48 hour weekly contracts?

[BigT]

Some assignments I have looked at specify a 48 hour work week. The particular ones I have looked at have been on the west coast, specifically icu positions. I was wondering if anyone has actually worked these contracts and can let me know-- are you too dead tired from working all those hours to enjoy the days off? I get that they are probably short staffed and was wondering if you are running around and ragged by the end of your 12 hours shifts? or are they tough but definately doable? Do you need to take several weeks after the assignment to recoup? Ever extend the assignment?

Thanks

T

[NedRN]

The ability to tolerate work hours is highly personal. It also depends on your biorhythms and if you need to readjust for your days off. As a strictly day worker, I recently came off of 30 days straight, tapering down to 5 or 6 days a week. Now I'm working 3 days and am kind of bored. Of course, part of the reason to work so hard is to ultimately have more time off, now or in retirement.

48 hours contracts do need to be scrutinized carefully. Often they are for rapid response companies like Fastaff at difficult hospitals. They all should carry rather good weekly income. Some of these contracts have poor overtime rates, or straight pay. If you are doing ICU in California, at least you have mandated staffing ratios so you shouldn't be run too ragged. Unless they are sucking you into "ICU" where in reality you will be floated 100% of the time to medsurg and every four hours.

Caveat emptor!