nursing schedule in WA?

[jbarry901]

Hi everyone! Paramedic from Texas here...I'm currently in nursing school and am wondering if anyone can tell me what shifts nurses work in Washington state? Here in Texas most of the schedules consist of three 12s a week, mainly taking about Hospital work

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I've worked in both Spokane and Seattle. Three 12s is pretty standard.

[verene, MSN]

It depends more on the facility/unit. I've seen & worked both 8s and 12s in hospital setting.

[jbarry901]

Okay thank you, also down here most of the nurses get to pick their days, but are required to work every other weekend or some deal similar...is that about the same up there?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Okay thank you, also down here most of the nurses get to pick their days, but are required to work every other weekend or some deal similar...is that about the same up there?

Self staffing is more or less available. Weekend requirement depends upon the unit -- every other or every third, depending upon union contract. Seattle had a strong union when I was there, which gave us some awesome perks. Holidays are handled similarly -- you sign up for your most desired holidays off in the order of your preference, and someone assigns them by seniority. Or someone signs you up. Different facilities did that differently. Floating was strictly by seniority in one facility, in another we didn't float except within the critical care areas.

[jbarry901]

Okay thanks! Just wondering because most nurses down here work three 12s at a hospital and then pick up a shift a week at a stand alone ER or urgent care for supplemental income, wondering if it's the same up there