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How many of you work split-shifts?

Posted By: mtgurl on 2008-06-14
In Reply to:

For those of you who work split-shifts, do you like it better?  Do you find yourself being more productive?  I am thinking of doing this.  After 4 hours, I just cannot make myself sit anymore.  My butt goes to sleep, I get antsy...just wondering if anyone else felt the same way?


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split shifts, yes
That definitely would help, also wrist splints, but flexible support ones help as well.
Split shifts
I used to work a split shift until recently. I just couldn't do it. I would get up at 6:00 a.m. work until 11:00 a.m. or noon with breaks in there to get my son ready for school, etc. I would do the daily household stuff that goes along with raising a family and then return to work by 8:00 p.m. and work until 11:00 p.m. I am not much of a night owl so I found it particularly hard to concentrate that late at night especially if it had been a particularly difficult day around here.

I have just recently switched to doing my work all at once and love it. I find myself much more productive and able to concentrate better as opposed to previously. My kids love it because it doesn't seem like mommy is always working to them any longer.

I say if you feel that you are more productive at night and able to stay awake then go for it. It may work for you.
if it is feasable, split that 6-hour shift into two 3-hour shifts. sm
i work a split shift and find that i am much better able to stay focused and get more work done that way. also, being 3 months pregnant you have gone through the very tiring time of pregnancy and you should start seeing an energy perk before long.
I work 4 ten-hour shifts...

Sat thru Tues. My DH is on a rotating 12-hour 3 on/4 off shift and we have at least 2 days off together. I love it; I start at 4 am but I am done at 230 and have all day to do what I want and rarely run out of work.


Forced to work scheduled shifts..no flexibilty..what gives??? So frustrated.

I started MT two years ago for a medical clinic of about 100 doctors.  I am now working at home.  I get paid hourly 10.50/hour.  My employer will NOT let us work flexible shifts.  I have to work a standard 8 hour shift with a one-hour lunch break that is unpaid. 


I got into this field because I wanted to work from home and have FLEXIBILITY.  I have a toddler under the age of 4 and when I interviewed and shared my reasons for wanting to work at home (my children) I was told I was a "great fit" and then I get in my home and am told there is ZERO flexibiity and I have to work 8 hours straight just like in-house people!  This is extremely stressful for me having a small child and I don't make enough money to afford daycare. 


I started working with Medquist part-time for extra money and AGAIN I was told I would have to work a set shift, with no flexibility. 


Where are the jobs that you guys have where I can work my own hours?  Sitting here typing 8 hours straight everyday with a demanding toddler is starting to wear on me, but I need this job badly. 


What gives? I thought the nature of working at home with MT is flexiblity and every job I've applied for in MT has given me NONE. 


 


 


I work four 8 hr shifts, home based for hospital.. hourly plus incentive.
sfg
I work a split. I get up before everyone else in the house
and work for two hours until it's time to take the kids to school.  I take off an hour to run kids and shower, then I'm back to work for three hours.  I take a half-hour lunch, and I'm right back at it for another two or three hours until I have to pick up the kids again.  I love it.  I'm done working by the time they're out of school, and the computer is turned off for the night.  No more late nights or working until 6:00 p.m.  I'm way more productive in short spurts.
There are many nationals that let you work split. sm
I'm an employee and I for one work 8 hours in a 24-hour period. No set time.
i work split, employee. nm
;
IC - work split shift. nm
v
I usually work a split shift on Sundays
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (there really isn't much to do during that time), then I log back in after 9 p.m. when I get my son in bed and will usually work for 3 or 4 hours. I am usually busy then because the docs are all dictating their pre-surgical H&Ps for Monday morning surgeries. I'm on the East Coast and my hospital is on the West Coast, so it works out good that way.
I will occasionally log in on Saturday afternoons too, but work is slim to none then, so I usually don't bother.
IC work split 7am-noon then 10-1am ... my choice nm

nm


I work a split shift just for this very reason.
After about 6 hours, I am toast. Now I work 2 4's with a 4-hour break in between. I always come back to work so refreshed, and it has really helped my productivity.
Split shift MTs---what hours do you work? sm

I'm trying to revamp my schedule around transporting kids.  Would be interested to know what works for you.  Thanks! 


Do any of you work a split shift? Are you employee status or IC? Thanks!-nm

Split? I bought old IBM off ebay but not split.
..
Split keyboard mounted on chair arms versus split keyboard on desk

For longtime comfort which is best - split keyboard mounted on chair arms or split keyboard to be used on the desk?


Also, why the preference over split keyboards that come totally apart versus split keyboards that are permanently connected at the top?


I want to revamp my office and there are so many different options.


They know we don't want those shifts unless the pay is
Which in turn gives the MTSO an 'excuse' to offshore more and more of their work.
Webmedx shifts

Is it set in stone that you have to work a weekend day with Webmedx?  Is there any way around that?


 


What are the typical hours for 1st, 2nd, 3rd shifts ... sm
or are they different with every company?  What is the difference in pay for 2nd and 3rd shifts?  TIA
what exact hours constitute 2nd and 3rd shifts? nm

Not stay at home, but opposite shifts. My advice:

Make sure you always say thank you.  It's a MUST for a man.  My husband and I decided to work different shifts years ago so that the kids wouldn't have to go to daycare.  Now I'm at home, but he still works 3rd shift for the same company that he's been with for 7 years because he likes it.


I've always thanked him.  I'd get home from work and he'd have dinner cooking and I'd say, "I"m so lucky to have you!"  And even if I didn't care for the dinner choice, I'd shut up and eat it. :)


Even just little things now, like if he washes the dishes or vacuums because he knows I'm on a deadline, I'll always say, "Thank you for doing that, you're such a big help."


Trust me, boost the old ego and those pots and pans won't sit in the sink. Complain one time that he missed a spot and you'll be scrubbing the broiler pan.


Disagree...ESLs tend to dictate graveyard shifts....nm

I agree with splitting shifts to get more rest, etc. I just had a baby and my line count went down
for the first trimester, peaked for the second, then back down for the third.  My only advice is PLAN for that drop in the third trimester by working when you can in the second, then if the drop doesn't happen, great, you're ahead of the game.  I ended up on bedrest and in the hospital, so take care of yourself and I know it's hard, but hopefully the bills will not put too much pressure on you. 
You get more working the evening or night shifts and working w/o benefits. And producing like a mad
,
anyone know what the split was?
I'd love to know what the split was--anyone know?  It was so close last week between the 3 of them. 
Not to split hairs....
but in order to be a satanic person, you have to worship or even believe in satan first.  I don't know a huge amount about world religions but I do know that satan is largely a christianity religion figure and that most other religions don't believe in such an entity let alone worship one.  I guess my comment is a piece of the discussion best left for a religions board, so I just had that thought and I will leave it alone
I never use my mouse with DQS unless I split a job
x
been split for years

I start about an hour after I wake up, which can be any time in the middle of the night, and put in about 2-3 hours. I usually go back to sleep between 7 and 6:30 a.m. I get up again when my body tells me to, and then I'm back to work between 11 a.m. and noon. I'll work until 4 and 5 p.m.

A "regular day" (two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch) is way too hard on me. Been doing the split for years.


I have to split or I'd run out of steam.
Early a.m. 6:00 to 10 for starters and then, depending on what I've got going on or what is going on with the kids, either noon to 3:00 or at night after supper.  Love the flexibility.
split shift
split shifts are great!  you will do much, much better if you split your 8 hours up by 4 and 4.  Early in the day and then late evening are usually the best. 
split keyboard

Go to www.datavisionergonomics.com.  They have several different styles of keyboards.  I personally have one just like the Maxim keyboard, which is just like the keyboard has been chopped in half right down the center.  I've used mine for ten years and it's getting old and needs to be replaced.  When I bought mine ten years ago, it was over $400.00.  You can buy one now for under $$150.00.  Here's how it works:


I sit in my chair with my arms at my sides, and each half of the keyboard is directly in front of each arm.  I can put my schedules, an 8.5 x 11 in. paper, in-between the two halves of the keyboard!  That's how far apart the two halves are, and there is no strain on my wrists, shoulders, arms, or neck.  When I try to use my husband's keyboard now, a regular keyboard, I can't even type my name! 


It'll take you 1-2 days to get used to this style of keyboard, but take my word for it, you will love it and never want to go back to the traditional keyboards or even the so-called "split" ones that are still all in one unit, but have the right and left hands a little farther away from each other. 


Another thing, I (like you) use my left thumb space bar as the back space.  My right thumb, as usual, hits the forward space.  I never have to use my right pinky to go way up and hit the original back space key.  Hmm...maybe Maxim will give me a free keyboard if I refer enough MTs to them.    Let me know if you have any other questions.  Have a fun day!


Where can I get one of the split keyboards
I would love to have one, but the only ones I've seen are very expensive.
Employee - Split 9-1 and 9 p.m.-1 a.m. NM
NM
Split shift

Employee;  afternoon and late night/early morning split shift.


Getting used to split keyboard
Go to the notions department and get Velcro dots.  Put them on the home row keys.   After about 2 or 3 days you will become accustomed to where the keys are and can take the dots off.  Be careful when removing them because they are on there very strong...you don't want to pull of the keycap. 
Best split keyboard?
Any recommendations?
Not sure what you mean by a split keyboard

I tried a split keyboard once . . .
When I worked in-house an orthopedic doc brought in a split keyboard for each of us to try. Within 45 minutes of use, my left arm went from tingling to numb to cold. No one else had that problem. Since then, I have tried one for a few minutes and started having problems again. Maybe I'm just deformed!
Do you have the one that is split once in the middle or (sm)
Thanks for answering. Do you have the one split once in the middle or the one that is split in 3 pieces?
Split keyboard -- Help! ...

I recently began using an ergonomic split keyboard. I hated the first ergo boards that came out (where your hands were almost facing each other when you typed.  However, these new split keyboards are so comfortable to use and I completely adapted to it after two days...EXCEPT for the '6' key. They put the '6' on the left side of the keyboard instead of the right. This means I would have to retrain myself to type it with the left index finger rather than the right one.  This would be no easier than moving the 'r' key over to the right side of the keyboard and trying to retrain my brain to hit it with the right hand.  It also is difficult to  feel or see the error when it pertains to a number. 


If anyone has any advice or information as to where I could find a split keyboard with the 1-2-3-4-5 on the left and 6-7-8-9-0 on the right, I would owe you big time!  


split shift
I work Sun-Thu 6A-10A, 6P-10P. This works really well for me, as I could not sit at a computer for 8 hours straight, and I have Fri and Sat off to spend time with my kids.
split shift
I work M, T, W, & F 8:00-12:30 and 2:30-7:00 (9-hour days).  I, too, find it hard to sit for a complete 8- to 9-hour shift and enjoy the split.
Split shift
My kids are all in school, so I work M, Tu and W 12 noon - 3:30 p.m. and then 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., Thu 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. and Sun 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.  This works real good for me.  I'm part time.
split shift
10a-2p and 7p-11p

works well to give me time in the morning to get my child off to school and a few things done, same when the bus comes. my child is a little older so the 7p is just a couple hours before bedtime and I take a break for bedtime. I love my split.
split keyboard
I love mine--it wasn't hard to adjust to--and once you get used to it--you will see how much more natural and less "cramped" your arms and hands are in this position.  What can be a challenge is trying to type on the standard keyboard after getting used to the ergonomic...you won't want to go back
I was not able to split it completely apart as there is a cable...sm
that holds the 2 halves together. It did enable me to move the 2 pieces further apart and keep them straight rather than at an angle so to speak. I loved the feel of the Kinesis in that the keys were right where I wanted them and this was the closest I could get. I can't remember exactly how I broke it apart but I believe it involved some kind of cutter my husband had and I just kept working on that ball joint until it had broken it apart and voila! Not too pretty but more functional for me!
It sounds like you and BF have discussed a split up.

At least that's what I think I read below in one of the posts.


The economy of our country is in the toilet right now.  Very few things are secure.  Times are tough and fixing to get tougher.  If there is any way you can slow down, get your bearings, get into a halfway secure position --- your mental health will be better.


You need your mental health in order to be there for your kids.


Have you considered moving the "molehill" instead of the "mountain"?


If the BF has already been approached about the split, what is his position on HIM MOVING out and not you and the kids?  That would be lots less destructive for them.


Also, I wouldn't count on any PT transcription job anywhere right now.  Trust me on this.  This job type is so fluid right now - it's a circus.


I wouldn't move from square one until I got the FT at the hospital.  DON'T MOVE UNTIL YOU FIGURE OUT IF YOU CAN GET THAT JOB.  Then get into it, see what you have to work with.


Secondly, I would not leave myself dependent on the BF for anything but money, and then the courts can get it for you if he decides he doesn't like this, gets a new honey, or gets a "wild hair" and decides to leave the country.


Don't depend on him for babysitting, don't "be nice" and try to share the babysitting.  DON'T DO IT.  Get yourself positioned so you are calling all your shots. 


I know MT looks good on paper when they are selling you an idea of working from home and STAYING WITH YOUR KIDS, but it doesn't work.  The mom ends up the zombie and life becomes like the twilight zone.  I know.  I tried it.  You need to get at the hospital, get daycare, get your childsupport coming in, .........and then think about moving or even buying.  In fact, if you wait, the housing prices are expected to fall even more.  There was an article in our paper about it again yesterday.  Hold off.  If you rent, if the plumbing goes, if the A/C or heater goes......the landlord is responsible.


I don't know if this will give you some things to consider but I hope so.  I raised my kids by myself (of course it was different times but the men were the same, ugh!) and at some times I didn't seem them for having to work so many hours.  I wish now I had just gotten me a State worker job, 8-5, insurance, retirement, gotten a little house even if I had gotten on a program where it was federally assisted, and gone that route.  We could have been together as a family, I wouldn't be doing this horrible life I have now with trying to still work at 60 years old with no place to live.


Think about the future - it's right around the corner.  The kids will be gone and trust me, they won't look back even if they love you lots.  They will be BUSY and you will be an afterthought.  All things in moderation.


First thing - DON'T MOVE, let him move. 


Second thing - WAIT FOR THE FT JOB.


Third thing - Be getting that child support coming in.


I wish you the best. 


p.s. Even if you decide you just have to move and rent even a 2-BEDROOM...it can certainly be done.  My ggg grandparents raised 13 kids in a 2 bedroom old farm house.  Kids slept all over the place!    You and the older kid could share if it's a girl/or if a boy, let him share a bedroom with one of the little ones, and you put the other little one in your room and make a game of it - they will all pitch in and later you all will have "war stories" to talk about when everbody is grown up. 


Definitely split. I'm working on 10 hours right now,
not because I want to, I have to.  I have to leave town in the morning for the day so I need to finish my stuff that is due tomorrow afternoon tonight.  My wrists are really tired. They don't bother me when I split it up.  Only 20 more patients. I guess I best get back at it.  Short and sweet notes though. I did the long stuff first.
Split shift helped me a LOT! Was
getting very painful to type eight hours straight.  It has helped to the point where I barely realize any pain anymore.  Also, I can seem to go "great guns" the first hour or two of my shift, and then slow down some after that. This way, with split shift, I have two sets of "two hours" of gungho, at least as gungho as I can get...LOL. 
I have a Goldtouch and love it! You can split it sm
to whatever angle you want, and also "tent" it up.  I used to use the Microsoft Natural and loved it, but this is even better!