Need some info about Weekend Option

TazziRN, RN · May 25, 2007

It's higher because working weekends is something that most nurses do because we have to, not because we want to.

fultzymom · May 25, 2007

It's higher because working weekends is something that most nurses do because we have to, not because we want to.

:yeahthat: Your job is the same, just all weekends!! And many nurses will love you if it cuts down on the amount of weekends they have to work. Or at least that is how it is here.

bigsyis · May 25, 2007

I've done this, at two different times in my life. You get the incentive pay because, basically, you are working when other nurses want to be off. If Church is important to you, don't do it-you'll never be able to get to Church. If doing weekend things with your spouse and children is important, don't do it. If those aren't issues, those are the biggest drawbacks I can think of. Usually you are not required to work any during the week, or, at most, one additional 12 hr shift. I loved it, except that I couldn't spend any time with my daughter and her family. They worked and went to school when I was off, and I worked while they were wanting to visit or having their recitals, soccer games, etc. Now I work 8:30-5p M-F, but I have weekends and holidays. You will never get exactly what you want in our profession, but you can come pretty close!

Ladybugleaqueen · May 25, 2007

I currently work the weekends right now I am transitioning from LPN to RN so it works great for me. The down side is not having the weekends with family they work and go to school during the week. I find the weekends are a little more relaxed at least where I work.

Megsd, BSN, RN · May 25, 2007

I'm considering doing a weekend option at some point. I like the extra incentives and the relaxed atmosphere when the big bosses are at home. My SO is a firefighter, so he works 24 hours on and 48 hours off. This winds up meaning that he works every 3rd Saturday and every 3rd Sunday, so "weekends" to us don't mean Saturday and Sunday. He technically gets a "weekend" after every duty day! When we have kids in school it might not seem as desirable, though, I'll admit.

Crux1024 · May 25, 2007

Usually the weekend program (at least at my hospital), the salary is higher because it is designed for your pay to be equal to a 40 hour pay week even though youre only working 24. Thats why the oay is higher. Also for the inconvienience for working all weekends all the time. Although here, you also only have to work 48 of 52 weekends. But you dont get merit raises either.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 25, 2007

Caution: I worked that option for about one year. I got paid for 40 hours even though I "only" worked 24. The problem was, if I was called off due to low census I only got paid the hours I actually worked. That could mean 12 hours for one week instead of 40. I would have to wrangle more hours from another shift or unit to make up the difference. It was fine while I was in school but I would not do it again.

angel337, MSN, RN · May 25, 2007

think long and hard before you commit to a weekend program, because if you value having a social life it can become discouraging at some point. i did it for 8 months and it was okay, but it got old quick because i missed alot of time with my family and even though i was off during the week, everyone else had a normal schedule, so i missed alot of family events. everyone is different. if weekends are not a big deal to you and you don't have any major obligations, i say go for it. i remember the weekends being slower than during the week and way more relaxed.

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 25, 2007

The weekend option is nice. The idea of paying you more is to make it more of an incentive not to call in. Our facility did the weekend option, and calling in meant you did not get the bonus for that weekend. You only got paid what you worked. So there were very few call ins. Now they took away the weekend option claiming it cost them too much. Now everyone is doing weekends and the call ins are insane. I work weekend nights. I sleep for a few hours friday nights, go to work. Then come home and sleep some saturday mornings and saturday evenings, go to work, sleep until about noon or 1pm and I'm able to go to sleep Sunday night with the family.

emmycRN · May 25, 2007

I just finished a year of weekend option and have decided to change to PRN. It was pretty great for the first 6 months or so, but I didn't realize how much I was going to be missing out on. The pay IS great though, so if you don't mind giving up your weekends go for it. Another plus is things are typically slower on the weekends so your job is actually a little easier, at least that was my experience. Good luck.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · May 25, 2007

i work the weekends only !!!! i work 32 and get paid for 40.. i hate working during the week and missing my jerry springer...lol