Why Can't Hospitals Offer Shifts Other Than 12 hr. 7 to 7?

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I am a single parent wanting to be home with my kids at a decent hour every day. I have been working 7p to 7a for the last 5 years. I am tired of it. Why do most hospitals only offer these horrendous 12 hour shifts?.. These hours are hard on families. I would love to be able to work 8 to 4 in a hospital. Why isn't that an option? Hospitals could offer 8am-4pm...then 4pm-12am and 12am-8am and maybe the nursing shortage wouldn't be so bad....:madface:

Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

You work two double shifts back to back?????????????????????????????????

If it works for you, I guess do it while you can, but I'll be willing to bet it won't be for long. That's a pretty rough routine to maintain.

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Specializes in Medical-Oncology.
I work two 16-hour shifts per week and wouldn't even dream of having it any other way.

I personally enjoy having 5 days off all in a row. Compressed work schedules are a good fit for me, since working 5 or 6 8-hour shifts does not appeal to me.

Woo hoo! Now that's what I call a SCHEDULE! :jester:

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I am with you neonurse97. I have not yet graduated, and I am a single mother of 2 who will not be able to do twelve hour shifts. All the hospitals in my area only offer the twelve hour shifts. It is really discouraging already.

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Specializes in LDRP.

We even have a daycare here, right next to the hospital (but not owned by it) that has hours of 0615 to 1930 for those 12 hour folks.

If you don't like 12's, go to a MD's office. they do only 8 hours. or cath lab. or outpatient surgery. or ltc. there are always options, if you look.

By only working 3 days a week, I also have time to schedule time to go to my son's school events. Lunch every Wednesday with his class, field trips, volunteering, conferences, etc.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

12 vs 8 is a very PERSONAL preferance - just because is it right for one person does not make it right for everyone. If a hospital wants to attract and keep more staff it helps to offer options - different shift lengths are one of the options they can offer.

Just because YOU prefer a certain shift and that shift works well for YOU doesn't mean that it should work that way for EVERYONE.

Telling people to just go find new jobs isn't the answer, (although it may be the only option in certain cases) helping people to explore that as a solution, AND OTHER IDEAS such as talking to management about how other shifts might work well is an option too!

:wink2:

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Specializes in ICU,ER.

I work two 16 hour shifts a week because it works out best for me. I have a 9 month old daughter and I am away from her only two nights a week....which is great. Does 16 hours in the ER whip my rear? You bet it does.... but we all have to make sacrifices.

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I work two 16-hour shifts per week and wouldn't even dream of having it any other way.

I personally enjoy having 5 days off all in a row. Compressed work schedules are a good fit for me, since working 5 or 6 8-hour shifts does not appeal to me.

I just hope I never have to share the highway with anyone so sleep-deprived!

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Many hospitals do offer different shifts. We have 8 hour shifts, we have 11-11 shifts, we have the 7-7 shifts, we have 7-3am shifts, etc. I know of hospitals with 10 hour shifts as well as regular 8-or 12 hour shifts. 8-4 to me doesn't solve childcare related issues. I would still have ot leave early to beat traffic just to get to work on time. And then sit in traffic longer to pick kids up and get home after work...

:twocents:

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I just hope I never have to share the highway with anyone so sleep-deprived!

Probably no less sleep deprived than the person who worked 11-7 after being awake the 8 hours before that to spend time with family. My hardest drive home was after an 8. It's not the hours you work, it's the hours you sleep. If they can get enough sleep, go for it.

Personally, I could do 2 16s if I could get 12 off in between. (Say 7p-11a then 11p to 3p.) But can't do it with only 8 between (since it's actually only 7 1/2 by the time you do shift change, etc.) But those that can, go for it! Sounds like it's actually a great continuity of care device. Yes, you're probably more tired at the end, but I think the knowledge of your patients would make up for it if it's an issue.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
twelve hour shifts are great when your in your 20's, 30's and maybe even your 40's if your lucky, but 50's and 60's----gets alittle tricky!!! !

nights get a little trickier in your 50s, too! that said, i'm all for my 12 hour shifts -- haven't worked 8s since 1983 and have no desire to go back! i'll be working 12s into my 60s!

ruby

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Specializes in LDRP.

We have a nurse on my floor who is 71 and does 2 12 hour nights a week.

She does nights b/c of the slower pace, though.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Social Security taxes 'max out' in the 95k salary range. After you make that much salary, you don't have to pay SS taxes anymore that year. The exact dollar amount of salary changes slightly every year.

~faith,

Timothy.

Thanks for the clarification, I didn't know that.

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