Nursing and overtime

[BiologyNerd]

6 months into your nursing career, did you work OT? How much OT is too much OT? I would think at 6 months in you could pull an extra shift each week and not be completely wiped out? How about 5 shifts?

[rn undisclosed name]

There was no way I was going to work overtime 6 months into my career. I really don't like all those hours. I would say I didn't start signing up for overtime until I was a nurse for over a year. At the 6 month point I finally stopped having panic attacks before going into work. I have worked 5 days a week before. Are you talking about 12 hour shifts. If yes, I don't really think it's doable but there are people who do it all the time.

I can't really say how much OT is too much. Really, it depends on the person. You could always try picking up 1 extra shift every week and see how you feel. I personally am exhausted when I work 5 12 hour shifts in 1 week.

[incublissRN, BSN, RN]

I started picking up extra shifts about 8 months after I transferred to my unit but I had been a nurse for over a year. I only pick up maybe 1 or 2 extra shifts a month if I need too. Usually I'm worn out after 3 days of work and I enjoy my days off. Everyone is different though. I have a friend that picks up an extra shift each week.

[not now, RN]

I've been an RN for eight months yet and I still won't work OT. I love my floor, my job doesn't give me panic attacks. I just cherish my time off too much to bother with OT.

Some nurses I work with start 6 months after they start. Some work 5 days a week EVERY WEEK.

[RNBelle]

i have been working for 8 months. i do one shift per schedule period (6wk schedule) of mandatory overtime. our nursery is super short staffed so we all help pick up the slack. i dont mind helping out in a pinch but i like me time off too much to go looking for extra shifts.

[jdamro06]

I have been a nurse for 8 mths. I work in the medical intensive care unit. our unit is so short staffed. I work 4 shifts per week, usually equalling out to 50-55 hours per week. good checks but no time off.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I started signing up for overtime shifts about 1 month into my nursing career. I even worked 86 hours in 1 week between two jobs.

Back then, I was attempting to rebuild my savings because I had not worked in 18 months while attending school. While I was unemployed and attending school, my personal savings diminished as I pulled from it to pay my mortgage and other bills.