14 Hour Days, how do you do it?

[usi]

---

Members don't see this ad.

OK,
I think after five 14hr days straight, it would be very difficult to be the best pharmacist you can be.
I understand we are all different and have (or not) different limitations.
So...
Tell me how do you do it...(or not do it)

 

[Doctor M]

I for one do not do 14 hrs for 5 days in a row. I will do sunday from 7a-7p, mon 7a-5p, tues 7a-5p, off wed, thurs 7a-7p, off friday, sat 7a-7p. That is 56 hrs and that day in between gives me time to sleep in and run errands or just veg out. I have worked 5 to 6 days in a row, but it sucks and dont do it very often. I do around 56-60 hrs per week. Sometimes I take long weekdends off 3-4 days as vacation only after working 40+ hours that week. That way, no vacation hrs used😀

 

[Requiem]

I for one do not do 14 hrs for 5 days in a row. I will do sunday from 7a-7p, mon 7a-5p, tues 7a-5p, off wed, thurs 7a-7p, off friday, sat 7a-7p. That is 56 hrs and that day in between gives me time to sleep in and run errands or just veg out. I have worked 5 to 6 days in a row, but it sucks and dont do it very often. I do around 56-60 hrs per week. Sometimes I take long weekdends off 3-4 days as vacation only after working 40+ hours that week. That way, no vacation hrs used😀

Do you exercise much?

 

[tussionex]

i usually do a few 12's in a row, but not often.
usually it's a 14 here or there in an 11-12 day stretch. the longest ever for me was 16 days with 2 double shifts.

i'm not sure how i do it. the biggest problem for me is boredom; it's so tedious going to the same place every day for 16 days. the continuity of care that i can offer is nice, though.

 

[Doctor M]

Do you exercise much?

Why do you ask? Because I work dont work the standard 40 hr work week? Excercise may take anywhere between 30 mins to 1 hr. I may not excercise like I did in high school, but I get my time in. I am actually starting up tennis today. Cant wait. 🙂

 

[Doctor M]

Going now to play tennis...😀

 

[Requiem]

Why do you ask? Because I work dont work the standard 40 hr work week? Excercise may take anywhere between 30 mins to 1 hr. I may not excercise like I did in high school, but I get my time in. I am actually starting up tennis today. Cant wait. 🙂

Cool, I was just seeing if you found it manageable with that schedule.

 

[Doctor M]

Cool, I was just seeing if you found it manageable with that schedule.

Its tough. But anything is doable. As soon as I graduated pharmacy school, I packed on some weight. My own damn fault. Excercise, especially tennis, seems to sooth my mind. I will do tennis at least 3 times per week for 1 hr. Weight lifting perhaps twice a week. Tommorrow, i will go to the gym after work for at least 45 minutes.

 

[Doctor M]

A little update, played tennis for 35 minutes in 95 degree heat and then I heard the thunder! Its damn hot out there😱

 

[KellyBean]

So it didn't even last for an hour...😀

 

[Doctor M]

So it didn't even last for an hour...😀

haha, too hot. Will have to play later in the day. I use to play in college and was well conditioned. after 3 years of no tennis and only the moderate exercise, i am in no condition to be in almost 100 degree weather running around. I figure i'll "titrate" myself up to 2 hrs over a few weeks🙂

 

[KellyBean]

I'm gonna start playing tennis next week too for what is left of this summer. I haven't played in so many years that I don't know if I can even hold the racket correctly, but I've been playing the WII, so I think I should be fine 😀

 

[MountainPharmD]

I would not do it. I think 12 hours is pushing it.

 

[Doctor M]

I'm gonna start playing tennis next week too for what is left of this summer. I haven't played in so many years that I don't know if I can even hold the racket correctly, but I've been playing the WII, so I think I should be fine 😀

haha, it'll all come back to you! Muscle memory! tennis is such a great sport. I wanna get out and pkay more but i dont wanna keel over lol. MOuntain, yeah, 12 hours is pushing it. 14 hours is ridiculous. those pharmacies that are open 8 am to 10 pm really suck. I transferred to a 24 hr store and its much better!

 

[12345]

Do you exercise much?

good question, I am really into lifting weights and all around fitness. I imagine it takes about 2 hours out of my day to workout, 60 minutes at gym and the other time commuting and getting ready. I can't see myself having time or the energy to do that after a 14 hour day, or even a 12 hour day.

 

[Doctor M]

good question, I am really into lifting weights and all around fitness. I imagine it takes about 2 hours out of my day to workout, 60 minutes at gym and the other time commuting and getting ready. I can't see myself having time or the energy to do that after a 14 hour day, or even a 12 hour day.

The nice thing about this profession is that you do have options. with CVS its almost a given that you will work 12 to 14 hour shifts. But as a PIC, one can make the schedule however one wishes. My partner and I would rather work the long shifts and have a few days off. I just happen to pick up sundays for the overtime. My partner works 2 twelve hr shifts and 2 eight hour shifts. Walgreens, you will work 5 eight hour shifts. There are no long shifts. Anyway, yes, 12 hr shifts are tiring and there is no way in hell i am doing anything after a 14 hr shift. Sometimes scheduling will call me to cover a shift after my 10 hr shift on monday and I "kindly" tell them to bug off😀. Its just not worth it at all.

 

[usi]

Thank you Doctor M, and MountainPharmD for you insight.
I feel I would not be at my best after 10 hours. I think the chance for making errors would go up with those long days.
I am interning for CVS and I like it there, but I am a bit dissapointed with the long hours 🙁, and I am afraid unless I can work no more than 10 hours/day I would have to look for something in another retail place.

 

[ZpackSux]

Going now to play tennis...😀

That's Ghey!

 

[ZpackSux]

A little update, played tennis for 35 minutes in 95 degree heat and then I heard the thunder! Its damn hot out there😱

Wuss...might as well pick up indoor Badminton!!

 

[Doctor M]

Wuss...might as well pick up indoor Badminton!!

Is that all you got😴?

 

[Doctor M]

Wuss...might as well pick up indoor Badminton!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfwqSBWDW_A

shouldnt mock badminton

 

[ZpackSux]

Is that all you got😴?

uhhh... yeah. That's about all I gots!

 

[ZpackSux]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfwqSBWDW_A

shouldnt mock badminton

Or Ping Pong!

 

[Doctor M]

Or Ping Pong!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrp-FT51zPE

Looks like good excercise and skill to me😉

 

[ZpackSux]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrp-FT51zPE

Looks like good excercise and skill to me😉

Those guys have nothing on Forrest Gump. I say you should take up full contact Origami....

 

[Doctor M]

Those guys have nothing on Forrest Gump. I say you should take up full contact Origami....

i dont know, may need to do some finger (hand) excercises! I want to be the fastest origamist in the world... Seriously, no 14 hour shifts for me. Now I must leave as I am dining with the lady in a few (salad and chicken for me!)

 

[ZpackSux]

i dont know, may need to do some finger (hand) excercises! I want to be the fastest origamist in the world... Seriously, no 14 hour shifts for me. Now I must leave as I am dining with the lady in a few (salad and chicken for me!)

Oh boy... salad and chicken...

 

[usi]

Yall are all over the place.
Nobody gives straight answers anymore,
A lot of the posts are going totally off topic,
You are all constantly trying to outdo each other with jokes
(OK, some are pretty funny, I give you that,)
But... the only thing is missing is
somebody telling me to go do a search!😴😴😴

 

[ZpackSux]

Use the search function.

 

[ZpackSux]

Yall are all over the place.
Nobody gives straight answers anymore,
A lot of the posts are going totally off topic,
You are all constantly trying to outdo each other with jokes
(OK, some are pretty funny, I give you that,)
But... the only thing is missing is
somebody telling me to go do a search!😴😴😴

And if you live your life expecting straight answers, you'll be thoroughly disappointed. Frankly, a question of "how do you work 14 hour shift?" doesn't deserve a straight answer. Wait.. here is a straight answer.

Suck it up and do it if you have to. 😎

 

[Doctor M]

Yall are all over the place.
Nobody gives straight answers anymore,
A lot of the posts are going totally off topic,
You are all constantly trying to outdo each other with jokes
(OK, some are pretty funny, I give you that,)
But... the only thing is missing is
somebody telling me to go do a search!😴😴😴

Look, nobody wants to do 14 hr shifts but if you gotta do it, well, then do it. There have been times when my relief never showed and I wound up doing a 16 hr shift only to return 6 hrs later to open the store back up. It sucks and as the PIC it was my problem. My patients start early and I knew I had to open since we are 24 hrs. Now, doing 5 fourteen hour shifts in a row? I would be a bit cranky and high off the caffeine. As for giving straight answers, I do my best, but in reality I dont have the answer. Like Zpak said, if you gotta do it, suck it up and just do it. Good luck!! By the way, The salad was good (chicken cesear) but the service sucked!

 

[usi]

And if you live your life expecting straight answers, you'll be thoroughly disappointed. Frankly, a question of "how do you work 14 hour shift?" doesn't deserve a straight answer. Wait.. here is a straight answer.

Suck it up and do it if you have to. 😎

Harsh!

You forgot to add...
then take it out on whoever asks you about it on SDN!

 

[Doctor M]

Harsh!

You forgot to add...
then take it out on whoever asks you about it on SDN!

Dont sweat it! Work a busy store and the time will fly by! I notice u are in st pete! I work in st pete!

 

[ZpackSux]

Look, nobody wants to do 14 hr shifts but if you gotta do it, well, then do it. There have been times when my relief never showed and I wound up doing a 16 hr shift only to return 6 hrs later to open the store back up. It sucks and as the PIC it was my problem. My patients start early and I knew I had to open since we are 24 hrs. Now, doing 5 fourteen hour shifts in a row? I would be a bit cranky and high off the caffeine. As for giving straight answers, I do my best, but in reality I dont have the answer. Like Zpak said, if you gotta do it, suck it up and just do it. Good luck!! By the way, The salad was good (chicken cesear) but the service sucked!

You like anchovy paste??

 

[ZpackSux]

The salad was good (chicken cesear) but the service sucked!

Wait a min... didn't you say you were having dinner with a Lady friend? So...why are you posting? I mean...at least I have an excuse...I'm traveling..ate alone...now stuck in a hotel room bored out of my mind needing to run some analysis... There you are.."Tennis anyone.." "dinner with lady friend..." "Anchovy salad..." what a freaking charmed life.

 

[Doctor M]

Wait a min... didn't you say you were having dinner with a Lady friend? So...why are you posting? I mean...at least I have an excuse...I'm traveling..ate alone...now stuck in a hotel room bored out of my mind needing to run some analysis... There you are.."Tennis anyone.." "dinner with lady friend..." "Anchovy salad..." what a freaking charmed life.

hahahaha, dinner was only an hour! I cant get away from this damn forum... i off for some cricket...

 

[ZpackSux]

hahahaha, dinner was only an hour! I cant get away from this damn forum... i off for some cricket...

I've been to Clearwater a few times on business. I have some pharmacist buddies in the area...they took me to this monster or gorilla buffet..all you can eat sushi place. Man..that place rocks!!!

I actually love the area. We thought about moving there.

 

[Doctor M]

I've been to Clearwater a few times on business. I have some pharmacist buddies in the area...they took me to this monster or gorilla buffet..all you can eat sushi place. Man..that place rocks!!!

I actually love the area. We thought about moving there.

I love clearwater. Bought my first house here like 3 months ago! It beats the upstateNew york winters! Were your pharmacy buddies in hopsital? by the way, to stay on topic, i hate 14 hour shifts!

 

[ZpackSux]

I love clearwater. Bought my first house here like 3 months ago! It beats the upstateNew york winters! Were your pharmacy buddies in hopsital? by the way, to stay on topic, i hate 14 hour shifts!

ehh...I was just in Upstate NY... I don't think I would like it there. My buddies are in home infusion... I've never done 14 hour shift..did 12 and 16.. but never 14. Give me 12..or 16..but not 14 hours.. that's just not right..it would take me out of my circadian ..

 

[Doctor M]

ehh...I was just in Upstate NY... I don't think I would like it there. My buddies are in home infusion... I've never done 14 hour shift..did 12 and 16.. but never 14. Give me 12..or 16..but not 14 hours.. that's just not right..it would take me out of my circadian ..

The winters are cold and gloomy, it was so depressing! But the real estate is much cheaper than down here in clearwater! I bought anyways instead of forking out a grand on rent! Anyway, in order to work those long hours its merely a mindset. I just know I have to be there all day so might as well justmake the best of it!

 

[usi]

ehh...I was just in Upstate NY... I don't think I would like it there. My buddies are in home infusion... I've never done 14 hour shift..did 12 and 16.. but never 14. Give me 12..or 16..but not 14 hours.. that's just not right..it would take me out of my circadian ..

I am going Upstate NY to visit friends next month.
Love the summer.
Winters are killers!

 

[usi]

Dont sweat it! Work a busy store and the time will fly by! I notice u are in st pete! I work in st pete!

Busy store I prefer, it does pass the time.
14 hrs I can do if they are spaced out.
No more than 3 in a row if I can avoid it...

 

[StringTheorist]

what shoes would you recommend for those 12 hour all-standing shifts? (please, no crocs *crosses fingers*)

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

what shoes would you recommend for those 12 hour all-standing shifts? (please, no crocs *crosses fingers*)

I work 12 hour shifts all the time as a cook at a pizza joint. 9-9. I wear regular Nike running shoes. If you are looking for a specific comfort, you can buy any shoe and then go buy a special padded sole to put in the shoe.

 

[rxlynn]

good question, I am really into lifting weights and all around fitness. I imagine it takes about 2 hours out of my day to workout, 60 minutes at gym and the other time commuting and getting ready. I can't see myself having time or the energy to do that after a 14 hour day, or even a 12 hour day.

Other events in your life may affect that eventually anyway. With a family and two kids plus job, there is NO WAY that I could spend that much time every day working out, unless I just wanted to leave the kids in childcare all day.

 

[rxlynn]

Thank you Doctor M, and MountainPharmD for you insight.
I feel I would not be at my best after 10 hours. I think the chance for making errors would go up with those long days.
I am interning for CVS and I like it there, but I am a bit dissapointed with the long hours 🙁, and I am afraid unless I can work no more than 10 hours/day I would have to look for something in another retail place.

I am also having some second thoughts about that issue with CVS. I have quite a few years with the company already, and I would like to stay with them once I graduate but I am very concerned about the hours issue. I talked to a pharmacist at a grocery store not too long ago - hours were 9-7 6 days a week and closed on Sunday. That would never happen at a CVS.