Every other weekend- what century are we in?

[lizva101]

Every other weekend is just inhumane. We are expected to be caregivers and give our lives to service --- yet -- we also HAVE to work every other weekend. We are still although healthcare providers, part of the human race , who have family, and other interests necessary to maintain a healthy psych. There would be a lot stress in the field if it wasn't about who can cut it and who can't, if it were more humane. Not to mention --- Come on people. This is a profession, not a rat race based on who can stay up for 12 hours and hack an every other weekend job. Give me a

break.

I am so fumming -- The only non every other weekend position is OR, PACU, or day surgery.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH MANAGERS/LEADERS THAT THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT EVERY OTHER IS NOT GOOD FOR RETENTION.

I know the argument -- not enough staff. give me a break. Thats what per diem nurses are for. Make per diem positions less attractive, and gain more Staff Nurses. I mean come on, you don't have to be mensa to see the results increase retention, decrease nurse burn out.

Some prefer weekends -- great. Let them work workends people.

If it was a male dominated profession Let me ask You ----

Would they note that perhaps requiring every other weekend was a bit - shall we say nonprogressive?

Would they allow for every 3rd weekend option?

Just a point to ponder.

There are enough nurses, just not enough willing to work in an archaic work environment.

My next project -- To research effects of nursing morale, retention, performance by increasing some say over their schedule by oh 35%, specifically, reducing the number of required weekends. Think of it, half of lives (in weekend terms) are lost.

[rph3664]

So let me get this straight, you want to work M-F, 8 hour shifts, no weekends, probably no nights or evenings, and get paid the same as people that work the off shifts??

I'm sorry but hospitals are open 24/7 and need to staff accordingly, if you don't like the hours of better paying jobs then take a pay cut and work in a clinic. Life aint perfect, you can't have everything.

I'm pretty sure men can't stop people from being sick or injured on weekends either. Male dominated or not it's one of those jobs that needs to be staffed on weekends.

EMT, firefighters, police officers, and many other jobs are male dominated and probably always will be, and they will always have to work weekens and holidays too. Male nurses, doctors, lab workers, pharmacists, etc. don't get a break either.

Why do some people blame all injustice on "male dominated" even when it's obvious it's not a gender issue?

BTW, I'm a woman.

[medsurgrnco, BSN, RN]

I didn't read all the replies - too many! Most hospitals where I worked required every 3rd weekend on a regular schedule, or required an average of one weekend shift per week. Most hospitals where I've worked had modified self-scheduling - nurses sign up for a requested schedule, and then it is modified to provide for adequate coverage, with no changes needed if nurses balance the schedule when they sign up. This system has worked very well. I've pointed out the problems with every other weekend for night staff, and have had managers then change the policy. Just try to come up with a reasonable schedule for 3 night shifts a week with every other weekend required!

[loriangel14, RN]

Weekends are a fact of life for many working people. I work in a small(26 bed) hospital and we make weekends special. We have no cafeteria and sometimes we do potluck for lunch or dinner or we order out.Weekends are quieter, no physio, no doctor, no manager.

[neurorn6]

I have been the the healthcare industry for 30+ years, not all as an RN but long enough to have worked 8hr shifts and 12hr shifts. Yes, we all know that people get sick 7 days aweek including the weekend. However, I have down the "they schedule you and live with it", "self schedule and they change it without telling you" and "self scheduling and you have a voice". I preferr the option where you have a voice. Hospitals do have options which some readily take such as the "Baylor Program", or the weekend incentive program. It all comes down to money for the hospital. I have worked different places and the one thing I say, is that the nurse's who did not have to work every other weekend were more content and nurse retention was higher. I believe that there are too many of us who don't feel that we have a voice in our jobs and very often feel that if we do voice them that we will find ourselves on the unemployment line. When you are the major bread winner for your family that is a valid concern. Yes, I have seen nurses threatened for voicing their opinion to the power's that be. Southern nurses especially, there are very few if any union's here and those that are do not seem to be effective. What's the answer? Well, it just seems to me if every nurse out there came together, well we would be able to change different aspect of our jobs and the healthcare industry.