and night sleeping. I wouldn't mind working 5 8's...12 hours is a long time. I only plan on working 12's through nursing school and then two years after...then I hope to get a school nursing job where I can work days...as I am hoping to adopt and with having school age children, it would work so much better.

Kris

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I worked 3 12's nights this summer on my externship and loved it. Plenty of time off and no problem getting enough sleep.

Now here's the interesting part - in my prior career in the corporate jungle, I was paid for a 40 hour week, yet the nature of the positions I had in my last 5 years required that I be available 24/7/365 (except vacations). Never knew when the phone would ring (and it would) and had to check email at least 2x a day weekends and holidays. And that got old. So, will I trade for a 72 hour pay period? You bet! Plus once I get a couple of years under my belt I can start doing per diem to pick up some extra cash.

[a21chdchic]

12 hour shifts can be tough, especially when you work them back to back. But I love having 4 days a week off. It leaves me time to work on other ventures. :wink2: