Working 12 Hr shifts???

HappyNurse2005, RN · Nov 2, 2005

Really, its not bad. that 4 more hours is good for getting things done! sometimes, 8 hours just isn't enough to do all you need to do.

plus, working just 3 days a week is lovely!!!

onconurseRT · Nov 2, 2005

:rolleyes: I think that it depends on where you work and what the work environment is like. I started in May at a hospital that does not make any provisions for their nurses to take lunches or even a small break. I did start working 12 hours at first, but when I had to go 12-14 hours with no food or even a chance to grab a drink of water or juice, I decided to only work 8 hours. I would suggest finding a place that has some teamwork and a system in place in which you can take a few minutes for food and a break.

Good luck.

tmarie75 · Nov 2, 2005

I personally hate 12 hr. shifts. I work one 12 and three 8's normally. 8 hours goes by so fast and if your day sucks, it's always good to know that there won't be 4 extra hours of hell. The only time I work more than one 12 is when I work weekends, which is every 3rd weekend a month. Usually weekends are okay though, so I don't mind. 12's can be tiring both physically and mentally, especially when things are really busy. 8's work for me just fine. Assess your energy level and decide what works best for you.

grinnurse, RN · Nov 2, 2005

I have been working 12's now since May and once I got used to them they are ok. Sometimes, depending on how busy they are they can get a little tiring. I don't think that I could go back to working 8s now though. I love the fact that I only work 7 out of 14 day pay period. You do have to make sure that you get a lunch and potty breaks though cause it can get so busy that you don't have time!! Good luck.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2005

Of course, if you work on a floor where breaks are hard to come by, 12 hours is going to suck. But if you work someplace where you regularly get your breaks and it's not too crazy...working 12's is wonderful. Once you're there and have worked 8 hours, 4 more on top of that really isn't a big deal. It's so much easier to do that, and work 3 12's, than to work 4-5 days a week with shorter shifts. You get 4 whole days off per week to relax and spend with your family, it's great! I do 3 12's and quite often get 7-8 days off in a row, without using any vacation time. No 9-5 job can beat that!!!

straba · Nov 2, 2005

if you work on a floor where breaks are hard to come by

Me no understand, what is "breaks"!! 12 hour shifts take a little getting used to, but working only 3 days a week is sweet!! :cool:

salvati08 · Nov 2, 2005

Thanks everyone for your comments!!!!!!!!!!!!! :nurse:

land64shark · Nov 2, 2005

I'm currently debating whether I will accept an earn as you learn scholorship for nursing school from a local hospital. There is a 2 year work commitment involved and I've been told that they do not do 12 hour shifts at this hospital. I'm just hating the idea of working 5 days a week (I'm a stay at home mom) especially in an area I don't want to be (med/surg) for 2 years. If it were 3 12 hr shifts a week, it would be much easier for me to bide my time. Or even if I were doing 5 8's a week, but in an area I wanted to be in, that would be doable as well. It's just the combination of the two doesn't sit well with me.

Apparently critical care and the ED do offer 12's, but I would be required to work med/surg for the 2 years.

Miss Mab · Nov 2, 2005

Hi landshark,

I was in a situation somewhat similar to yours and I made the decision to go for what i really wanted rather than take the deal. Part of the reason I loved the idea of nursing was exactly for the 12 hour shifts and more time off/etc. I absolutely hated med/surg doing school and definitely wanted ED which i now have. 12 hours there is a quick dream--for me, only, 12 hours on the floor would kill me. Especially to think I am stuck there for two years.

Anyway, my point was, the money sounds like a nice idea but I finally decided a time commitment was more valuable than any money. You may find, as I did, that many hospitals with what you want will offer loan repayment and then there is also the DHHS nurse loan repayment that you can apply for. I know hanging on to debt is frightening but if you really are kind of dreading what you're trading off I would just wait for what you want and trust that things will work out.

My 2 cents,

Mab

vegnurse21 · Nov 2, 2005

I'm really glad you made this thread because I'll be graduating in July and have been debating the exact same thing. I work 8 hour shifts as a PCA and they go by SO fast because you are always so busy. And like others have said, even as a PCA sometimes 8 hours just isn't enough time to get everything done! I hate that feeling and I always like to give my patients adequate care (don't we all?) so I really would like to give 12 hour shifts a try. However, my energy level has always been kinda...well, low. Ha! I don't want to crash at the end of the shift. If I can stay busy the whole time I'm usually okay, but it's when things get a little slow and I sit down that I really start to get a little drowsy then it's all downhill from there lol.

I'll be in the NICU though, so I don't really anticipate much sitting down. I'm definitely going to give it a try at first at least. I'd much much rather work 3 days instead of 5!

land64shark · Nov 3, 2005

Hi landshark,
I was in a situation somewhat similar to yours and I made the decision to go for what i really wanted rather than take the deal. Part of the reason I loved the idea of nursing was exactly for the 12 hour shifts and more time off/etc. I absolutely hated med/surg doing school and definitely wanted ED which i now have. 12 hours there is a quick dream--for me, only, 12 hours on the floor would kill me. Especially to think I am stuck there for two years.
Anyway, my point was, the money sounds like a nice idea but I finally decided a time commitment was more valuable than any money. You may find, as I did, that many hospitals with what you want will offer loan repayment and then there is also the DHHS nurse loan repayment that you can apply for. I know hanging on to debt is frightening but if you really are kind of dreading what you're trading off I would just wait for what you want and trust that things will work out.
My 2 cents,
Mab

Thanks for your 2 cents Miss Mab. I'll keep everything you said in mind. What's the DHHS nurse loan repayment?