Working Less Than 8-Hour Shifts?

[FlameHeart, CNA]

I was thinking about working 6-days a week, but for 6-hour shifts each day, in a schedule that doesn't change (working Sundays but taking Saturdays off) for a total of 36 hours a week as a CNA, once I get my Certification and a job, and continuing this practice all the way into my BSRN making more money, and I get Married with Kids, at which point I would decrease to 5 days a week, but keep the 6-hours a day.

I know the standard is 5 days a week and 8 or 12 hours work shifts a day for Nurses.

Do any you work less than 8-hours a Day Non-Rotating Work Shifts?

or

Do you know of anyone who does this?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The only people I'm aware of on shorter than 8 hour shifts are those who are returning from leave with restrictions - and they are actively working back up to their 8 or 12 hour shift. What you're asking for is a scheduling nightmare.

[FlameHeart, CNA]

5 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:

The only people I'm aware of on shorter than 8 hour shifts are those who are returning from leave with restrictions - and they are actively working back up to their 8 or 12 hour shift. What you're asking for is a scheduling nightmare.

For those who work 8-hour shifts, is it doable to work Sunday-Monday, take Tuesdays off, work Wednesday-Friday, take Saturdays off?

or

work Sunday-Wednesday, take Thursdays off, work Friday, and take Saturday off?

or

just work Sunday-Friday, take Saturday off?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The only way to know that is to ask the employer. Rules are not only different from facility to facility but also even department to department within the same facility. 

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

It depends on the department needs. You can’t generally go into a department, stating what your scheduling needs are. Look for jobs that state the hours. Everyone has needs, especially people with young children. 

[FlameHeart, CNA]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I appreciate it. I was also hoping if anyone here has hours less than 6 a day they could share their experience, but I guess out of most places and situations less than 8 hours would be very rare.

[Davey Do]

1 hour ago, ChristopherGllardoJr. said:

Do any you work less than 8-hours a Day Non-Rotating Work Shifts?

This is over 20 years ago talking, Christopher: While working my gig as a freelance artist, I also worked for two HH agencies, picking up visits and hourly cases.

When desperate, the agencies would take whatever I could give. Since my wife worked full time, I was able to get on her insurance.

The situation got old real quick, and I returned to full time nursing after about a year of that. In '03, I got a FT position making more money than my previous nursing and art jobs combined, so I gave up the freelance art jobs.

I have done art since primarily for my own enjoyment, picking up a commissioned job here and there.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I recall (back in the day) some SNFs having 4 hr shifts for treatment nurses. This has probably gone the way of the Dodo bird however.

Your other requirements (fixed times/days) probably further push this outside of the bounds of likelihood. 

Best of luck making things work; sometimes life beats the odds in a good way...

[Sour Lemon]

Rarely, I've negotiated a short shift when staffing was short. In those cases, they're grateful to have an extra person during the busiest time, even if you can't stay until the end.

I've never heard of anyone getting hired for a schedule like the one you're describing, though.

[Nunya, BSN]

11 hours ago, ChristopherGllardoJr. said:

For those who work 8-hour shifts, is it doable to work Sunday-Monday, take Tuesdays off, work Wednesday-Friday, take Saturdays off?

or

work Sunday-Wednesday, take Thursdays off, work Friday, and take Saturday off?

or

just work Sunday-Friday, take Saturday off?

I don't think any job (edit: any hospital or LTC job) will let you take every Saturday off, even if you work every Sunday.  That would be splitting up your weekend which means someone else would have to split up their weekend, and people will scream.  Now you can certainly trade with people to get Saturdays off.  You might be able to get a certain weekday off every week but not a weekend.

[Nunya, BSN]

9 hours ago, Sour Lemon said:

Rarely, I've negotiated a short shift when staffing was short. In those cases, they're grateful to have an extra person during the busiest time, even if you can't stay until the end.

I've never heard of anyone getting hired for a schedule like the one you're describing, though.

Yes, I've been able to pick up 3-7 when a 8 hour person was going home, or work 7p-11p to bridge the gap between a 12 hour day and an 8 hour night nurse, but it's not scheduled, it's all OT.  

[RNperdiem, RN]

I work per diem, and have the option to work shorter shifts, but because of the headache of matching up short shifts to fit into a 12 hour system, rarely take them. The charge nurse would need to reshuffle the entire staffing to have someone to pick up your patient load after 6 hours. Constantly having your coworkers have to shuffle their assignments to pick up your load will not make you popular. 

I pick up part shifts when someone is working overtime for part of a shift, and I pick up the rest. This makes life easier.

A fixed schedule is possible for a per diem nurse, and I work the days and shifts that I prefer. However, your hours are not guaranteed as a per diem and you are the first called off or (more likely) to float.