[vincent]

Hi everyone,

I've been researching about nursing as a potential career so I would like to know what are the hours that you work? Do you work 8,10,12,etc... hrs a day?

Thanks,

- Vincent

[cassioo]

my "normal" schedule is 3 12 hr shifts per week 7am-7:30pm (30 minute unpaid lunch which often times isn't taken or is cut short) my position does say I'll rotate of work as needed but I haven't worked a night shift (scheduled) since July 4th 2004 but have one coming up next week when someone starts maternity leave. Most of the nurses on my unit work 12 hr shifts there are just a couple that work 5 8 hr shifts per week. For the most part we work every other weekend. We also take turns being on call after 3pm (this is labor and delivery unit and we do our own scheduled c-sections)

I also work perdiem at another hospital and work whatever and whenever I want to usually 12 hr day shifts anywhere from 1 day per month to 2-3 days per week when I'm off at my full time job.

[vincent]

Thanks Cassioo for the wonderful infos. In my opinion, I think 12 hrs is way too long and I would prefer 8 hours/5 days a week. By the way, could you please explain to me what it means by "rotating"? I see that a lot in the forum but too stupid to know what it means.

- Vincent

[nursinghumor]

I work agency, so it varies every week. I work 8s, 12s, 16s, days, evenings, weekends. Depends on my schedule.

My wife works three 12 hour shifts/week, and every third weekend. If you're flexible about where you'll go and what you'll do, you can find the hours you want in most places.

Unlike most 9 to 5 jobs, nurses can work days, evenings, nights or weekends to accommodate family obligations, school, etc.

One of the pluses I will admit to for the nursing profession

Most days I'm not recommending nursing.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com

[cassioo]

Originally Posted by vincent

. By the way, could you please explain to me what it means by "rotating"? I see that a lot in the forum but too stupid to know what it means.

- Vincent

Rotating means just that you rotate shifts you might be on days (7am-7pm) one week then nights (7pm-7am) the next or even switch up in the same week if you're unlucky enough to do that. Say MOnday night 7pm, Tuesday off (ok sleep that day some) then Wed 7am and Thurs 7am.

I would never do 8 hr shift again for a full time job I work 3 12 hr shifts then have 4 days off then 4 days off again then 3 more shifts so 8 day off without taking a vacation day..... When I worked in a factory (many moons ago) I often had to work 12 hr 7 days per week. I prefer to work my shifts and be done with them. I worked last Wed don't go back till this Wed....except have to go today and meet with unit directors of the hospital I'll be teaching clinicals at this semester.

[tailgunn]

Hey nursinghumor, can you elaborate on why you are not reccomending nursing? I've read a lot of the negative stuff, but it seems that I see more posts by people that are happy and highly reccomend it.

[nursinghumor]

There are too many other career options out there, that pay better, give you more prestige, are not as back-breaking and where you feel appreciated and in control of your work environment.

Nursing is not something you go into because it pays well, you'll make what you need, but never what you are worth.

You will work your tail off to give the patients the care they need, get your hands dirty and will not feel appreciated by your employers (or patients/coworkers) the majority of the time.

Once you become disabled or unable to do bedside nursing, your career is over and you'll find little if any support from your employers.

For a detailed explanation, visit http://www.nursefriendly.com/views for articles both recommending and not recommending nursing as a career.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursinga2z.com

[smbrn]

I am half way through a 13 week travel assignment and I work 3 12 hour shifts per week, rotating from days to nights every other week. I was afraid that after working 8 hour shifts for years that the 12s would be too much but actually once I got used to them I actually like them better. My day is pretty much wrecked anyways if I have to work so I might as well stay the extra 4 and work on enjoying my days off. The worst part of the schedule is that on two occasions recently I have had to work five 12 hour shifts in six days, of course, no overtime involved as this is done at the end of one and beginning of another pay period. So, it works out to sixty hours work in six days! Brutal.

[Big Toe]

Could someone please clarify a little more? I am assuming if you work a 12 hour shift then you work 3 days a week correct? So say you start on Monday and work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Do yo work those same days every week?

I noticed someone mentioned that they worked 3 days and then had 4 days off, then another 4 off and then 3 on. So is it work Mon-Wed, Off Thurs-Sund, Off Mon-Thurs, On Fri-Sun, On again Mon-Wed having you basically work 6 days off 8 days, on 6 days, off 8 days?

Would someone please explain this to me ....I guess I am not good at the new math as they say.

[cassioo]

I like to work 3 on 4 off 4 off 3 on then maybe 2 off 1 on 1 off 2 on....my schedule varies but I prefer to try and work my 3 together and my 4 off together sometimes it doesn't work like that & sometimes I do get those 8 off in a row that way I save vacation time and still have a week off. My boss is pretty flexable with the schedule as long as the unit is covered she doesn' tcare. Some people I work with don't want to do 3 in a row. I hate work one off one work one off one.