I've tried searching old threads for the answer to this question, to no avail, so I apologize if it's been discussed before.
Basically, working 3 12's (36 hrs) per week gives you a total of 1,872 hours per year vs 2,080 hours if you work 5 8's (40 hrs) per week.
Say you make 30 dollars an hour (which seems to be the going rate around the area I live). If you work 3 12's, you make 56,160 per year. If you work 5 8's, you make 62,400 per year.
That's a difference of 6,240...not exactly chump change.
Do those of you who work 3 12's find that shift differentials make up for that 6,240 difference by the end of the year?
I know it depends on which shifts you work, so let's say you work days mostly during the week, which I guess would be the least amount of differentials earned.
Basically you would just be getting the shift diff for the last 4 hrs of your shift, anything past 8 hrs, right?
Do you still tend to break even with the amount you would earn if you worked 5 8's? Do you make more? Less?
Maybe some places? I know at my PT job, once I hit 1430, I start earned the PM shift differential, as I'm scheduled for days and am expected to be there until 1430. This weekend I was there until 1500 both days so I had an hour of shift differential time. In my FT job, no such thing exists. I think the opportunity for OT and such will make that $6000 appear more quickly than you could believe
Good advice, jadelpn, thanks!
I thought I had heard that anything over 8 hrs per shift automatically switches to some kind of differential for hours 8-12. I guess that's not the case?
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
My current workplace utilizes 12-hour shifts (6am to 6:30pm and 6pm to 6:30am).
Both shifts are eligible for shift differential. The day shift receives a small differential between the hours of 6am to 7am and 3pm to 7pm, whereas the night shift is paid a differential for the entire shift.
What gives you the indication that this is a homework question? In what nursing school do they talk about salary/income? In mine, it never came up, because it varies so much. I don't get what this forum's obsession is with calling any and every question a 'homework question' without any indication that it is.
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I get 10% for night differential and 25% for weekend differential and work every other weekend. Yes the differential would more than make up for the fewer hours in my case.
In addition to three 12's or five 8's, some nurses work two 12's and two 8's each week. That way they get 40 hours a week in and still have 3 days off each week. Something to consider.
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.
I forgot to mention, one of the primary benefits to a 3-day workweek is the shorter overall commute times. I save an extra 4 hours a week not being in the car at all (I bike commute), plus the time associated with getting ready in the morning. That, and no parking fees, gas, or extra stress on the car, I come out ahead.
At my job, day shift no longer gets any differential for hours. The night diff doesn't start until after 7PM.
Another thing to consider too, is that many 8 hour shift jobs are typically outpatient and have a lower pay rate. So sure, I could be working more hours, but at least in my area, I would be making around $10+ less an hour than I do now. While also giving up 2 more days of not working per week. No thanks!
I never worked more than 3 12s. The financial difference was irrelevant to me. I could have made more money on nights (tried it and just couldn't do it) or weekends (I'd miss all the soccer games, not acceptable) or working five 12s per week like a coworker did. The extra money was negligible to me relative to what I'd be giving up.
If you are game for nights and weekends, I say go for it. We always need people willing to take those shifts. You deserve the differential.
I work 3 12-hr nights between M-F. My unit is closed on the weekends, but if I work Friday night, I get a $6/hr differential, on top of the $3.50 night diff. There is also a $3 critical care diff. People always ask me why I don't switch to days, but...I'm the principle breadwinner in my household, and I can't afford to lose those shift differentials. I already have to worry about being one of the highest paid nurses in my department (35 years experience) and since nights always have the greatest need and fewer people want them...I'm staying right where I am for now. I'll have my MSN in another couple of years, and hopefully that will allow enough of a change in pay grade to get me to more family-friendly hours.
PedsRN2016
28 Posts
Nope, not a union hospital! I do agree that I am rather lucky to work at my hospital!