Which schedule would you rather work?

[Nurse ABC]

Would you rather work five days a week days with holidays and weekends off in the same area or would you rather work 2 to 3 7a-7p shifts a week with options for overtime or different areas? I can't decide which to pursue. I like the thought of having a set schedule and knowing exactly when I'm working but on the other hand I really don't like the thoughts of five days in a row with no options for overtime or growth. The 12 hr shift would be more stressful but I'd have more days off with more variety. If I worked the 12 hr shifts my kids would have to be by themselves a lot more but since they are older (17,14,and 10) I think they could handle it if it were only a couple times a week. My husband also works shift work so if I go for the 5 days a week we would only have a day off together every two weeks and I wouldn't see him much whereas the other shifts we would have a lot more time off together. If I go for the 5 days a week my kids wouldn't have to be on their own at all most of the time. Do those of you who work part-time 12 hr shifts think it's a good schedule? I've never done it before. I've always worked 8 hrs. but I'm thinking I'd like a couple longer days and be done but maybe working random days is not easy either. What do you think?

[faithoRN]

I currently work the 5 (8 hour) days and dislike it. I would go back to 3-12s in a heartbeat... less commute time, more time for scheduling appts. etc. Yes, the 3-12s gets tiring when all in a row, but its so worth it to have 4 days off. I would even go back to working nights and holidays to get back to 3 days a week.

[dreameyes1]

I work (6) 12 and 1(8) in a 2 week period and i am a single mom of wo teenage girls ( 16 &13) . Their Grandparents help with transportation for after school with the youngest one . The oldest drives and starts her parttime summer job in a few weeks. the few hours that they are by themselves is ok. We have the extra off days to make up for that. I work 8a-8p for the VA here in my area and have 45 minutes drive one way.

[1adb10]

Definitely 3 twelves .. I love the 4 days off to live love and do something for me!!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I work Sun/Mon/Tues. Every week. Off the rest of the time. It rocks.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Depends on your definition of growth or what you want to "grow" into. Personally I've found much more room for growth in the M-F setting, no weekends, no holidays.

[Rnandsoccermom]

For my mental health, it is better for me to have more than 2 days off a week. After 27 years, I don't want to spend 5 days a week at work. I want to enjoy life while my mind and body will still let me.

[WildOne]

3 12's I just finished a month and half of 5 days 8 hour shifts and you just dont have enough down time

[Savvy20RN, BSN, RN]

I like 12 hr shifts. Like people said above, you work 3 days then you're done for the week.

[Julie19, CNA]

Oh, how I would hate working M-F 8 hour shifts! Just the idea of it makes me shudder.

I work strictly weekends, 7p-7a. I love having the weeks off because I don't have to deal with the weekend crowds.

[DEgalRN]

Give me my 5 days M-F please! I don't mind weekends to be honest. But I feel so burnt out and tired at the end of the day it's not worth it full time. I'm moving to a M-F job with PRN 12 hours shifts which I'm very excited about!

[RNMom2010]

I love my 8-4 Mon-Fri, No weekends, No holidays position. I schedule my own day and work independently. :-) Perfect for this working momma!

[Lynx25, LPN]

Oh, how I would hate working M-F 8 hour shifts! Just the idea of it makes me shudder.

I work strictly weekends, 7p-7a. I love having the weeks off because I don't have to deal with the weekend crowds.

Yeah!

I really cannot stand working weekdays, it's SO crowded with admin making messes, people taking off with your charts, and therapy insisting you get your people up for about 30 seconds before they "get tired" and have to be put back to bed.