Not working weekends?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everyone,

I'm a new grad RN, also a mom and my husband works weekends. I currently have a great job in the works, and I'm wondering, is working weekends a must? And if I state my inability to do so, will it jeopardize my chances at getting this job? My issue with being unable to work weekends is only because there would be no one to watch my kids as my husband works. Otherwise I have no issue working holidays etc. Any advice on this and ways to get around it without ruining my chances at this job would really mean so much. Thanks in advance!

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If you apply for a job that has a weekend requirement there is no getting around it. To even inquire will likely torpedo your chance of getting hired.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

We have no way of knowing the answer to your question - only your potential employer can answer. However, I must tell you that your unwillingness to use childcare could be a huge stumbling block to your employment. Most new grads must be willing to take whatever first nursing position is offered. The fact that this is potentially a "great job" is even more reason to pull out the stops and look at every possible option to accommodate a possible offer.

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If you approach the employer with this, you will not be seen as 'unable' to find someone to watch your children but 'unwilling', as there many parents who both work weekends and they arrange babysitters to take care of their children.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

As a nurse mgr. with over 4 decades of experience, I would not hire you....as safe staffing is required 24/7.......

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Would working opposite shifts on weekends from your husband help your childcare is an issue? If he works weekend days, you work weekend nights?

Does he work absolutely every weekend? If not, and you have self-scheduling, pick up weekends where he is off work.

As a new grad, you do not have much bargaining power. And asking for weekends off is a big thing to ask for.

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Thank you Sally, and everyone who took time to reply. I'm so glad I reached out and asked for advice, this forum is such an amazing and supportive network for nurses. I will start looking for sitters stat and definitely

adjust to accommodate my new job. Thanks again for saving me from a huge blunder.

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My husband and I both work in fields that have weekend shifts so we had this issue many times. I was an LPN until May and I always worked in clinics (no weekends) because my husband worked Saturday-Wednesday. I now work every weekend and not during the week so my husband can work during the week.

You most likely will need to find a M-F clinic job. Unfortunately, that usually means 5 8 hr shifts which could mean day care for your kids.

I would not do opposite shifts with kids. You need to sleep during the day if your working nights.

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I would ask what the weekend requirement is. Some floors at my hospital require 1 out of every 3 weekends. My floor requires every other. If it's a requirement, you'll have to find a way to get child care. Maybe the hospital has child care options? But yes, everyone has to "serve their time" on the weekends.

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Thank you Sally, and everyone who took time to reply. I'm so glad I reached out and asked for advice, this forum is such an amazing and supportive network for nurses. I will start looking for sitters stat and definitely

adjust to accommodate my new job. Thanks again for saving me from a huge blunder.

Good luck OP!

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Usually it's always a requirement and it won't go over well if you show signs it's a problem. Most job postings list exactly what the requirement is.

If you work nights, you may be able to work every weekend a partial weekend, instead of every other. That way you can be home with the kids and not work the next day. Like one week you work Friday & Sunday and the next week you only work Saturday...but do this this alternating every week. That could scoot you around the sitter need, if you're willing. Otherwise, it's usually every other weekend or every third weekend if they have a special weekend staff already in place and you get lucky.

I would still prep for a sitter in case they can't accomodate a partial weekend every weekend arrangement. Some places will even let you work 16 hour shifts, so you would do two shifts a week instead of three...but those opportunities are very rare.

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Specializes in PICU.

If the job has a weekend requirement, there is not any way to request no weekends. If you have a job that states it is Monday - Fridaythat is different

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