Would YOU work a WEEKEND PACKAGE??

Nurses General Nursing

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:nurse: Okay, another question!

I am just leaving my weekend package to go to OB full-time nites.

I had always wanted a weekend package until I worked one. The deal was:

1. Work 50 out of 52 weekends.

2. Full-time benefits.

3. Work two 12-hours shifts 6a-6:30p Saturday and Sunda

4. Work those 24 hours and get paid for 36, so it's like 1.5X your base rate wage.

Well, after a while I started to miss having a WHOLE day with my hubby and children on the weekends. It was GREAT having Monday through Friday off, and getting to pick up kids from school and be a "room mother".

But, Friday nite, it was early to bed, up at 4:30 (30 miles to work) and back home about 7p.m., eat and fall asleep and do it again. Even if there was a Saturday night function I am too dead to attend!!!!

SO, my question is would YOU work one, have you worked one, are you working one, and even does your hospital offer one???

I am REALLY curious as I don't have many local opinions yet. Our hospital just started these packages, and in other hospitals I hear they get scooped up quick!!

Thanks to you all!!!

I worked a weekend program back in the early 80's. Worked 2 12 hour shifts over the weekend and got paid for 40 hours as well as full-time benefits including tuition reimbursement. I had an ADN at the time and used the year and a half working the weekend program to obtain my BSN degree. The hospital I worked for at the time even reimbursed me for books. The years I worked the weekend program had a horrendous nursing shortage - like now. As the nursing shortage diminished so did the weekend program and other benefits. It met my needs at the time. A number of the other nurses I worked with at the time were in school or had small children at home. Now I wouldn't work a weekend program - different place in life. My hospital now has a weekend program - nothing like I had though. Nurses work the 2 12 hour weekend shifts and get paid for 36 hours and marginal benefits if any.

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I WORK A WEEKEND PACKAGE...SAT AND SUN 7P-7A AND I LOVE IT I ALSO GET COMPENSATED AN ADDITIONAL 16 FREE HOURS FOR THIS AGREEMENT....:)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Nope. I would work every other weekend and it's worth it to me to have time off with friends, going to shows movies, etc.

We have it at our hospital. Most of the people on it are mothers who do it do home with their kids during the week, and dad watches the kids on weekends. Not much time with dad however. But they love the five days off a week and the pay.

There are advantages and disadvantages to any shift we do, the best shift is no shift.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I work mostly weekends by choice, if I was staff somewhere and a weekend package was offered I would jump at the chance.

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Weekend package worked great for me! I was able to be with the kids M-F and my husband took care of them during the week. This was a great alternative to putting kids in daycare.

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Specializes in OR,ER,med/surg,SCU.

I work every thur. fri. and sat. 630am to 630 pm. Work 72 get paid 80. Work in OR, do not have to take call. Saturdays are very stressful but I love my scedule and I love not having to take call. It still gives me some time on the weekends for family and fun, just usually a zombie while attending them. Blonde anyway:roll Yesterday did Removal of total hip prosthesis with anitbiotic bead placement, Shoulder arthroscopy, two cysto's with stents, two compression hips(one was gamma nail) and was getting ready to start ORIF of ankle. Ran one room. Sometimes I definetly burn out, would love to take the phone(no one else in house to answer it) and the doctors pagers and flush them down the toilets:devil: I'm sure I will burn out on the shift at some point but for now it's working.:cool:

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I did the weekend thing many years ago. Worked Sat and Sunday 16's and got paid for 40. I missed a lot of family stuff which is why I stopped.

-Russell

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Sure...if it works for your family the Baylor plans are great. Lotsa students do the weekend thing too. Nice to have options...but as mentioned, it does get old after awhile....missing family outings, etc.

But we can do what we have to for awhile. :)

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