Why aren't nursing homes doing 12 hour shifts???

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The market is awful at this time, so as a new nurse I am applying at many nursing homes in my area. I've noticed now that they have 3 shifts of (7-3, 3-11, 11-7)/5days and I'm sooo bummed. I was looking forward to the same 12 hours shifts that go on in hospitals (7-7, 3-3, etc)/3 days. I am possibly going to be offered the 3-11 shift, but I will never see my family with that... And I hate the thought of working 5 days a week, but I'm desperate. All the nursing homes seem to follow these hours. Any advice, will they mix that up in time? Why aren't they doing the same deal as the hospital shifts???

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I don't know, but I hate 12s. My facility isn't changing.

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Specializes in NICU,ICU,ER,MS,CHG.SUP,PSYCH,GERI.

Probably because 12 hours in a nursing home is too much!

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I work in a hospital and my department is the last one to work 8's. I work the 11-7 and it sucks. I never see my husband or family. We had a vote but it missed it buy one vote. In my state there has to be a 2/3 vote. All of the people on NOC and day shifts wanted it. The people that threw off the vote were those on the evening shift and those working part-time/per-diem that only work a few times a year.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Hospice, Palliative Care.

I'd LOVE 12 hour shifts as well! I work 3-11, and never get to see my "regular" friends anymore. I think that starting at noon - midnight would be a terrific shift, and make a pretty fair share of the workload.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I work 12-hour weekend night shifts at a nursing home. The nursing home where I am employed staffs with 8-hour shifts during the week, and 12-hour shifts during the weekends. Many facilities in the city where I live also staff with 16-hour shifts during the weekends.

However, I agree that nursing homes should consider offering 12-hour shifts during the week. It would eliminate the problem of having to staff the evening shift (2-10pm or 3-11pm) since many people do not like working that shift. The evening shift has the highest employee turnover rate in my area.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Twelve hour shifts were never meant to be the end-all and be-all that they have become. And if you worked 7a-7p in a nursing home you would be doing 80% of all the physical labor, since many patients are in bed by 8 pm.

Twelves are okay when you are young, but suck for the older nurses. I hated them when I was young, too!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

i actually enjoy my twelve hour shifts at the hospital. i do my 3 days, get it over with, and get to have a life for the other 4 days of the week. i've done it on both days and nights. i couldn't imagine having to work 5 days a week. the only things i can say is do what you have to do to support your family until you can switch to another facility. best of luck.;)

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At times I can barely stand the 8 hrs, I can't fathom doing 12.

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At times I can barely stand the 8 hrs, I can't fathom doing 12.

I see some people saying this, but its so nice having 4 days off free to do whatever you want vs. 2. Once I'm up, dressed and ready, I'd rather just keep going and get it over with. Driving to work 3 times a week vs. 5 with traffic. Most nurses on 12 hour shifts rave about it in the hospitals.

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My friend works at a nursing home and they have 12 hour shifts. It just depends on the location. Oh and they weren't weekend only 12 hour shifts, they offer 12 hour shifts every day.

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I worked for a nursing home that offered 12 hour shifts, but it was strictly during the weekend. I worked 7a-7p on Saturday and Sunday and it was manageable most of the time! Since the 8 hour shifts were offered to the Monday--Friday staff, it prevented them from having to work any weekend hours, and that was the general preference. I enjoyed my patients, but after working Mon--Friday at a nursing home, would anyone really want to pick up a shift or two during the weekend?

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