extra shifts

[adpiRN]

I'm going to be working in L&D for my first job. It's possible I may want to pick up extra shifts for extra money (though I'll see how i feel with 3 days a week at first! maybe it'll be enough!)

Is this something a lot of new grads do?

Would I be eligible to work extra shifts in a med/surg floor, or do you think I could only work in L&D? (I just worry L&D won't have a lot of overtime shifts available)

My understanding is that hospitals have to pay you time and a half for overtime, so they'd probably try and avoid that if possible, don't you think?

It would probably be cheaper for them to pay a per diem employee to fill in, than pay their own employee overtime.

I've also thought about working per diem shifts at other hospitals, but I think I need a year of experience before I can do that (according to one I talked to)

[amalbon]

At my hospital there is overtime available sometimes. However, we only do overtime on our own unit (usually). It's not plentiful but if you prove you are good at your job and make sure your nurse manager knows you are looking for it she may seek you out to fill it first. I'm coming up on a year as a nurse and while I like overtime from time to time I find I treasure my days off more than I treasure the extra money. Just me, everyone is different.