how hard is it for a RN to work weekends ONLY in ICU?

We have a program that is an ensentive to work only weekends! You work F-S-S and you get like a $1500 bonus every 3 months if you don't call in during the 3 months. It is good in all departments in our hospital. Due to child care issues I can only work S-S and I have no problem getting my shifts. Most people are happy to give up their weekends. :)

I don't think you'll have a problem. I only work weekends, and believe me I love it. I get to avoid most of the political crud, and just do my job. Only thing is we are usually poorly staffed on Sundays - no aids, no clerks - and Monday mornings stink.

I will soon be graduating with my ADN and want to go into ICU. I know that most ICU's work 12 hour shifts with rotating days. I already know in about 6 - 12 months after I start working that I want to go back to school to do RN - BSN. I'm just wondering how hard it will be to get an ICU position that is weekends only (Fri, Sat, Sun) instead of rotating days. Thanks in advance.

Amy

Hello-

I've heard of a program that some hospitals participate in... I believe it's called the Baylor Program, if you work 24 hours of weekend shifts you get paid for straight 40 hours per week or whatever at that hospital is considered full time...some hospitals consider 36 hours full time. As I said, I'm not really sure of the specific information but look into it. It may be beneficial for you!

I've been working weekends only in ICU for close to 2 years now. The plan at my hospital pays us for 80 hours in 2 weeks when we only work 60 (3 days one week, 2 the next). The majority of people that do it are parents with young children and students.

Our policy requires that nurses must have at least a year in ICU before going to weekends and the reason for that is you have to be prepared to work indenpendently quite well. As stated before, you don't have as much ancillary staff and usually get unfamiliar patients due do lack of scheduled surgeries, etc. We have a lot more codes on the weekend as well, mainly because we don't have the critical care docs in the unit and the attendings aren't around either.

It seriously hinders your social life, though. Be prepared to have to turn down many social engagements, weekend trips, etc. If you can live with that, you'll be fine.

Spend some time getting your confidence built up with your skills and then go for it.

I am a new grad who worked rotating, then weekday nights for about 8 months. A position came up for weekend days and my manager kept it open specially for me... so it is definitely doable if you catch the unit when the need is there. I think the exact details vary from one hospital to another, but at my shop the deal goes like I work Saturday and Sunday day shift (24 hrs) and get paid for 34 hrs. The weekend night people get paid for 38 I think but oh well. I am also returning to school to finish my physiology degree and hopefully apply to medical or osteopathic medical school.

I will say this... I don't think they'll let you transfer to weekends right away as they need to train you and experience your practice as a safe nurse first.