Nurses.. what shift do you prefer??

Question

What shifts do you prefer? 
Days/nights? 
 
M-F 8-5 or 3 12’s? 
Do you have kids.. if so what’s easier for you? 
I have been a nurse for only about 2 months. I work home health which is a M-F 8-5. If I’m being honest... I loved it at first but am now hating it. I’ve always dreamt of either doing l&d/postpartum or OR, not home health. I hate only having 2 days off. I get overwhelmed because I have many dr appts all the time and feel like I have no time for them. I also hate having to use one of my two days off to catch up from the week (laundry, cleaning, errands). I also have 2 kids and feel like I don’t get enough time with them. I want to leave but I’m so new that I feel like I need to give it time. Plus, what if I leave for 3 12’s and HATE IT. Ugh I’m so scared. 
Plus a little side note.. I can feel the intense judgment from my husband when I talk about the possibility of leaving.. help.

Answer

Honestly, every option sucks. Lol. 
I do 12’s and I love the extra days off BUT 12’s are so much more exhausting. Sometimes I feel like the first day or two on my stretch off is useless because I just need to rest. 
Also, as far as hospital nursing, both days and nights are hard. I used to do 12 hour days and now I do 12 hour nights. Not to say that nights aren’t hard or busy, but I found that I was getting more burnt out with days. I like the routine of night shifts better. That being said day shift sleep schedule is so much better for your body and makes a difference. 
Also, I 100% relate to your struggle of just wanting to quit! My advice is to try new things for a little while because you might find something you love. Try out different shifts, consider being part time of you can. Try to take care of yourself and find ways to destress in your days off.

Answer

I’d rather die that work 5 days a week 😂 3 12’s for me.

Answer

3-12’s (no kids yet) but I love having more days off including weekdays. I hate 8 hr shifts.

Answer

I like 3, 12 hours on day shift. I always make sure every week I have 3 days off in a row and usually at least once every schedule I do a long 4 day weekend since we have self scheduling.

Answer

I work 3-12s. Currently on maternity leave but I return full time in august . I’m going to work during my partners off days (Sunday, Monday , Tuesday ) and get anywhere between 3-5 days off to bond with baby , clean house and etc.

Answer

Not a nurse, but I work in a hospital.
I work 3-12s
I absolutely love it.
Love having 4 days off.

Answer

I have 3 kids and work 3  12’s. There are times that I hate it. I usually work one day with a few days off and then two in a row. The only thing is that you will start on nights and that is beyond hard with kids. I did it for a year and almost quit. I would only sleep 4 hours a day. I’ve been thinking about switching to a same day surgery center and work 5 days. Also looking for part time.

Answer

I hated working 12s inpatient because my patients were always so abusive.  The shift itself was nice. I wont do it again. If I had it my way I would work 4 8s or 10s outpatient so I can have 3 day weekends.

Answer

I prefer 3 12’s for sure!

Nurses.. what shift do you prefer??

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