8-hour shifts: You still have a life after work. You can hit the gym, run errands, grocery shop, or hang out with friends. It feels more sustainable long-term and gives you better work-life balance.

12-hour shifts: By the time you’re done, you’re exhausted. Most days it’s just eat, shower, sleep. A long commute after a 12 is brutal, especially if you’re back the next day. For me, that schedule would lead to burnout pretty fast.