How common are 8 hr shifts?

C

Chall09

Forum Probie
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Points
0
So here I am again worried about a decision that could ultimately change the course of my life. I've just graduated college and now I feel called to be a EMT.

Basic starts on Sept 9. The question that this thread regards is 8 hr shifts. How common are they?

If I were to become an EMT, which becomes more and more likely by the day, I wish to be confident that I can undertake the position with care and diligence.

24 hr shifts are something I don't know if I could deal with. 12 hr shifts are better but I still hold my reservations.

8 hr shifts would be ideal. To me, with lives on the line, 8 hr shifts should be the norm. Regular sleep is crucial for any job, especially such a high stress related position.

Anyways....how common are 8 hr shifts is the question?

I'm suspecting I'll just have to deal with it is the common answer. Come on people, be a little creative with your answer.
 
Don't fear a 12 hour shift. It flies by pretty quick.

The best you can do is call around possible future employers and ask them what there shifts are like, no one can answer it better than they can.
 
It all depends on who you get employed with.



But truely, if you sleep is that precious, and you can't work more then 8 hour shifts, EMS is not the job for you. There are no guaranteed shifts. You can be scheduled for 8, but can be held over by dispatch and sent on a 3 hour transport.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Chall09 said:
8 hr shifts would be ideal. To me, with lives on the line, 8 hr shifts should be the norm. Regular sleep is crucial for any job, especially such a high stress related position.
Click to expand...

Almost all nursing is in 12 hour shifts now, so imagine it has been studied and proven to be safe.

There may be some IFT companies that have 8hour shifts but I dont think it is common.
 
We work 8 hour shifts, 4 on 2 off...I'm doing 16 today, but 8 of that is OTB)
 
Linuss said:
It all depends on who you get employed with.



But truely, if you sleep is that precious, and you can't work more then 8 hour shifts, EMS is not the job for you. There are no guaranteed shifts. You can be scheduled for 8, but can be held over by dispatch and sent on a 3 hour transport.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my old company made you sign something saying you agree to stay up to 2 hours over your scheduled off time and understand that you can be fired for refusing. That applied for ALL shifts. The 8s, 12s, 16s, and 24s. If you REALLY had something to do that day you could talk to dispatch and they would get you off on time if they could, but you would be crying uncle for it later that week.
 
Be creative with my answer? Chall, either 8 hour shift exist, or they don't. At my company, they don't. You can get 5 9 hour shifts a week, 4 11.5 hour shifts a week, a 3 on 4 off 3 on 4 off 12 hour shift, or a Kelly schedule 24. Those are your options.
 
We currently do 48 hours on 96 hours off.

I really think you need to rethink your career choice, because if it was a "calling" the hours would not matter as who ever was doing the calling would help you do it. So sounds to me like you read or watched how cool we in EMS are got excited and decided it was for you. Sorry EMS is not for everyone.
 
In my state, I only know of one service out 186 of them that works 8 hour shifts.

R/r 911
 
Working in EMS is not conducive to a healthy sleep schedule. My biggest hurdle when I graduated from college was balancing my professional life and sleep.

My service only offered 12 hour shifts, and while I rarely was held over, I worked many shifts at weird times of the day and night. I've worked from 7:00 am-2:00 am, and then had to be back at work again at 7:00 am. My usual shift was from 7:30 pm-7:30 am, and it was common to be asked to work a 24 hour shift. I've only worked a handful of 24 hour shifts.

My time in EMS was spent in a Type II van-type ambulance, which again isn't conducive to sleep. I slept up front when I could, and often slept on the bench seat.

If sleep is a priority in your life, I'd look for another line of work.
 
Our service does 8-hr shifts.
For me personally, 8 seems too short, 16 seems kind of long but I guess I'd get used to it over time.
But then again, we are not a busy service. I can't imagine working a truly busy service in 24 or more hour shifts.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Around my area it is mostely 10s and 12's. Almost everyone else is pulling away from 24's. Honestly, I think 8's would suck. 12's are great; not too long in my mind and, if you can handle it and your agency allows it, you can do two 12's back to back. 24's are okay too, if you are slow enough to get some sleep time. I read somewhere many years ago that the average Ambo/Fire worker actually only works (I think that means on a call) 25 minutes for every hour of a 24 hour shift. I have never actually researched that personally, but if that is true (maybe it is / maybe not) then on a 24 hour shift you are working as an EMSer 10 hours; of course that probably doesn't include the extra (non-on-a-call) stuff that is done, but that ain;t bad... as long as you get some sleep and (a rare thing in my area) have quarters and are not posting/trying to survive crammed into a van.
 
We have 1 truck that is manned 24hrs a day with three 8 hour shifts. 0600-1400, 1400-2200 (my shift), and 2200-0600. Other than that the rest come in at varying hours from 0445 to 0945 and work until done.
 
My company does 8, 9, 10 and 12s. Lots of people pick up doubles and do 16. The company almost refuses for people to work more than 16 scheduled hours straight. There are holdovers and late calls but its not too bad. I personnaly love doing the 16s. I only have to work three days a week which leaves plenty of time for time off and OT.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top