Overtime and incentives

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I don't mean to be a pest asking all sorts of questions but I was just wondering what kind of overtime incentives there are out there in differnent parts of the U.S. or even here in az for NICU nurses. I've heard rumors of $1000/shift plus overtime pay. Is that feasible? I've just started an extern at a level III NICU and havent mustered up the courage to ask what kind of overtime incentive there is but it seems that this NICU is very well staffed but then again I've only worked two shifts and havn't talked to many people. So just wondering what kind of incentives does your hospital offer and what part of the U.S. do you work in?

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

There was a period of time a few years ago when our unit would offer up to $200/shift plus overtime (sometimes regardless of if you were over 40hrs/week). They actually quit doing that because they felt people were just saying no when asked to come in hoping to get a call back with a higher offer. I can certainly understand both sides; for me there was no amount that would encourage me to come in extra; just not my style; I already work more hours than I care to.

Now our unit offers "red shift" which means if the shift is determined to be in desperate need; then they will offer a 8$/hr differential.

Now, I wouldn't come in for extra $200/shift; but for $1000, I'd have to think twice.

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Specializes in NICU.

I work in an AZ NICU and when we pick up an extra shift we get time and a half. Now if they call us in and ask us to work, it's usually call-back pay, which is double time.

$1,000 additional incentive?! Wow, I can't even imagine. It'd be cheaper for them just to use registry, so I can't see that ever happening where I work.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Overtime at my hospital is posted on an ebay-like auction system usually starting at $38-48/hr depending on the shift and how desperate they are. Either you can bid on extra shifts on your own, or ask for the shift to be put up on auction if they call you wanting to come in. I also get 50% of my base hourly on top of that auction rate if it's my 4th day that week. THis system has eliminated the need for agency/travelers, and has allowed all units to become autonomous as far as staffing. NO MORE FLOATING outside your division!!! Yay! If I work an extra shift a week at auction pay, my check just about doubles. I was able to pay off my BMW in 1 yr!!!

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Overtime at my hospital is posted on an ebay-like auction system usually starting at $38-48/hr depending on the shift and how desperate they are. Either you can bid on extra shifts on your own, or ask for the shift to be put up on auction if they call you wanting to come in. I also get 50% of my base hourly on top of that auction rate if it's my 4th day that week. THis system has eliminated the need for agency/travelers, and has allowed all units to become autonomous as far as staffing. NO MORE FLOATING outside your division!!! Yay! If I work an extra shift a week at auction pay, my check just about doubles. I was able to pay off my BMW in 1 yr!!!

That sounds like an awesome system. My unit had what they called "flex time" for years but it was just eliminated (the hospital says we no longer meet the requirements). Basically it was an extra 50% of our base salary for the entire shift- so, for those of us who work 36hr/wk, if we picked up a 12 hr shift for flex instead of getting regular pay for the first 4 hours and time & a half over 40 hours, we'd get time and a half for the first 4 hours of that extra shift and double time for the last 8. Part timers loved flex because they'd get time & a half for flex even if they only work 16 or 24 hours a week normally.

Now, we just get "premium" pay for "extra time"; an extra $4/hr and time & a half over 40 hrs a week. Oh well, it's still extra money I wouldn't be getting if I stayed home watching TV!

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