Many people wonder what type of shifts nurses work. Do all nurses work hour shifts? This is one of the great things about the nursing profession. This career offers a wide variety of work schedules. Leave room for trouble falling asleep or traffic in the morning?
You know that hour shifts work because nurses do them every day, but how exactly do they work? How do they impact your life, your family and your schedule? What is expected of you? What options do you have? Every nurse wonders the same things as they weigh the pros and cons of working hour shifts. Monday: Seven a. As the night nurses give you a report and check out, you settle in for the morning rush. About four hours in, you get a minute break, but one of your patients needs another dose of pain medication, so you cut it short.
For your last minute break, you sit still in a dark room, sip a cup of coffee and catch your breath. Seven p. Wednesday: Some nurses like to stack their shifts three in a row and have the next four days off, but you start to feel worn out after two and schedule your shifts apart. Thursday: Another day off. Watch a movie in the middle of the day, go to the DMV, cook yourself an outrageous dinner.
Enjoy this time because at seven p. Friday: While most nurses stick to either all days or all nights, some work a rotating schedule. This can be difficult on your sleep patterns, but it also can be helpful to get to know both sides of the clock. Depending on the employer, you may receive a shift differential pay bump for working night shifts, as well. Most hospitals require nurses to work a certain number of weekends a month.
You packed your lunch and washed your scrubs. An eight-hour work day is the modern ideay of a full work day. Here are some advantages of nursing schedules with five eight-hour shifts:. You may get the opportunity to work as a PRN or as needed nurse which comes along with some of the following benefits such as:. Having a workday that comprises most of your waking hours obviously will have some set backs.
Some of the challenges of working three hour shifts per week include:. The idea of a four-day work week in lieu of the traditional five may sound ideal in some regards, at least to some, but it too has its setbacks. Working four hour shifts may present the following disadvantages:. The idea of a five-day work week full of eight-hour days is pretty traditional at this point for most industries. Here are some of the drawbacks of working five eight-hour shifts:. Here are the challenges associated with working as a PRN nurse:.
Find jobs. Company reviews. Find salaries. Upload your resume. Sign in. Finding a Job. What is a typical nurse schedule? Three hour shifts per week: This schedule is common for nurses who work in hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health care facilities that serve patients 24 hours a day. Four hour shifts per week: This is a less common schedule that may occur in hospitals, private practices and medical clinics.
Five eight-hour shifts per week: This traditional workweek schedule is common in schools, private practices and medical clinics. Nurses who work long shifts are more prone to anxiety and depression. Constant exhaustion. This is especially prevalent for nurses who not only work hour shifts but work hour shifts that rotate to include daylight, afternoon, and overnight rotations.
Working hour shifts is challenging enough without tossing this factor into the mix. It can leave your body feeling like it is in a constant state of playing catch-up as it fights to adapt. Only you can decide if working hour shifts is in your best interest.
If you choose a nursing position that requires it, here are some tips for surviving their hectic pace without losing your cool. Eat right. You are nurses, so the value of consuming a well-balanced diet is not lost on you. Still, it can be easier to preach it than practice it, especially when busy.
Make sure you get enough fruits and veggies and add a little extra protein to each meal to help you feel fuller longer. Practice mindfulness. Deep breathing works wonders for stress and anxiety. When nurses practice mindfulness, they learn to recognize when they are becoming overwhelmed and can use techniques to help maintain a sense of calm.
Take your scheduled breaks.
0コメント