Work 3 nights in a row or keep schedule?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

I love three in a row, most of the time. I generally have the same (or close to the same) assignment on consecutive nights, so by the third night everything goes much more efficiently.

hikernurse · Mar 21, 2008

I prefer three in a row, too, but not everyone does. After my third night I sleep in the morning and stumble around in the afternoon before going to bed early. That way I'm pretty much back on track for my four lovely days off :).

Magik · Mar 22, 2008

Here is what I did when I worked 12 hour nights...

If you keep them together...you can work, for example...MTW, then have off until the Wednesday of the following week when you can work ***. Some places require you work one Monday and one Friday a month. This system worked great and it gives you enough break that fitting in an OT shift is less of an issues.

:-)

Hello all! My husband is going to be taking some classes through work. He works days and I work 12 hour nights. Usually, I get up anywhere between 1630 and 1730 and eat dinner see husband till 1815 and go to work. He is gone when I get home in the morning. So, now for three weeks in May he is going to getting home possibly at 1800, maybe later. I usually work 2 days off at least 2 days then pick up the third in the week. I was wondering would it be better just to work the three in the row to have "more time" but be sleeping on the "first day off" or just keep it the way it is and go with it? I really hate working 3 in a row, but my new job is alot easier and not as stressful. I guess if I like it then maybe I will stick with it. I would like some feedback from people who work three in a row all the time. Thank you.

CHATSDALE · Mar 22, 2008

i would like the three in a row but everyone has to pick the right pattern for themselves

1993RNGrad · Mar 22, 2008

I work three nights in a row - usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Although sometimes I dread that third night, I love having Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday's off........

We sometimes get the same assignments, but more often than not, we have a different assignment each night to acuity changes......however, it's not always a bad thing to move on to a new assignment....LOL...

Good luck deciding....

obgoddess · Mar 22, 2008

I work seven days in a row...it is supposed to be 6 on and 8 off...the seventh is overtime bc we are short staffed on nights...so i got stuck with it...i would kill for three in a row....

Perpetual Student · Mar 22, 2008

3 12s in a row would be my ideal schedule, but I can see how it might wear some out. I hate working 8 hr shifts and having to work so many shifts per week. All of my friends live at least an hour away from me and I can't really do anything fun other than screw around on my computer and watch movies on days I've gotta work.

confused101 · Mar 22, 2008

I'm required to work on weekend a schedule Friday and Saturday and one weekend day a month which is Friday for me. They are already set in stone which weekend and which weekday. I'm going to try the three in a row. It will either kill me or make me wonder why I haven't done this before. This week I worked TW off TH then on Fri all night 12's I don't know which way is up sometimes. :) Thank you for everyone giving their input. It is greatly appreciated.

nurserynurse55 · Mar 22, 2008

You will be fine. I work 2 twevle hour shifts and 3 eight hour shifts a week. All are nights, and often I have four of them in a row. I am also pregnant and I can handle it.:heartbeat

LeavingTeaching4RN · Mar 22, 2008

You will be fine. I work 2 twevle hour shifts and 3 eight hour shifts a week. All are nights, and often I have four of them in a row. I am also pregnant and I can handle it.:heartbeat

WOW!! You're my shero!

confused101 · Mar 22, 2008

You will be fine. I work 2 twevle hour shifts and 3 eight hour shifts a week. All are nights, and often I have four of them in a row. I am also pregnant and I can handle it.:heartbeat[/quote
You are super woman. I noticed you work in NICU. I would be afraid of making an error. I know that when my 0730 comes around I am brainless. I work on a surgical floor. No working 16 hours in a row for me r/t I'm afraid of hurting others. Congrats on the pregnancy and have a wonderful birth.