why so many 12 hour shifts?

So I have about a week left of winter break, and was just looking at jobs at a hospital. And for registered nurses, they had only 12 hour shifts - and many of them.

Then there were available for registered nurse II (it wrote the II means must have 2 years experience) for the 8 hour shifts.

What is the reasoning for the 12 hour shift preference with many hospitals? Don't the accident rates go up? Do nurses prefer 12 hour shifts?
Many employers like the advantages of continuity of coverage afforded by 12 hour shifts while taking advantage of the employee by not paying overtime for hours above eight in one workday. There are ways to get around the overtime pay even in states that dictate overtime after eight hours. Employers take advantage of this as much as possible.

I just went from 8 hour shifts to 12. Personally I love it!!! 5 8 hour overnight shifts are a DRAG!

I'd much rather work three 12s than five 8s.

Thanks for the answers! I'm just a student and no plans or anything but I keep wondering: how do you have a family? I mean I get it that a job in health care will have mandatory overtime hours, weekends, holidays but how do you guys manage a family?

Quote from direw0lfThanks for the answers! I'm just a student and no plans or anything but I keep wondering: how do you have a family? I mean I get it that a job in health care will have mandatory overtime hours, weekends, holidays but how do you guys manage a family?

Quote from direw0lfThanks for the answers! I'm just a student and no plans or anything but I keep wondering: how do you have a family? I mean I get it that a job in health care will have mandatory overtime hours, weekends, holidays but how do you guys manage a family?

Just 2 nurses covering a 24 hour period is more economical as the facility doesn't have to pay out benefits for 3 nurses in the same period. The facility saves on health care benefits, vacation time, sick time, etc.And I would believe it's just easier to just plug in 2 bodies rather than 3 for the same time period - makes staffing/scheduling easier.

I've done 5 day, 8 hour days. It is nice because I'm on the same school schedule as my kids. However, I am excited to work 3 twelves because that means more time with my kids, more weekdays off to get things done like dr appts, teacher conferences, shopping, etc. I can do weekends and then pay less daycare for my littles. It really is an advantage for me!BSN 2014