How many hours do Nurse Techs and Externs work a week?

Nursing Students General Students

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I'm sure the answer will vary, but it would be great to get a feel for what hours they expect you to work, how many hours, etc. I know they would HAVE to know that you're a student, so I was interested in seeing how flexible they are when scheduling working hours.

Thanks for the help!!

The hospital that I applied for a nurse tech job told me that it is around your school scehdule but never told me any set amount of hours. They told me that I could set my own schedule, so I took that as I set how many hours I work as well. If I can get the job I plan to work the 3-11 shift 3 nights a week. That should help me bring in an extra $1200 a month.

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I have heard that some facilities have a minimum number of hours that you have to work per pay period, and others like the one I used to tech at that didn't have any minimum. I could work as much as I wanted, but usually only worked 1 - 2 days a month (I could afford to work that little) to just keep my foot in the door in case I decided to work there post-graduation (I didn't).

I think it's totally negotiable with your place of employment, so it's probably important for the employee to have an idea in mind of what their MAXIMUM level of comfort is prior to entering an agreement to work somewhere. Additionally, use caution that they don't try to force you to work more than you're comfortable with handling as I've also seen/heard that happen.

Good luck!!

Specializes in Postpartum/Nursery about to enter NICU I.

the hospital where i work lets us make our own schedule. so during school i work just weekends so that i get about 24 hours a week, and when i have breaks i work about 36-40 hours a week. i think most hospitals are willing to work with you as a student. just check with the one you want to apply to and don't stretch yourself too thin.

Specializes in E.R..

The hospital that I work at, let's you make your own schedule as a nurse tech. So I pick up two 12 hour shifts a week.

Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

Well...when i did my nurse externship this past summer (9 weeks) i followed a nurse and worked her schedule of 36 hours per week, 3 x 12 hour shifts. as a patient care tech...i work one 12 hour nite-shift a week...with the occasional second 12 hour nite-shift when i don't have exams during that week.

Mex

At my hospital, there is a sign up sheet for shifts and externs just choose whatever shifts they would like. We are supposed to work at least 32 hours a month with 8 hours being on a weekend and 8 hours being an evening shift (one 3-11 shift on a Saturday meets both those requirements.) Over the summer, I have been working 40ish hours a week. I worked 44 hours this week.

Specializes in MSICU.

Where I extern, a person can only work one 12hr shift a pay period (which is 2 weeks). It comes out to twice a month. A person can extern more if they are off of school (i.e. the 2 week break between blocks or during Christmas break). Then it can be full time. But during school? Only twice a month.

I just finished my nurse extern job with crawford long hospital in GA. It was a nine weeks program and i was require to make atleast 40 hours a week although sometimes i did only 32 or 36 hours. It's different in different hospitals.

When I was a nurse tech at first when I started my nursing program I was working 3 12 hour shifts a week. But towards the middle of my program I went to 1 12 one week and 2the next. Now I am not working. I decided that I wanted to finish school faster.

Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

my program allows ft during the summers and breaks and pt during the school year. we can work up to 3 days per week if given permission by our directors. otherwise it is suggested to work no more then 4 days per month during the school year.

the extern program at my hospital is set up to help nurse externs succeed. if we need to take days off or change our schedules there is flexibility. on the other hand, we have mandatory skills and training sessions throughout the year but they are all nursing and nclex related not to mention we get paid. thus, in general they have not been a problem for me.

i love being a nurse extern. i cannot wait to be a nurse! sooo close!:nurse:

Specializes in Med/Surg, Trauma/Surgical ICU.

At my hospital, it depends on whether or not you want insurance benefits... if no, you can work PRN, needing only to fulfill I think 48 hours in 2 month's time (get paid more per hour, just no insurance). If you do want to have insurance, the minimum needed to uphold insurance benefits is 24 hours a week, which is what I do (can't afford to go without!!!). As nurse techs, we get to choose our own schedule... because most of the time the hospital is short on tech help so they're glad to have us fill in when we can!!!

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