Anyone work weekends only?

mtngrl, ASN, RN · Aug 21, 2006

I just had my second baby and am considering taking a position when I return to work working weekends only. The pay is great and I would be able to stay home with my kids during the week. The negative is not being home on weekends when my husband is off and I could miss a lot. Anyone work weekends only? What do you like/dislike?
Teresa

In my opinion, that is not a good idea. For the kids, maybe...but only until they are in school. Otherwise you would never be doing anything together because weekends would be the only time you could due to school. As for now, you are saying your husband is off on weekends, and you want to work all of them? So no family time (mom, dad, and the kids together)? That would likely hurt your marriage. And don't think spending an hour with your husband when he comes home from work during the week is going to make up for entire weekends. You would surely miss too much. There is no way I would ever work weekends because I have a daughter in school all week and my husband is only off 2 weekends a month and works every single other day. So our days together are precious and no job is worth my family time.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2006

In my opinion, that is not a good idea. For the kids, maybe...but only until they are in school. Otherwise you would never be doing anything together because weekends would be the only time you could due to school. As for now, you are saying your husband is off on weekends, and you want to work all of them? So no family time (mom, dad, and the kids together)? That would likely hurt your marriage. And don't think spending an hour with your husband when he comes home from work during the week is going to make up for entire weekends. You would surely miss too much. There is no way I would ever work weekends because I have a daughter in school all week and my husband is only off 2 weekends a month and works every single other day. So our days together are precious and no job is worth my family time.

For some families, childcare is a big problem, especially when the kids are very young. So for them, working weekends when their spouse is home is the best option. That way the children never have to go to daycare or a babysitter's house. Some people value family time together most, while others worry more about who is taking care of their kids when they work. There is no right option for everybody, which is why nursing - with all it's scheduling flexibility - is so wonderful for working mothers, in my opinion.

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Aug 21, 2006

I work weekends. I work Saturday 7p till 7am Sunday, then come back at 7pm on Sunday till 7am on Monday morning. I have 3 kids, a 6 year old, a 5 year old and a 3 month old. Most of the time the kids are asleep. So I really don't miss much. Plus I work 24 and get paid for 36. I think it is great.

hogan4736, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2006

For some families, childcare is a big problem, especially when the kids are very young. So for them, working weekends when their spouse is home is the best option. That way the children never have to go to daycare or a babysitter's house. Some people value family time together most, while others worry more about who is taking care of their kids when they work. There is no right option for everybody, which is why nursing - with all it's scheduling flexibility - is so wonderful for working mothers, in my opinion.

indeed...my kids never went to daycare...worked for us...a little (us time) sacrifice is important to the well being of the kids

allnurses Guide · Aug 21, 2006

I agree with Gompers.

I work part-time, sometimes that will fall on a weekend, like this past weekend. I love it because then my dh is home with our son and daughter while I'm at work. I get off work at 3 p.m. so I still have afternoon and evening with my family - granted I'm exhausted but I'm still here and attended a bbq birthday dinner for my dh on Sat - even though I spent part of the time on the grass under a tree resting . . . next to my 5 year old. :balloons:

I refuse to use daycare - so this works well for us.

On the days I do have to work during the week, my wonderful in-laws have our son. They live on a ranch and he gets to do fun things like drive on a tractor with his "Tata" and pick veggies with his "Nana". She is also teaching him to play piano - not formal lessons of course, he is only just 5.

Sometimes during the week, our son goes on the logging truck with his dad.

Good luck with your decision making . . .

steph

Faith21 · Aug 21, 2006

I have the same issue. I am a new mom and a new grad! I need to onlywork part time, but I haven't found any hospital facility willing to hire me part time yet. Any advice?

SophiaRN · Aug 21, 2006

I also work every Sat & Sun 6am to 10:30PM. I get paid for 40 hours. I love waking up Monday am & realizing that while everyone else is on their way to work, I have the next 5 days off!

allele, LPN · Aug 21, 2006

I would do it in a SECOND if the rest of my family didn't have nice normal jobs with weekends off!! I don't have kids, so I like to go to the parties, BBQs, etc. But, working just weekends and having all the weekdays off would be very attractive! I hate how crowded things get on the weekends, can't make appointments on the weekends, too crowded for day trips to the beach or the mountains on the weekends, etc, etc, etc! Good luck with your decision!

P_RN, ADN, RN · Aug 21, 2006

I did it for a time. 12h sat/sun days=36h +$5 hr weekend RN bonus

12 sat/sun nites=4h +$5 hr

weekend RN bonus

paccookie · Aug 21, 2006

I work Thur-Sun 11-7 as a unit secretary. Why? Mainly because of school. I have class on Tues and Thur and will soon have my EMT class on Mon and Tues nights. We have several "weekend nurses" who work 12 hr shifts Fri-Sun. They are some of my favorite people! LOL A few of them have moved on to other positions in the hospital system and we haven't filled their positions yet. The other nurses usually work every other weekend, but they only do their usual 8 hr shifts. The weekend nurses do get extra pay and they have to sign a contract that states they will not call in beyond a certain number of weekends per year and that includes scheduled vacation time. I think this is probably the option I will take once I am done with nursing school. It gives you 4 days off in a row and the weekend crew is a lot more fun! LOL

Christina

working4aBSN · Aug 21, 2006

I did the weekend things for about a year after my third child was born. I loved it and wish I could find another position like that. It helped me to be there during the week for my other kids and homework. I worked Sat-Sun so that if my husband and I wanted to do anything we still could go out on a Friday night..that was my thought then but we never did end up doing anything especially not with a brand new baby...lol

It did stink not being able to do any family outings or such but I had 5 free weekends a year but last year was not fun with the holidays..Christmas and Christmas Eve fell on the weekend so we had to work it....yuck...

But I would highly recommend the weekender position because it works so well for nurses that have children.

nurturing_angel · Aug 21, 2006

I work weekend option friday-sunday 7pm to 7 am. It works really well for me. No kids, husband semi retired and works from home so we can spend as much time as we want together during the week. Its nice being able to go out together during the week and not fight the huge crowds in restaurants, malls, grocery stores. I take at least 2 weekends off every year...one summer and one fall but I am entitled to one out of every 12 week contract period. I have some significant health problems so I try to save the extra weekends off for potential illnesses. I love weekend option although it would be nice to have a sunday afternoon sometimes.

:balloons: