$39/hr???

I live in west texas-Midland, Odessa, Big Spring. Cost of living here is lower than Dallas or Houston. Starting wage here is $20.50 plus about $5.00 for night shift diff and an extra $2.00 for weekends. I talked to 6 other hospitals before I choose to go to work at the place that actually paid the LOWEST in that area. I love my job and think that I made the right choice. I also choose to work nights. I have worked days to fill in on occasion and find that will probibly never work days. Nights tend to be so much more relaxed.

I assume you are talking about Cook Childrens Medical Center. I graduated in May and I currently work there on a med/surg floor. Starting pay for days is $25.48 plus:

$5.00 diff for week nights

$4.00 diff for weekend days

$9.00 diff for weekend nights

So if you work weekend nights as a new grad you can make $34.48/hr.

My best friend is a new grad a Cooks Childrens.. I assume that's the one you're talking about.. and yes, she works nights/weekends and makes about $38/hr starting out. The base pay at cooks is already higher than most hospitals for new grads, but with those shift diffs, you're sittin' pretty!

Going rate for a new grad is 25 plus per hour at my facility. Shift diff brings that up to almost 38, not quite. But keep in mind - this is new grad pay. Once you're a nurse for a year and ascend (become a higher level clinical nurse), you automatically get a big raise on top of your annual. Let me know if you need more info.

Yes, it's possible.

vamedic4

I wouldn't doubt it..but you work ALL weekends...so it can wreak havoc on a social life. I thought I wanted to be a weekender, but now I'm not so sure...

So how long can someone work weekends before they can (or are allowed to) change? A year? Longer?

So how long can someone work weekends before they can (or are allowed to) change? A year? Longer?

My facility you have to have at least a year or two experience BEFORE you are allowed to be a weekender.

So how long can someone work weekends before they can (or are allowed to) change? A year? Longer?

Most facilities don't have a time period for something like that, compared to switching units. But there must be an open slot for you to take on another shift or day, etc. And often times there must be someone to replace you on that shift as well, as all weekends can sometimes be difficult to get a replacement.

going rate for a new grad is 25 plus per hour at my facility. shift diff brings that up to almost 38, not quite. but keep in mind - this is new grad pay. once you're a nurse for a year and ascend (become a higher level clinical nurse), you automatically get a big raise on top of your annual. let me know if you need more info.

yes, it's possible.

vamedic4

that sounds like a winner:up:. would you mind disclosing the name of the facility? the pay at cooks childrens seems great, but i really would prefer not to work at a pedi hospital.

So how long can someone work weekends before they can (or are allowed to) change? A year? Longer?

In my unit there is only one time a year when anyone can be considered for a schedule change. If someone quits, and you want their schedule thats to bad. They will just hire someone outside the unit/hospital to fill it. I guess they have had to many people fighting over open positions in the past.

In my unit there is only one time a year when anyone can be considered for a schedule change. If someone quits, and you want their schedule thats to bad. They will just hire someone outside the unit/hospital to fill it. I guess they have had to many people fighting over open positions in the past.

And then hospitals wonder why they can't retain nurses. Let's just look over the nurses who already work here and what makes them happy! That is so sad.