Another question about OT

[a_clay]

I'm still a student but it ALL of my previous jobs I have worked lots of OT. I know there seems to be a nursing shortage and I'm assuming that OT is pretty easy to get. Is that correct? I'm hoping to be going into ICU after I graduate and wondering about OT. I actually like to work some OT....I don't wanna work 7 days a week...but I have normally, when not in school, worked 60 an average of 60 hours a week. Is it very hard for a new grad to get OT? I guess I mean, do you have to be on the floor a certain amount of time before most employers will let a new grad work OT? I know I will want to work some OT to help pay off students loans faster. Just curious. Thanks in advance.

Amy

[austin heart, BSN, RN]

In every hospital that I have worked in, I was not elegable for OT until I finished orientation. I work in a CCUand OT is easier to pick up for me because I am able to recover hearts and also do house supervisor prn. But I would imagine it would vary from facility to facility and what their staffing is. I meen I have worked in both poorly staffed hospitals were OT was VERY easy to come by, and in hospitals were you were kicked out the door as soon as you hit your 40 hrs.