Not exactly full time, 0.9, but how should I schedule myself?

[winter_green]

i'm starting my new job soon and i have to decide today if i want to do 0.9 or full time working nights 8 hour shifts. if doing full time, it will be 5 nights/week but if 0.9 it will be 4 nights one week, 5 nights the next week. if i choose to do full time, i will also qualify for relocation assistance which will help me alot considering it is a good chuck of money.

however, i'm leading towards 0.9 only because i'm thinking i will need that extra night off. however i'm wondering if that extra night off will make a difference and if it's really worth it.... and how i would schedule myself being 0.9 to make the most of my days off....any ideas? i usually like my days off in a row if possible.

i have to work every other weekend. i'm trying to write out my "schedule" just to get an idea but for some weeks i will have to work 7 nights straight to get a 3 day block off. any one familiar with 0.9, and 8 hour shifts scheduling that may be able to give some better insight on how to schedule myself so i can still have a block of time off?

for example, i don't think i can hold up the 2nd to 3rd week:

sun mon tues wed thurs fri sat

1 2 3 4 5 off off

1 2 off off off 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 off off

1 2 off off off 3 4

so i'm wondering, if the 3rd extra night worth it? if so, what is the best schedule? (we do self scheduling there) or is it better to just go full time and get the relocation bonus - one year commitment to full time?

[LaneyB]

I would totally do the .9!

[GeneralJinjur]

I switched to 0.8 from full time a few months ago. I don't regret having less required work time and I have been able to pick up shifts if I felt like I needed more money. Plus, picking up a 5th day is way easier than picking up a 6th and working too many days in a row. As long as you can afford to live on the 0.9, I would go for it.

[brownbook]

Generaljinjur is brilliant. Laney B is correct also. Do point 9 or even point 8 and you can pick up extra shifts if needed. It is very hard to do full time night shift.

[chorkle]

Sounds as if there might be some missing info--not that, in this case, it's likely to make a difference.

Used to be, 3 12's was considered FT for benefits (E.D., Texas hosp.), altho it was clearly a 0.9 FTE.

Lately, I see hospitals posting a part time position (= no benefits, or not fully paid), with a schedule of 5 8's this week, & 4 8's next week. This smacks of a FT situation intentionally manipulated into a 0.9 PT job, so as to avoid paying (or fully funding) benefits. It's really a FT job; it's just been massaged into what looks like PT, as a means of 'controlling costs.'

[tcvnurse, BSN, RN]

Believe me, it is MUCH easier to do three 12 hr shifts in a row, than to work 5 11-7 shifts/week. The extra day off is way better for your life/sleep schedule.

At my hospital .9 IS a full time job.

[newway]

Sounds as if there might be some missing info--not that, in this case, it's likely to make a difference.

Used to be, 3 12's was considered FT for benefits (E.D., Texas hosp.), altho it was clearly a 0.9 FTE.

Lately, I see hospitals posting a part time position (= no benefits, or not fully paid), with a schedule of 5 8's this week, & 4 8's next week. This smacks of a FT situation intentionally manipulated into a 0.9 PT job, so as to avoid paying (or fully funding) benefits. It's really a FT job; it's just been massaged into what looks like PT, as a means of 'controlling costs.'

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. The problem is that almost all hospitals are owned by corporations, and the number one concern of any corporation is profit. When I entered my prerequisites for nursing in 2009 it seemed like a wise choice compared to the ups and downs in construction I was used to. Now I am not so sure.

The hospital where I work now has a habit of hiring workers in 0 hr positions then working them 30 to 40 hr a week. It is pure abuse of a soft job market, and " part time status". I work .9 (three 12’s) and just had my paid time off reduced. They told us it would put us more in line with their competition. I felt like saying if all you are doing is meeting the competition what is keep here? but I graduate with my RN next spring so I didn’t want to rock the boat.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Just be aware that 'self-scheduling' does NOT equal getting the schedule you want. Suppose everyone who self-schedules puts themselves off on Thursday. SOMEONE in a position of authority has to fix that. So planning an ideal schedule and making your decision on that assumption is setting yourself up for disappointment.

The one thing in favor of eight hour nights is this: you can still do things outside of work on a night that you work. With twelves, all I do is work, sleep and commute. With eights, I can still have dinner with my family, run to the store or go to a Bible study. All of which are not possible with twelves.

Just something to consider.

[Fiona59]

Is it in writing that you can self schedule? Because the shifts have to be covered and management doesn't care about our wants and needs.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

IME self scheduling is really wish list scheduling. You give your request and then the scheduling committee or a manager has to ensure that there is coverage on every shift. If you pick unpopular days to work you're likely to get the schedule you ask for, but it's not a guarantee..9 is also FT at my job. I'd take ft for the relocation and benefits and then shop around for a place that schedules 12 hour shifts.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

hiddencatRN expressed it perfectly! Self-scheduling is 'wish-list scheduling'! You CANNOT assume you will get what you ask for - especially as the new guy / low man on the totem pole.