Who came up with the idea of 12 HOUR SHIFTS?

[Epona]

Hello. I am a new nurse pulling 12 hour shifts. Let me say I LOVE my job and I LOVE being a RN. However, after about 8 hours, I start to feel TIRED. By the time I get home, heck, I can hardly type on the computer my eyes and fingers just don't want to work anymore. I am pretty much out of it by then.... like a zombie.

Who (when) did nurses have to start doing 12 hour shifts?? :igtsyt: Since we are nurses, handle meds and make life and death decisions.... WHY are we working over 8 hours?? Seems somewhat unsafe to me. We are human and get tired. Most jobs are 8 hours. As medical professionals, we should work even less in my opinion, since we have to be 'on our game' all the time. Ugh. :sstrs:

[RNKPCE]

There are pros and cons to both types of shifts.

If I was working full time I would probably want to do 12's

I work 2- 8 hour shifts a week which includes everyother weekend. If I did 12's I wouldn't get to attend my kids sporting events on the weekends I work. I can now because I do 3-11 and can go to any game up until about 2pm.

[stormdanzr23]

I work 8 hrs now... did a year of 16 hrs shifts. 16 is a little much but i would love to have 12!! I dont think 8 hrs is enough time to get all the work i need to get done finished!!

[CASTLEGATES]

I want 12 hour shifts but the ancients won't do it where I work. I believe the right hand of God created 12 hour shifts! I like having 4 day weekends!

[Perpetual Student]

I get the impression that those who prefer 8s haven't worked nights. Working 8s on nights eats up your entire life. If you're lucky and both of your nights off are in a row, you get one day that you can do things during the hours when other people are awake. Otherwise you're trapped in a lonely, horrible existence. No thank you. 8s might be OK when you have a schedule that is compatible with most of the world, but when everywhere is closed during your wakeful hours it's a real bear.

I prefer 12 hr nights, but would be OK with working 8s on days/evenings. 8 hr nights is totally lame, at least when you're full time.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

There are pros and cons to both types of shifts.

If I was working full time I would probably want to do 12's

I work 2- 8 hour shifts a week which includes everyother weekend. If I did 12's I wouldn't get to attend my kids sporting events on the weekends I work. I can now because I do 3-11 and can go to any game up until about 2pm.

That was tough on me as well - in order to get some sleep I'd have to be in bed about 7 p.m. and all my kids played sports. Football, baseball, etc.

Many times I was at football games until 10 p.m. and then to work at 0245. You come home just wiped out.

I'm glad I work part-time now. Really really glad.

steph

[nurse4u260]

The 12 hour shifts are very long. I have been a nurse for almost 20 years. In my early days of nursing 12 hour shifts were volunteer. It kept nurses from having to work 5 days a week. I also believe lack of nurses d/t the nursing shortage caused hospitals to change shifts to 12 hours instead of 8. There were not enough nurses to fill each 8 hour shift. Nurses were having to do mandatory overtime which was sometimes 16 hours. Nurses were willing to do the 12 hours to do away with mandatory 16 hours. (Makes sense) I have been a travel nurse for many years and have not seen many hospitals out there that offer 8 hours. Nurses like the 12 hours more for the time they dont have to spend at their place of employment. Most would rather work 3-4 in a 2 week period then 10.

Kathy Chrisman RN, MSN

[CASTLEGATES]

12 hour shifts don't use any less staff than any other shifts; they make the numbers equal out regardless (unless there's overtime). I've been at it a couple decades...throw all the shifts at me you can! Gimme doubles 5 days a week in this economy and I'm happy! Over 12 hours the mistakes do rise substantially. It's too bad we can't to it where I am; the union has infiltrated like a cancer! I used to love Fri Sat Sun 12 hour nights and get the differentials with plenty of time to wrap it all up by the end of the shift.

Once the economy settles, I'll have more seeking power to find a place that offers 12's. For me, not offering it is a deal breaker...unless they can be flexible. More than half the staff want it but the oldsters are stuck in their ways (wait, I'm an oldster)! They can do the clean up shifts, though since typically 6 12's and an 8 make it a pay period put the 8's in to back the other odd 8's and everyone's happy. I've done scheduling lots; it's just a matter of giving staff what they want and everyone's happy. Self scheduling is the way to go for staff retention....my opinions, though...everyone's got one )

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I get the impression that those who prefer 8s haven't worked nights. Working 8s on nights eats up your entire life. If you're lucky and both of your nights off are in a row, you get one day that you can do things during the hours when other people are awake. Otherwise you're trapped in a lonely, horrible existence. No thank you. 8s might be OK when you have a schedule that is compatible with most of the world, but when everywhere is closed during your wakeful hours it's a real bear.

I prefer 12 hr nights, but would be OK with working 8s on days/evenings. 8 hr nights is totally lame, at least when you're full time.

I am quoting this because it is a perfect mirror to what I experienced on eight hour nights as well. When the 24 hour Wal-Mart employees know you better than your friends do it is pretty sad. (and I hate Wal-Mart but when it's the only place open...)

Tait

[nygirl1986]

i love 12 hour shifts!!! to be honest, the day totally flies by for me, if you get tired throughout the day go to the cafeteria and grab a cup of coffee or something maybe?? i can't see how someone would possibly be less tired having to work 5 days out of the week as opposed to three. even if you are tired those three days, you have 4 guaranteed days off so catch up on your sleep then?? like a few of the other posts said, if it bothers you that much just get a job that offers 8 hour shifts i guess???

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

I did 12 hours shifts for ten yrs. Now am doing 8 hours. i like them both but i am doing ft 8's/ Its so nice to start the day early and get off early. I get every other weekend off with 1 day during the week and that works great

[Riley3]

I would love to do 12's...currently working 8 hour days/5 days a week. My employer did offer them to me but I turned them down once I looked at the schedule. They made sure I never had more then 2 days off in a row and threw in a silly 6 hour shift. On my weekend on I would do 12 on Thursday 6 hours on Friday and 12 hours sat and sunday. All the other 12 hour shift workers get 3 days off in a row. I travel 48 miles one way to work, but unless they modifiy the 12 hour shedule a bit I will happily walk out of there at 3pm and have the whole evening for my kids.

[Super_RN, BSN, RN]

I am quoting this because it is a perfect mirror to what I experienced on eight hour nights as well. When the 24 hour Wal-Mart employees know you better than your friends do it is pretty sad. (and I hate Wal-Mart but when it's the only place open...)

Tait

Absolutely!