What do you think of 12 hour shifts?

[Joe V]

12-hour shifts have been gaining in popularity among nurses and hospitals ... Do you think this is a good idea? Do you find it more dangerous to work a 12-hour shift vs a 10-hour shift? Would you prefer sticking to the standard 8-hour shifts?

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[DogWmn]

I graduated when dinosaurs walked the earth in '72 and worked 8's, I did try a few 12's, but now at my age forget it. We recently lost a nurse who fell asleep on the way home. I really do not think they are safe.

[benr98]

Did any of you have 3 12-hour shifts in a row for school? Maybe 4? At my school, we will have 12s W, R, F, and/or S. Just curious. I know I'll get that experience before applying for a position in the future! At least I'll know if I want the 12 or not.

I had a few 12 hour shifts in my senior practicum and I was working 2 12's as a CNA/PCP/NI-1 I had weeks I could not remember where I was supposed to be. I had to write down my schedule and check it every morning to see what set of scrubs I had to put on.

[Ziggy2]

If I do not get a good night's sleep, the 12 hours can creep by. But on those 4 days off, I fall in love with the 12 hour shift scheduling.

[Hafisch12]

I love 12 hour shifts! We went to 8 hour shifts and working 5 days a week a year ago and I feel burnt out going in 5 days in a row and only having 2 days in between to reboot. I would rather work 12s plus it is easier to hold a part time job if you work 12s.

[NurseNeLz]

I used to like them in my 20s. Now Im 32 and the 12 hour shifts just kill me. You end up recovering on your days off and have to prepare yourself for the next one the day before!

[Amag]

I love my 12 hour shifts. I often will do 4-5 in a row to have 6-8 days off afterwards and not need to use any vacation time. 12's definitely take getting used to but I wouldn't want to go back to 5 8 hour days a week!

[YoutubeTheNP]

I prefer 12s. More time home with the fam on my off days. I also do 24 HR shifts as an NP, sometimes. They literally pay me to sleep!

[A.Robins]

It depends on the job. I hated my first hospital after qualifying, so I was glad to do mostly 8 hour shifts with 12 hour nights or the occasional 12 hour day surgery shift because it meant my time there was in manageable chunks. I also liked the crossover between early and late shift because it meant for around an hour and a half there were almost two shifts worth of nurses around and you weren't rushing nurse to nurse handover.

12 hour shifts at my current job give me better chances of having my weekends to myself, make it easier to book off what I need, and work better for arranging deliveries and repairs, etc though. If I lived further than my current 10 minutes to work I might be less enthused.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

There is noway I will ever go back to doing an 8 hour job...leaving the house 5 days a week and just 2 days home? I love 12 hrs shifts and 4 days home.

[db2xs]

Even though they're long and I'm exhausted at the end of the day, I would much rather work three days a week vs. five days a week. That to me is a no-brainer. I am also one of those weirdos that prefer to work three in a row--get it over with, I say!

[pitca]

12 hour shifts where I have worked usually turn into 13 hour shifts. My patients often question the 12 hour shift. They think it is too long as I do. This is particularly true on med surg units where you are on your feet constantly. I have worked for 13 hours without much of a break. It might be great for young nurses, but for those over 50, there should be 8 hour shifts offered. Yes, the 12 hour shift does provide continuity of care, however if you are sleep deprived, that is no longer a factor.

[bagladyrn, RN]

I won't do anything but 12's. I couldn't face the thought of going in to work 5 days a week. As a traveler I want those "extra" days off to see new places.

And yes, I'm well over 60 and can still manage them.