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

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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?

Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

On a few occasions I've worked 7 twelves in a row, but inevitably I wind up with a nasty URI after that, so I no longer do more than 5 in a row. And I do my level best not to do that!

I've never been a good sleeper and I have a lot of trouble falling asleep early enough to get a full night on days when I have to wake up at 0500, and my mind and body are both a mess after more than a few shifts back to back. I need a chance to sleep in now and then or my reaction time, emotional state, and immune system wind up suffering.

Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

Three 12-hour shifts in a row, four 10-hour shifts in a row, or five 8-hour shifts in a row works well for me unless I have to drive an hour in the winter to get to work. In that case, I would go one day less for each. It all boils down to how much sleep I can get.

For example, if my 12-hour shift is an hour away, it becomes almost a 15-hour shift when I include time to clean off the car and to drive safely in the snow & ice.

The most I've done is 4 12-hour shifts in a row, an hour away, not by choice!

5 days 8-hour shift at a SNF caring for 160 residents. Half acute, half long-term. I call it, the ultimate MedSurg floor :)

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

14, with 7-8 being 16 hr shifts. I was a CNA at the time. I have long since learned to say no, and say it often.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

12 days in a row, and at the same job. They're not supposed to let employees work more than 6 days in a row, but they missed that on me. It was probably because my hours were switching up so much during those 12 days, that they probably looked at it and thought there was a day off, when in actuality there wasn't.

Otherwise, I'm not that crazy. I see no point in working an endless marathon of shifts.

Specializes in retired LTC.
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.

I thought I was the WINNER until I read this.

I worked just over a year without any days off. It was 2 part time jobs.

I taught part time M/F (8 to 1) in a small business school. And I worked EVERY weekend as nsg supervisor. When school was off for a holiday, I worked as nsg sup whatever shift was needed. Sometimes there was a lag between 'semesters' at the business school, so I covered for any nsg sup needing vaca. Some days, I wore my whites to teach and then I'd be going to be nsg sup.

It was such a drag not to be able to sleep late even ONE day or to be sick. I needed the 'time'.

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