? For those that work only weekends

shoegalRN, RN · Aug 29, 2011

I am currently working weekends only (Sat and Sun nights) and get paid for 3 days with full benefits. I have been doing this for majority of my short 2 year nursing career.

So far, it's working out for my son and I. I am now in the process of trying to get my hours changed to midshift (11a-11p) so I can be at home on Sunday nights in order to take my son to school on Monday morning.

My son is in high school and I think I may come off weekends next year. He has his own schedule with sports and school events that mostly take place on the weekend, and besides he's trying to get a part time job which will take place on the weekends. I really love working only 2 days a week and can't see myself going back to working five 8 hour days or even three 12 hour shifts a week.

nyamom · Aug 29, 2011

I had a flex position, I worked every weekend , money was good, but I still felt as I was missing, my family alot.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Aug 29, 2011

We had a bunch of weekenders, who tend to love it.

Hours are pretty much set; must be available 24-36 hours per weekend between 3pm friday & 0730 Monday, but most hours were pretty much set.

We also had a more stringent attendence policy, so be sure what that is; as well as what thier vacation/request days etc policy is.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Aug 29, 2011

I've worked mostly weekends for years now, and had a couple of official "weekend plan" positions that gave extra pay.

Currently, only have to work 2 weekend nights of the three available shifts (Fri/Sat/Sun) giving me some flexibility. Because of that, if I plan ahead, I don't have to worry about asking for PTO.

But I do not get to spontaneously get together with other people and socialize whenever all the rest of the world is having their leisure time. In your case I know that kids are not great at keeping you up on their events ahead of time.

One place where most of the weekend workers were on the weekend plan did this for childcare reasons. They had husbands that worked M-F jobs. By doing this these women had no childcare costs and yet were paid close to the same as a full-time nurse. But they didn't get to regularly do things with family on the weekends (or they had to forgo sleep), no church on Sunday (unless of course they slept through the service and were still exhausted that night), didn't see their husbands all that much.

It works for me because I'm not all that social anyway, and would probably sit home on the weekend much of the time. My husband is much the same. We enjoy being off during the week when things aren't as busy, like shopping when things are slower. The kids (his kids, my steps) are grown and respectful of our schedules, so noise level is low.

When the weekend program started where I work, it was a 6 month contract we signed with the hospital. That would be ideal for someone unsure so they could try it out.

I think if you have kids, and finances are not a huge concern (the nurses I mentioned above were some of the most financially strapped families of nurses I've ever met), I would be very cautious.

nitronymph · Aug 29, 2011

I have worked weekends in ICU for some 8 years. I raised my children during this time. It was good because I was able to be with them during the week and my husband on the weekends. I was allowed 3 weekends off a year and usually tired to chose them wisely. The money is great and the only way to have a set schedule. I was able to attend sports events and many other school functions because I worked weekends. My children are long grown, and I still continue to work weekends. I have worked with the same nurse all these years, too. We are the best of friends and have a great working relationship. This makes working weekends even better. And the fact that the high authorities are not there is even better! :twocents:

steelergrl86 · Aug 30, 2011

I work weekend nights and absolutely love it! In fact, almost everyone that I work weekends with (both day and night shift) love it!! They have their entire week...taking kids places, picking them up, etc. Not to mention, most places give you weekend shift diff. :) However, I know of a few places that don't. Anyways, I would definitely recommend it!

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2011

I worked weekend night shift for 10 years and lived to regret it. I started when my son was 6 years old, missed many trips to the park, swimming, parties, and just having fun - 10 years worth, approx 520 weekends. I regret it so much. My son was killed in an auto accident when he was 22. If only I hadn't worked all those weekends. I will regret it until I die!

What a devastating loss.

I hope you can make peace with your decision to work weekends while your son was young. Consider that no matter when you worked, you would most certainly has missed things. That's what pulls on every mother. When you work, no matter the day, you are NOT with your kids. When you work during the week, you find yourself missing school programs, donuts with Mom day, possibly a teacher conference, a school soccer game, etc. There's no way to schedule perfectly in advance as things come up after the schedule comes out.

I'm sure your son appreciated the fact that you were there to take him to school, there to pick him up, or meet the school bus, etc. The important thing is that you were there to show him you loved him. Whether you missed a trip to the park or a birthday party because of a weekend schedule or an important school event due to working weekdays is small in the grand scheme of things. No working Mom can ever be there always, so at least you made the most of what you had and did what you thought was best for him at the time. Don't beat yourself up about this.

My sincere condolences on your loss.

MommyandRN · Aug 31, 2011

Thanks everyone for your insight!

Isabelle49 -

I am so sorry for your loss! That is heartbreaking. Did you do weekends only and have off during the weekdays? If so, please don't regret that. He had someone there after school, to help with homework, spend time in the evenings, take to evening sports etc. Live with no regrets! If there was even ONE weekday during those years that you were there for him I am sure he appreciated that. I am sure there were MANY!!!