attention all Baptist nurses

I posted this in the TN nursing forum but nobody has responded. My original question was geared to Baptist nurses in Memphis but I guess this can be directed to any Baptist network hospital nurse.

Does Baptist limit overtime that nurses can work? Firstly, do they even allow it? If they do, do they put a cap on how much OT you can work? If I am going to go into nursing I will have to work a decent amount of OT for a while to be able to survive (my BSN is going to be quite expensive).

Thanks,

hbgwan

Baptist rarely lets nurses work overtime....especially since they have an abundance of PRN and float pool staff. They would rather pull from the float pool or schedule a PRN person than to pay OT, which I don't understand......because when your PRN you make $30/hr, float pool is $35/hr. They just gave their nurses a raise so it's no telling how much it is now. If you're looking to work OT, try working PRN at Methodist. I hear that they don't require a year's worth of experience. At the Med, you can pretty much work as much OT as you want.

I don't know about it for everywhere in the Baptist system, but I think it just depends on your nurse manager. I have heard that some units allow it, and some don't as much. I don't think you should count on it as a regular thing though.

There are a LOT of Baptist hospitals in the country. The system in Memphis is it's own private system and is not affiliated with any other baptist hospital in the nation.

As far as overtime? It depends on which hospital you work at and who your manager is. OT is not a problem. Staffing is so inadequate at BMH that it's no big deal really. BMH-Memphis ER.....all the OT you can work.

I've not worked for Baptist, but I've heard several nurses LEFT there because the OT was killing them. I agree with the above --- it must vary with the department and location.

Also, I know nurses that work a regular job at one Memphis hospital and moonlight at another. Not that I'd be real thrilled to be their patient after another 75 hour week, but they do it.