12 Hr shift pay ques?????

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I am starting my first real nursing job on Monday and have a silly question. If I am working 3-12.5 hr shifts (0700-1930) how many hours do I actually get paid for? I was thinking 36 hours but really it is 37.5 hours unless they deduct mealtimes. Thanks for any input, I am working really hard to figure out my budget!

HappyNewNURSE!

Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

Sound like it would be 36. Most places to not pay for your half hour lunch.

UGH! A HALF HOUR LUNCH ON A TWELVE HOUR SHIFT???!!!! YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! I didn't know THAT! I might have to re-think this whole thing....grrrrr....:confused: Yes, I know, I know, I will be happy if I get 5 minutes to pee but honestly I thought there were some laws about long shifts and breaks and stuff. Oh, well, hopefully they will be very busy hours...

Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

In addition to the 1/2 hour for lunch you will probably get 2 15min breaks. If you took an hour lunch you would end up with 34.5 hours. Some places pay for luch I sign a waiver for my lunch because even though I eat lunch I eat it with clients so I get paid for it but tech I am still working. I do not know of anywhere that will pay for a whole hour lunch.

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I ENSURE that I get my full 1/2 hr at some point during the shift...it might be at 2 am, but I take it. Usually employers won't pay for the 1/2 hr...but they do pay you for the 15 min breaks....usually 3 12 hr shifts come to 36 hrs on the check...

I hope I don't sound negative but realistically you will be lucky to get all the breaks that your allowed. Just a reality of nursing.

Depending on your state, your alotted meal/break times will vary...

there is no federal regulation mandating either rest and/or meal breaks for adult workers. there are a handful of states that do require either meal or break periods, although some states only mandate for certain occupations. the u.s. department of labor-employment standards administration (esa)-wage and hour division minimum length of meal period required under state law for adult employees in private sector lists the requirements by state of providing rest and meal periods.

regardless of state regulation, many facilities do provide an unpaid meal period. according to the u.s. department of labor - find it by topic - work hours - breaks and meal periods "bona fide meal periods (typically lasting at least 30 minutes), serve a different purpose than coffee or snack breaks and, thus, are not work time and are not compensable." the regulations on meal periods contained on that site states "the employee is not relieved if he is required to perform any duties, whether active or inactive, while eating. for example, an office employee who is required to eat at his desk or a factory worker who is required to be at his machine is working while eating." although some employers will try not to, if you are not given this time, then you must be paid for it.

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