Phasing out noc shift differential in acute care?

BrandonLPN, LPN · Oct 24, 2013

Hospitals in my area are not hiring unless it's per Diem. I've always thought day shift deserves a differential because the work is harder, pts going off floor for procedures and tests, finger sticks for 3 meals, endless visitors, multiple MD's rounding and discharges. I've worked NOC shift and in my experience, pts get their PM meds, sleeping pill and most are out for the night. Of course there are always unstable pts that are the exception, but change in condition can occur on any shift. I wandered up and down the halls from MN to 4am, checking suction and stocking med carts so I could stay awake.

Dayshifters work harder than night shifters?

Careful who you say this in front of. :)

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2013

I always thought shift differential for nights was a nod to the massive lifestyle and sleeping adjustments many (most? I know some people do live a night lifestyle) people have to make. Plus apparently we die earlier, too.

I mean. Most noc shifters that I know will accept that truth that on most units, days are always *consistently* going to be busier than nights. Yet there's usually a waiting list to go to days on many units despite the perks of night shift. I think that speaks volumes to the havoc night shift can cause to a person's social life, sleeping schedule, family life, health, etc.

BUT I DIDN'T MAKE THIS THREAD TO GET INTO THIS TIRED OLD ARGUMENT

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Oct 25, 2013

They actually reduced the night differential at one of the hospitals I work. They lost some good nurses that is for sure.

I used to work nights, but I hated it. To add insult to injury, nights did not pay all that well. At one hospital, it is only 1.66 dollars, and the other hospital, it is only 2.00 dollars more.

Do-over, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2013

I prefer night shift, but if they took away the diff, I would go to days. My diff is OK, but I think it should be more.

If there is no difference in pay, then there is no difference in shifts. Everyone can swing then, right?

Caffeine_IV · Oct 25, 2013

I would still work nights because it works for my family better but I think taking a paycut for doing the same work really sucks.

SoCalGalRN · Oct 26, 2013

My night shift differential is low for the area at $3.75 an hour. I work nights because I thought it would be a good place to learn as a new grad and $7,000 a year made a big difference for us. I hate it, I feel terrible, and my life is basically in shambles. I can't wait to switch jobs and I will only be looking for day positions.

bamaguy1989 · Nov 16, 2013

I would be ******! I get $2.70/ hour for nights, $1.50/hour for weekends and $1.50/hour for charge nurse. I need all the extra money I can get!

TerpGal02, ASN · Nov 16, 2013

We do 8s where I work. Our evening shift diff is higher than our noc shift diff too. We have recently had a helluva time retaining noc shift nurses and as a result are having huge staffing issues. No one who works days would deign to pick up a noc. Those of us evening shifters that are more night owls (like me) are loath to pick up nocs in substitution for evenings because you're losing $2 an hour. So now it's mandate city and we get double time for a mandation. I don't see the staffing probs going away. They would probably save money increasing the noc diff and have people volunteer to take nocs rather than continuing to pay double time for all those shifts.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Nov 17, 2013

Back when I was working in the hospital they paid us $1.00 an hour extra for working 2nd shift and $1.50 for working 3rd. Then they went to 12 hour shifts and it was just $1.00 an hour for the overnight shift. When they eliminated Baylor, they required everyone to rotate weekends and there was no weekend differential.