What is the longest period of time you have gone without any days off?

[purplegal]

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?

[CCU BSN RN]

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.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I have never worked more than six in a row. And that was tough; it took me several days to recover from that physically, not to mention getting my sanity back.

[kiszi, RN]

I worked over 30 days straight in a factory once. :) Mandatory overtime.

As for nursing, I've never done more than 4 twelve-hour shifts in a row. Even that was too much for me. My limit is 3.

I suppose if I didn't have kids I could do more shifts.. but it would still be tough.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

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.

[kakamegamama]

Yours makes my 11 day stretch pale in comparison.....

[Sour Lemon]

...three days- and it killed me. I don't even like doing two in a row.

[BSN16]

I did 9 12 hour shifts in a row once. It was totally by choice though

[NYbabyRN, BSN, RN]

14 days in a row - I can't imagine working 38! Now I usually never work more than 3 days in a row.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I did four or five in a row during orientation. My preceptor liked to clump all her shifts together and use the time off to visit her out of state boyfriend.

Once I was off orientation and making my own schedule, I never did more than 2 days back-to-back.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

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.

[JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN]

I've worked 5 12 hour overnight shifts and it was horrific. I was so unpleasant to be around. I would never do it again. Now I routinely work 5 8 hour days M-F with a 12 hour shift on Saturdays but that's manageable and by choice.