Why 12 hr. shifts???

[SusieQ1243]

I would like to return to working in a hospital setting but what I've noticed about most job opportunities is that they are always for 12 hour shifts.

After having already worked 12 hrs before on a med/surg floor, for me, these shifts nearly KILL me. My mind and body shut down after 8 hours and those extra 4 or 5 hours are especially taxing when I am so worn out. I burn out quickly. Having two extra days off each week is little comfort when I know that it will take two days just to recuperate.

As a single mother of two it will be difficult to find daycare and after-school care for my children.

My question is, why aren't hospitals offering 8 hr. shifts as an option? Perhaps part of this nursing shortage could be resolved if nurses had scheduling options.

I've also wondered why more hospitals aren't offering on-site daycare? Most nurses are women (duh), many are single, and inevitably, many have children.

Any thoughts, comments or solutions?

[KRVRN, BSN, RN]

I love 12's. Of course I'm only 26 years old, no kids, no husband... We also have self-scheduling--it's wonderful to end up with anywhere from 1-8 days off in a row without using any PTO! I'm on vacation right now for 19 days straight and I only took 6 PTO days! The only thing is, my unit (NICU)--for some reason--has a large handful of 8 hour shift RN's, so they STILL have to deal with staffing an ICU at 3,7, and 11!!! Oh well, not my problem!!

[bagladyrn, RN]

I've worked 12's on nights for the last 13 yrs. and would never go back to 8's. I liked being home with my first cup of coffee when my boys got home from school. Now, as a traveler, I won't accept contracts for anything else. Not much use in being in a new place if I don't have days off to explore!

[Julie, RN]

I love twelves, 4 days off a week is very nice....

My husband is even jealous. With the extra time off, you can go back to school, do work projects to get clinical ladder points, clean your house, veg out, socialize, travel, study for your nursing specialty certification,etc...

At my work, we are on set time track schedules, meaning you work the same schedule every month-it just keeps repeating itself. We work one weekend a month and every 4th week we get an entire week off. I couldn't imagine working 8's, I'de feel like I lived at work. I am also postponing getting my masters b/c I love twelves so much. I am not ready to give up this freedom yet!

:)

[Julie, RN]

I love twelves, 4 days off a week is very nice....

My husband is even jealous. With the extra time off, you can go back to school, do work projects to get clinical ladder points, clean your house, veg out, socialize, travel, study for your nursing specialty certification,etc...

At my work, we are on set time track schedules, meaning you work the same schedule every month-it just keeps repeating itself. We work one weekend a month and every 4th week we get an entire week off. I couldn't imagine working 8's, I'de feel like I lived at work. I am also postponing getting my masters b/c I love twelves so much. I am not ready to give up this freedom yet!

:)

[mustangsheba]

I like 12-hour shifts. In fact, I have worked 16's on just the weekends. I was very tired on Monday, but just hung around and did laundry and watched movies. By Tuesday, I was ready to enjoy the the rest of the week. In any case, it is not unusual to work 9 or 10 hours on an 8 hour shift. When I can work 12's, I can get all that work done and usually have a little more time to spend with my patients. Those are my biorhythms. As an agency nurse, I find I'm covering the need for some 8-hour nurses.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Hi....does the place you are looking into offer 8's? We advertise for 12's but if people want 8's they will let them work them. I think some people have been a bit strong is saying that 12 hours shifts are for suckers and such....I don't know any daycare that stays open until after 8p....most close at 6p. And most don't open until 6:30a. I do enjoy working 8's...they are a nice change...you can do just about any thing for 8 hours....12 hours are hard on you...and some people just can't do it.

I would ask about an 8 hour option!

[jamistlc]

Originally posted by theboss

Maria,

have you worked 12 hour shifts? because i would in noway work 12 have a day off then work 12 have a day off. 3 years ago the hosp. took a vote on 8 hour shifts or 12 hour shifts. all the nurses went for 12. some work 2 - 12s a couple days off then another 12. some work 3 straight. me i just worked 5 straight. when you work 12s at night it is no different to us , we still sleep as usual and work as usual. the only difference is night and day. our hospitol loves the 12,. :D thanks alicia

I agree wholeheartly. I love 12's 7p - 7A there is little difference between 11-7 and 7p-7a!

[imaRN]

SusieQ1243 I know my hosp. would let you work 4 hr. shifts if you wanted to......You tell them what YOU want.....

Kewlnurse I have to agree totally 12 hr. shifts (go to work less + be at home more='s Happiness, it helps too that we make our own schedules.......

Bessie I have worked with several "nursing moms" who pumped at work.....We covered for them......just like we cover for the smokers........ hey! maybe I need to take up.....no......imaRN

[MollyJ]

It always surprises me about how strongly people feel about shifts.

I was someone that didn't tolerate 12's but worked somewhere where we had mixed 8 and 12's. I think it dampens staff cohesiveness to have people coming off and on at all different times but I think it can be done and I think smart hospitals work flexibly.

Twelves left me too wasted to do much but recover for the next wave of days and I wasn't good at using 3 days off to just spontaneously go somewhere. I understand that this is not usual or typical or normal, but it was how it was for me.

I also think those folks who worked marathon 12's for 5 or more days in a row to "go somewhere" were sometimes like practicing with nursing bears. On day 4 or after, you never knew when they might reach out and growl.

I am always impressed with those nurses who can make shifts work for them and, bottom line, that's the key. If you can find the reliable child care and schedule your child's events on days off, go for it. But I also agreed with the lady who said she was picky about child care. However, if your children are young and you work nights, you may still need a baby sitter because sleeping is a priority. It is not something you fit in between Barney, peanut butter sandwiches and their nap.

Finally, when I worked nights for about 18 months, I wrecked my car 3 times. This was no coincidence. Nurses should read _The Promise of Sleep_ by William Dement. Dement is a pioneer in sleep research and he talks about sleep deprivation. I think even nurses that tolerate 12's experience sleep dep and he makes a convincing case for the extended health effects of sleep dep.

You know, as nurses we are taught to look at patients as part of their families and to see how illness impacts an entire family. Our jobs are just like that. It doesn't matter if 1,000 nurses post that 12 hour nights or days are great (although their tips and mindsets are helpful). What matters is how this works for you and your family. If you're single, that might mean you in your life that includes more than nursing.

[nursenightmare]

We have a system where both 12 and 8 hour shifts are utilized. It works really well. The 12 hour postions fill faster than the eights. I work eights now and find myself burning out faster doing the 8's than 12's. It's all a personal preference and having the option of either one gives more flexiblity for everyone.

I'm getting ready to travel nurse now. I specifically wanted the 12 hour shifts. It was a difference of having 2 or 4 days off a week to sightsee.

Kate:D

[Dplear]

I love 12 hour shifts... work 7 12"s in a row with a week off. That is my regular shift...work a week off a week...I would not trade it for anything.

[SusieQ1243]

Dplear, how in the world do you do SEVEN 12's in a row? If I worked that many 12's in a row on Med/Surg they would have to carry ME out on a stretcher! What area are you working in?