What is the typical hospital schedule?

[ssalulu]

When working 12 hour shifts, what does your schedule usually look like? Do you work 3 12s in a row? How many days off between? 2, 3, 4?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

There is no "typical" schedule. It depends on a lot of things. What are you weekend obligations? Are you days, nights or rotating?

When I worked in the hospital, I hated doing 3 days in a row but preferred 3 in a row on nights. Weekend obligations were every 3rd, day weekends were Sat/Sun and night weekends were Fri, Sat, Sun. So if it was my night weekend, I only had to work one other shift during the week and I usually preferred it to be Wednesday. Scheduling was hit or miss... we "self-scheduled" but all that meant was that we filled out our schedules, management considered it a "wish list" and then changed it how they saw fit.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I have been a nurse for 35 years. With the exception of the time I spent on a weekend-only program, I have not had the same days off in any two consecutive weeks.

[loriangel14, RN]

There is no "typical" schedule.Usually people on 12s don't work 3 in a row but the number of shifts off will vary from place to place. The people that work 12s where I work don't work the same days every week.Some places work 8s instead of 12s.

[anon456, BSN, RN]

In my hospital nurses work 7-7 shifts for the most part, with a requirement to work every third weekend. There is one unit where they work 8 hour shifts if requested and approved.

I just went to 2 days a week because I felt like the 12 hour shifts are too hard on my body and mind. I know there are advantages to the 12 hour system but I also feel it's a lot harder on the nurses and the stress level is very high.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

The whole "12-hour shifts are all we offer" business is a BIG part of the reason why so many older nurses have left the bedside.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I work at a hospital that has a mix of 8 hours and 12 hour shifts on most floors. Nice for the ones who don't mind doing 8 hours and those who don't want to work 5 days a week. I know I couldn't do midnights 5 days a week. I like my 12 hour shifts. In the rapid response department as long as we work our 36 hours we are good. We try for every other weekend, but as long as we have 2 weekends a month we are good.

[snuggles49]

At my hospital all floor nurses are 12 shifts .....everyone differs some like to work all 3 days in a row . some don't...our staff can not be scheduled more than 2 weekends out of a 4 week schedule ...sometimes they only have to work one weekend depends on request off for days that we allow staff to do...staff can request off 8 days per schedule 4 can be week end days . I have staff that request to work all weekends Fri-sat-sun, I have one employee who works 3 on one off 3 on then has a 7 day stretch off before starts the same rotation...some on nocs work 6 in a row to get a 8 day stretch off... we are very flexible as long as all shifts are covered

[Fiona59]

My workplace offers 4, 8 and 12 hour shifts.

If you have a permanent position either full or part time you have to work every other weekend.

It all depends on who designed the rotation. There are some horribly ugly one in my hospital. We've been under a staff utilization study and it's not been pretty. Five 12s back to back then two off with two on, etc. I've heard of some people doing seven 8s back to back with three off before they come back. The company who designed the rotations read the union contracts and pushed them to the max when it comes to the allowable number of hours to work before overtime kicks in.

[CrazierThanYou]

Like everyone else said, there is no typical schedule but here is mine: I work Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night and I have the other 4 days off. In my department, we make our own schedules but everyone is on a different option and so everyone has different days they must work.

[msperry93]

"Im trying to find a 12hr rotion templete to use, does anyone have a idea on how to start one

[Karou]

Sometimes I like a couple of weeks of 3 days in a row, with 4 off between. Sometimes I like to split it up with 2 on and 1 off then work my 3rd day.

I plan my schedule around what's going on in my life. 3 in a row is tough but has it's advantages and disadvantages. I mix it up sometimes and see if there is something that I like better also.