Working x# of shifts in a row ...

deleern · Jul 29, 2007

My Record is 11 Days in a row... Some of them being 12 hour shifts. this was due to illness of Staff members. Each Facility has there own policy. but when others have vactions i just "Stiff uppper lip it" because i know i need time off as well.

RachelLVN · Jul 29, 2007

This varies from state to state; the Texas BNE is currently trying to limit nurses to three 12-hour shifts in a row, but I'm sure that will never pass, as the nursing shortage here is RIDICULOUS. I think my current record is 13 days in a row, but actually right now I'm exhausted (just got off from my fourth 12-hour night). Tonight's my last night before two days off though

Bluehair · Jul 29, 2007

Can't say as I know any rules at our hospital re: how many you can work in a row. BUT - I would take it up with whomever makes out your schedule. 6 nights in a row (especially if they are 12 hour shifts ) can kick your butt pretty hard. Sometimes when schedules are made out, the scheduler isn't paying attention to some of those details. It isn't personal, just trying to get coverage going - make sure all the little boxes are filled in without looking closely enough as to the impact on the people involved. I had to do it for a while, and accidently had one poor nurse working a bunch of weekends in a row. As soon as she pointed it out, I apologized and could massage things around and do it differently.

Filling out the schedule is a thankless job and I'm glad I don't have to do it any more. It is SO hard to make everyone happy and still have the right mix of staff working, with enough to cover some mysterious census that is a month away from now. What a headache.

It can't hurt to ask to a)see if it can be done differently, and b)ask that it not be scheduled that way again in the future.

Good luck!

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2007

Years ago, I did 14 nite shifts in a row--8 hrs each shift. Today, that would not be allowed where I work--we can not do more then 7 shifts in a row, now.

I did the 14 in a row so I could extend my vacation.

I'm way too old now to do that again, anyway!!LOL!!

PMFB-RN, RN · Jul 29, 2007

Is there a cap. on the number of shifts you can be scheduled in a row?
I am scheduled to work 6 night shifts in a row, does this seem right?
What is the record number of shifts you have worked in a row?

*** I live in Wisconsin and there is no law limiting the number of shifts on a row a nurse can work. Last March I worked 14 12 hour night shifts in a row. I wasn't scheduled for them but volunteered.

Different nurses have different tolerances for how many shifts they can work in a row. I am regularly scheduled to work 6 or 7 in a row and i LOVE the 8 days in a row I get off afterward. I am very much opposed to one size fits all rules for the number or days or hours an RN can work.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 29, 2007

I live in IL and once did 12 twelve hour shifts in a row - night shift. Talk about exhausted. However, was necessary in order to pay bills.

OC_An Khe · Jul 29, 2007

There are no legal limits that I know of. I used to routinely do 7 nights (8hr) shifts in a row but it always guaranteed me 2 days off in a row. I was much younger then.

The discussion now is about how sleep deprived people get when working successive 12 hr shifts, particularly night shifts and the resulting safety issue for both the patient and the nurse. I know one size doesn't fit all but there should be some standard.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jul 29, 2007

There are no legal limits that I know of. I used to routinely do 7 nights (8hr) shifts in a row but it always guaranteed me 2 days off in a row. I was much younger then.
The discussion now is about how sleep deprived people get when working successive 12 hr shifts, particularly night shifts and the resulting safety issue for both the patient and the nurse. I know one size doesn't fit all but there should be some standard.

*** It's different for different nurses. I don't get sleep deprived at all when working many 12 hour night shifts in a row. Two other nurses and I rent a tiny apartment 400 yard from the ICU where I work. When working several 12 hour shifts in a row I sleep there. We have air conditioning and comfortable beds and dark curtains. I sleep well there, better than at home with the kids around. My wife is a stay at home mom. She gets all my scrubs ready ahead of time. All I have to do when I get off work is take a 5 min walk to the apartment, shower and fall into bed. I always get 7-9 hours sleep, then get up, shave get dressed and walk back to the hospital for dinner and work. I usually have time to surf the net or read a book for a couple hours before my shift starts every day. I can do this because my wife is at home ( I live an hour away) taking care of things and supporting me. I am also pretty physically fit which helps I think.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jul 29, 2007

My union contract states that we can't be scheduled for more than 6 shifts in a row unless the employee wants to work more. I personally have worked 8 in a row, when trying to pad my bank account and helping out another unit I prn'd on. It was tiring, but financially worth it.

Indy, LPN, LVN · Jul 29, 2007

I'm in the middle of 6 in a row. It'll be nice when it's done.

kcochrane · Jul 30, 2007

There is no limit on how many days you can work in a row - if its your choice. We are give 4 days off every two weeks, with two days being your weekend, so it is possible to work 6-7 days in a row depending on how you request your days off. We self schedule and most of us try to spread out our days so we aren't working more than 3 in a row. My record was 11 when my manager insisted I had volunteered to work one of my days off. I have always made the rule that I will not work on my days off. I will work a double instead if they need help. I need my days off for my sanity.