Overtime

[babynurse357]

I know mandatory overtime has been discussed numerous times. I've found plenty of cons about it but no benefits to it. I'm working on a project for my RN-BSN program regarding mandatory OT and I need to list both pros and cons. The only thing I can come up with is from a financial standpoint a facility probably saves more by paying OT than they would providing benefits for additional FTE's. Anybody have any other insight for me?

Thanks!

[Perpetual Student]

From staff perspective: the money can be nice; it's also better to have to work some OT occasionally than be so over-staffed that you have to take a ton of low census hours. For example, as a full time person I'd rather work 60 hours per week than 20. I prefer to not have to eat top ramen and drink cheap beer.

From management perspective: ideally you would be able to staff properly to not need excessive OT, but there will always be circumstances in which you need someone (sick calls, vacations, and so on) when you would love to have as many options open to you as possible. Ideally you would find a volunteer rather than insisting someone work OT.