Every weekend jobs

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2014

Be cautious of every weekend positions they get tiresome. The world functions on a 5 day week/weekend off schedule. I did them for a few years when my kids were infants but it still stunk sometimes when all parties....even those at my house were on weekend and I had to work. I did it to not have child care and my hubby was helpful and understood why we did this....but when they did things and I couldn't it still stunk...they would go to the beach all day and I was at work. But it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

jessmurph · Mar 19, 2014

I've got a 6 week old so that is the exact reason i'm looking into it. I'm not too excited about the idea because of the reasons you listed plus never seeing my husband. But it might be a good idea for a little while...

tlynnette418 · Mar 19, 2014

I changed jobs recently because I was a Baylor nurse prior and working every weekend. I think the jobs are far and few bc most facilities require everyone to work a weekend or two a month. It worked well in the beginning and the pay was great, but eventually, it gets old. When everyone is doing fun things on the weekend and you're stuck at work...? I did that for a year and a half. No kids so I can't comment on that.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2014

I worked the weekend double shift as an LVN while attending an LPN-to-RN completion program. I would work two 16 hour shifts every Saturday and Sunday, receive pay and benefits for a 40 hour work week, and have Monday through Friday off.

I also worked a variation at another facility that involved two 12 hour shifts every Saturday and Sunday, 32 hours of pay every week with full benefits, and Monday through Friday off.

However, these positions dried up in my area around 2009 due to the economic meltdown. These weekend positions cost the workplace additional money in wages, benefits and bonuses, so many employers have opted to do away with them. After all, many nurses in my area are so desperate for work that they will accept a weekend-only slot without the additional pay or benefits.

jessmurph · Mar 19, 2014

Thanks for your input. The nursing market here in Rhode Island is brutal. Mostly all postings don't want new grads. Even those (like myself) who worked as student nurses- it doesn't count as experience

Caffeine_IV · Mar 20, 2014

The Baylor positions here are every weekend + one day during the week. Defeats the purpose IMO.

The strictly weekend positions are part time...I live in the South.

amoLucia · Mar 20, 2014

Something to consider - while every weekend may be acceptable TO YOU NOW in the beginning, it may wear thin as noted by other respondents. You will then be ready to change schedules, but your employer MAY NOT. So you're stuck!

I've seen other threads here on AN where the poster bemoans that admin is 'cruel' and 'non-understanding' and 'life is so terrible 'just because the facility won't change schedules at the whimsy of the poster. THEY don't have to - you made the commitment. Tough to change mid-stream. Next thing absenteeism will start to escalate and you risk termination.

Be careful what you wish for ...

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 20, 2014

Formal weekend only positions have disappeared around my area. If there is self scheduling, there is nothing to stop you from signing up to work all the weekends you want. That way you are not locked into missing all of your friends weddings, baby showers, reunions etc.

jessmurph · Mar 20, 2014

Has anyone heard of new grads getting per diem positions?

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 20, 2014

Where I work, you need at least a year of experience, and from my point of view, 2 or 3 years is even better.

Per diem staff do choose when they want to work, but we are the first ones cancelled if census drops.

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Mar 22, 2014

I don't know about other areas of the country but in my area weekend programs are not open to new grads because there is less support on weekends. How would you get proper orientation to prepare you to function on your own?