Calling all nurses - When were your hours cut back?

MuggleMomma23

12 hour night shift NICU nurse here. 23 weeks 4 days today. So far, I've had a really uneventful (and mostly) enjoyable pregnancy that I'm super grateful for. Recently, after a steady busy night, I really felt bad (unlike I ever have in this pregnancy), and I attribute it to my busy assignment (which means less fluid intake and no snack in the MOTN). I discussed this with my MFM doc and she has suggested, reduced patient load, reduced work hours and increased interval days between shifts (not working any every other night type patterns). I plan on calling my manager today to discuss this before I work again tonight, but here are my concerns/issues - (1) Overall, I still feel okay working 12 hour shifts (when given an appropriate assignment!). I want to shout, "stop giving me 4 baby assignments that leave me no time to rest or hydrate!!" (2) Even if I was ready to try 8 hour shifts, I'm nervous as to how accommodating my manager will be. 12's were mandatory a long time ago (no 8 hour nurses anymore). I would hope there would be some consideration, considering I work in a NICU for goodness sake and have a doctors note, but not counting on it. I want to work as long as possible (saving that extra money would be soooo nice with so much coming up), and I feel like with appropriate assignments that would be achieved for many weeks/months to come but I can't count on any consideration from the charge nurses giving me these assignments and that's what kills me. What's with nurses not giving their peers any consideration for situations like these?! I'm not asking for easiest assignment on the unit, just something you would expect a nurse who's having multiples to be able to handle. Frustrated. Anyway, when did you cut back your hours ladies? I appreciate any feedback/advice you might have. Dreading the call to my manager today :-/

MuggleMomma23

Thanks for the feedback ladies! Good news - I'm SO pleased to report that my manager was really great about it. Oddly effortless. For now, she said no more 4 baby assignments (she will communicate this to the charge nurses) and no more every other nights. She said if that doesn't help things, to let her know and she'll make a spot for me with 8 hour shifts! What a relief! I think it helps that another nurse she talks with often on another unit is also pregnant with twins so she gets to hear all her struggles etc. Might have made her more accommodating for me??? All I know is I'm grateful. Hope this helps with some of my struggles. I really don't want to go to 8's yet.

Lucasa2005

I'm also a charge nurse in LTC with an 16-18 pt caseload. I'm 32 weeks and have cut back to 8 days every 2 weeks. My OB would like me to stop working now but I'm attempting to make it to the end of may. My job is not accommodating at all with light duty or any assistance so I'm hanging in for now. At 30 weeks I hit a huge wall and know I've slowed down a lot. I agree with a 9 year old and 2.5 year old at home there is no rest!!!