Did you wait to pick up OT?

[Nurse3242]

Hi!

I am a new nurse in an ICU. I just started working there about three months ago and got off orientation a few weeks ago. I was wondering: how long did you wait as a new nurse before you started picking up overtime shifts? My unit offers plenty of overtime shifts and I really enjoy going to work. However, I'm still new and it is still very scary to be a nurse on my own, so I just wanted to get a little insight.

[Maevish, ASN, RN]

I waited, but that's just me. I was too much in my own head and worried that each overtime shift was another chance I'd have to do something wrong Also, because I was thinking that way, it taxed me even more mentally and therefore, made me feel more tired physically than I maybe was. Only you know what you can handle. xo

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Duplicate threads have been merged into this one lone thread...

[bgxyrnf, MSN, RN]

I started picking up OT as soon as I could and I've never stopped.

The more hours that you're there, the more experience that you get and that's what you need.

And, that's where the money is.

[CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA]

I picked up OT right after I was off orientation but haven't been able lately due to my school schedule. It is really nice at my facility because we get a $10/hr bonus for picking up a shift.

[CCRN_CSC_0710]

I started OT right away at my first job and I was very happy I did (experience as others said/I was able to see some really cool things that didn't happen often). My second job doesn't let new grads work OT for 6 months off orientation--they apparently had a significant amount of burnout issues.

Word of advice though: try not to live off your OT money. If you do get burned out you're better off dropping to three days a week instead of pushing through.

[Nurse3242]

Thank y'all so much for all of the advice! It's good to hear other people's points of view!