I have been watching the job market in northern California for the last couple of years. I am finally free to apply for jobs and to plan for my relocation. I have acute care experience in med/surg, so no new grad woes.
I am happy to see that there are more than just per diem positions available, but what is the thinking with all the part time jobs? It looks like there are more 8 hour x 4 shifts a week than I recall seeing before the economy tanked. Are more hospitals moving back to 8 hour shifts? Is it to avoid overtime? Are nurses actually picking up a 5th shift every other week or so anyway?
What I fear with 8 hour shifts is being asked to stay over and ending up working 16 hours. In an emergency it's one thing, to have it asked of staff regularly defeats the whole idea of 8 hours is safer than 12.