NNP hours?

Specialties NICU

Published

Hello all. This is my first post here and I have a few questions on Neonatal NP's. I was curious as to the shifts/hours/call worked by NNP's on your units. This may be better posted on the Nurse Practicioner discussion board, but I thought I would try here first. Do most of the NNP's work weekends? Nights? Call? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

Same question?:)

Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Our NNP's rotate weekends, some only work nights, some work either 7a-7p or 7p-7a. They schedule among themselves. They rotate holidays and vacation is by senority.

Specializes in NICU.

Be prepared to work all of the above. Every hospital does things differently - some have just a few NNPs and some have tons, some have NNPs on days only, others have them in house 24/7, etc. My hospital used to have them doing 12 hour day/night shifts (no call, but split holidays between themselves) but now we only have a handful so they just work days.

If it's something that interests you, go for it. You can always try and find a hospital that "fits" you later on. Once you work your 2+ years as a NICU RN prior to NNP courses, you'll have a better idea what their lives are like as well.

Specializes in NICU, Educ, IC, CM, EOC.

Our coverage is 24/7 in house. All days have one 24 hr shift person assigned and one 12 hr day person for extra coverage/education/research. They all do some amt of 24 hr shifts. In addition there is 24/7 transport call covered.

We have NNPs on our floor 24 hours a day. During day shift, there are usually 2 NNPs that work 7a-7p. At night, we have one that works 7p-7a. We have eight NNPs and I would say they all work at least one weekend a month. They schedule themselves.

I am hoping there is some sort of sleep room provided for the 24-hour shifters?

(never assume - especially in health care!)

How does the scheduling usually work for this type of set-up? A 24 and a 12 per week or something else?

Are NNPs where all of you are salaried? Do they work OT or is there usually adequate coverage?

Specializes in NICU.
I am hoping there is some sort of sleep room provided for the 24-hour shifters?

(never assume - especially in health care!)

How does the scheduling usually work for this type of set-up? A 24 and a 12 per week or something else?

Are NNPs where all of you are salaried? Do they work OT or is there usually adequate coverage?

Ours only worked 12 hour shifts, so they weren't allowed to sleep, but I know of other places with 24 hour shifts and they get a call room just like the docs do so they can rest.

One of the reasons many of our NNPs left is because they were changed from hourly to salary. A lot had been doing overtime, but that stopped when they didn't get paid for it. It went downhill from there. I'm not sure if it ever got changed back or not.

Again, all units are different, and staffing/scheduling changes often in some places. There is a range of practices out there, so I think the challenge may be seeing what everyone is doing after you get your NNP license and finding a good fit.

Specializes in NICU, Educ, IC, CM, EOC.
Ours only worked 12 hour shifts, so they weren't allowed to sleep, but I know of other places with 24 hour shifts and they get a call room just like the docs do so they can rest.

One of the reasons many of our NNPs left is because they were changed from hourly to salary. A lot had been doing overtime, but that stopped when they didn't get paid for it. It went downhill from there. I'm not sure if it ever got changed back or not.

Again, all units are different, and staffing/scheduling changes often in some places. There is a range of practices out there, so I think the challenge may be seeing what everyone is doing after you get your NNP license and finding a good fit.

Yes, a bed is provided in their office area for the 24 hour person.

Our NNPs work 4-10 hour day shifts/week, one weekend a month and rotate to regular newborn nursery on a monthly basis. A few will be in house on call for a staff MD. We're hoping for 24/7 NNP coverage eventually.

Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

In my area, they work 12s, just like everyone else. Our NICUs are staffed by at least one NNP all the time.

Is it strange that I actually prefer nights and weekends?

We work four 10 hour days shifts weekly. We rotate ~ 1 weekend a month. Currently we are not taking call, but will possibly be doing so in the future.

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