Do you work overtime?

dinkymouse · Aug 13, 2005

I don't ask for overtime it comes along when someone doesn't show or they are short staffed. I get at least 20 hours every 2 weeks. Some days I get 2 hours just because I was running all day and couldn't get to the charting until the other shift came on. I am supposed to work 48 hours a pay period and this last time I had 76. I also refused about 24. I don't mind some of it but I hate having to fill in for someone who doesn't show up. I have a weekend package so when I work during the week I get the same pay as the weekend and we get time and a half for overtime.

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 13, 2005

I've worked a lot of overtime this summer...lots of babies being born. I had 16 hrs of OT last pay period. Its time and a half.

I am usually really good about my charting so I very rarely have to stay 15 mins. beyond my scheduled shift for any reason. My big thing is if I do not get my full lunch break I will have the charge nurse sign off that I didn't get the break.

If they are desperate less than 24 hrs. before a shift for help they can offer "bonus pay" which is an extra $10/hr...kicker is that you can't have bonus pay AND overtime...so I usually don't even negotiate for bonus...overtime is more $$$.

A few weeks ago we were overflowing and they offered "crisis pay" which is an extra $20/hr PLUS any overtime you incur. My paycheck was definitely sweet...but I haven't decided if it was worth the headache!!!

allnurses Guide · Aug 13, 2005

I work in a small community hospital that is pretty adequately staffed most of the time, and so I don't work much overtime. I have never even heard of anyone here being MADE to work an addiitional shift because someone else called in or just didn't show up. There is usually someone on call, or someone will get pulled from another unit.

I get overtime from time to time. Some mornings I do have to stay late and finish charting and tie up various loose ends. Some weeks, for some reason, my manager will schedule me for four twelve hour shifts instead of three, and I get overtime that way. And if someone is sick or whatever, we can usually volunteer to pick up an extra shift or two.

Overtime really ISN'T strongly encouraged at my hospital, but there are ways to get it if one WANTS it. =)

suzanne4, RN · Aug 13, 2005

Staying overtime to complete charting is not considered working overtime.

That is usually only an hour or even less at times. An overtime shift is just that, an extra shift or 1/2 shift worked.

krob0729 · Aug 13, 2005

I'm curious to know how much overtime you work per pay period (two weeks)? How much overtime is spent completing charting? Are you able to sign up for extra shifts? If so, how does your hospital / facility compensate you for volunteering to work an extra shift. Thanks in advance for curbing my curiosity.
Evan

let me tell you about overtime. last payperio..15 days....153 hours...i got 4 days off this week thogh. :roll

krob0729 · Aug 13, 2005

I'm curious to know how much overtime you work per pay period (two weeks)? How much overtime is spent completing charting? Are you able to sign up for extra shifts? If so, how does your hospital / facility compensate you for volunteering to work an extra shift. Thanks in advance for curbing my curiosity.
Evan

if they know you are working alot and they ask you to fill in and you say no, IF they are desperate enough..which they usually are cause they don't want to work the floor, they will offer for example a 6 hour bonus. Which means i get paid for 18 and work 12. all for my reg rate, but all of that also counts as overtime which i get at time 1/2. :rotfl:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2005

We used to get a bonus for working overtime, now we get straight up time and a half for hours over 40. Right now I'm getting my RN to BSN and am working 3 12-hour shifts a week and don't do overtime.

I work 12 hours most of the time I can get done on time or within 10 to 20 minutes after my shift. One day a couple of weeks ago I stayed one hour overtime charting.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 13, 2005

as LITTLE as possible.

gypsyatheart · Aug 13, 2005

I have no desire to do any OT! The 3 12's/wk I work now are more than enough, thank you. And yes, I could probably work every day of the week if I wanted to,but why? You have to be careful w/OT, it's fine to a point, after too much Uncle Sam eats the majority and you are left feeling like you were gypped!

Oh, we always get time and 1/2 to p/u an extra shift and if they are really desperate, we get double time.

Rena RN 2003, RN · Aug 13, 2005

i used to work tons of OT. loved the money. that didn't last long before i was feeling overtired and burned out at work.

i can't tell you the last time i had OT. 6 months ago? 10 months ago? when asked to work OT, i simply say that i have a full time job and do not want OT.

papawjohn · Aug 13, 2005

Hey Ed

When I got into Nursing about 25 yrs ago I'd had a LOOOOONG period of being really really broke. Had wife & baby. I remember SO WELL the first paycheck I got as an RN. IT HAD A COMMA IN IT!!!! I'd never had a paycheck that had four digits to the left of the period.

Since then I've virtually been amazed at how much money I can make. It has of course changed my life!!

But the downside is that I spent far too many hours at work, making lots of money, that I could have spent with family, hiking in the Smokeys, sailing...well you get the picture.

I didn't carefully manage the money I made. It was too easy to just keep those large paychecks pouring into the checking account.

I've told my kids, and anyone who'll pay attention to an old baldheaded 'grumpy old man'--overtime is great but addictive. Use it with caution.

Yer Papaw John