Published
I have worked 5 12 hour shifts back to back, and by the end I was mentally fried, overtired, irritable, and barely safe to practice. Perhaps working shorter shifts or in a lower acuity would allow me to work more, but I now don't do more than 4 shifts in a row for my personal mental health, and consider it unsafe for me to do 5. Again, that's different for everyone. It's important to know your limits not only for yourself, but for your co-workers and patients who have to deal with it if you're irritable, overtired, and not thinking clearly.
non-nursing, I worked with horses. there were no days off unless owners would come feed them on holidays. Nursing, 5 in row and that was way too much. I struggle with 3 in a row. I work Sat/Sun/Wed now with the occasional OT shift in there.
I know there are nurses that work 2 FT jobs and to me that is dangerous.
He He He - - I've been waiting for this thread for a looong time.
Two years & 6 months without a day off. During this period of time, I was going to BSN school full time & working compressed shifts (16 hours on Sat & Sun) on my non-school days. I ended up working all the holidays in exchange for my boss' support to maintain my weekend schedule. At the time, I had 2 kids under age 6 - and a very supportive hubs.
We do what we have to do - in order to accomplish our goals and objectives.
purplegal
432 Posts
Recently, I just got done working 38 days in a row, between my two jobs. I was just curious...how long have you gone without any days off?