Nurses & Overtime

i am currently taking pre-nursing classes and i am wondering if nurses are offered overtime on a regular basis. (in the hospital setting)

i guess a lot would depend on the shift, the census, and the unit. i am an or nurse, working 5-eight-hour day shifts per week, and in the last week, i was offered overtime 3 times. i took it because i knew the case would be over within 2 hours, and i didn't have anything else i needed to do. i don't mind helping out when it fits in to my schedule, but remember that uncle sam often takes a lot out of overtime pay. the biggest add-on to my pay is call pay, which is $40/hour.

You dont necissarily get ALL you want. But if you want some OT there is a real real good possiblity. Then some of us who dont want it,, and get calls all the time wanting us to take a few extra hours here and there and wish they could have the phone disconnected. It just depends on the facility really.

If you want overtime its out there, you just need to find out where they need you and crosstrain. You will be sick of all the calls within a month.