pros and cons of being a weekender?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in CT-ICU.

I was wondering if there are any weekenders out there who wouldn't mind sharing their experiences. I'm considering going 100 miles (2 hour drive), out of town to be a weekend nurse in a city hospital.

What are the pros and cons? It seems ideal on the surface, to work 2 twelve hour shifts, and get paid the equivalent of a 40 hour week!

ps. the city is Philadelphia

:smiletea2:

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I have Monday through Friday off, then work two 16 hour double shifts on Saturday and Sunday. I am paid for 40 hours per week under the Baylor plan.

The pros:

1. Having 5 days off in a row

2. Not having to deal with management

3. The relaxed atmosphere on weekends

4. I'm able to attend school full time during the week

5. Receiving full benefits for working 2 days per week

The cons:

1. Never having the weekends off

2. Having to go to bed early on Friday nights

3. It is a struggle to stay awake on Sunday evening

4. Meal preparation for a lengthy shift

5. I'm extremely tired on Monday mornings

After working weekends only, I would have extreme difficulty returning to a Monday through Friday work schedule. I love weekend work and hope that this arrangement continues for a very long time. :)

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give it a shot if you have the stamina :)

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two 12 hour shifts for 40????

WOW

I've done what the commuter did...32 for 40...great stuff if you have babies at home, and a spouse with a "normal" job...

I also did what you are looking at...108 mile trip; fri, sat, sun 3p-3a...every hour was time and a half...PLUS 75.00 per shift to spend on food and lodging...

sounds like you wouldn't need the per diem as you are doing 24 for 40...

I did it for a year, but:

1) got tired of the drive, even though I stayed in the city fri and sat nites

2) missed seeing my family on weekends (even if only for 2 hours/day)

do it!!!

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

I'm doing 2 12's for 36 hours pay, and I love it. We get 4 weekends off a year, no management or administration around, and less BS on the weekends. I will never go back to weekday work in the hospital if I can help it.

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Ok I am a weekender and I need to come to those facilities. Of course I enjoy the pay of working 2 days for 32 hour pay. The only downfall of this is how short of staff my facility has. 2 nurses for 75 residents is a killer. But then again I love that because it creates wonderful experience. I get to handle things that normally the big heads would grab for had I been there during the week. Go for it cause its only two days!

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Wow, we don't have that option here. I don't know if I would do it, but you never know.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I love working weekends and having days off during the week to go to the bank, post office, make phone calls, grocery shop without every other person in the entire neighborhood being there etc. If all the sudden I'm worth more money because of the day of the week, sign me up...I'm ready for holidays also.

Now I'll deny this if ever asked, but I love being able to decline cheesy family gatherings with a great excuse! "Sorry I have to work" so no I won't be doing the hokey pokey at Second Cousin Susie's third wedding, lol.

:cool:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I would probably want to work part of the weekend, but not the whole one. There is something about Sundays that makes me want to be home. But, I can see the benefit. No days off for the doctor, errands and can see all of my favorite documentaries on television, LOL!

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Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.
I have Monday through Friday off, then work two 16 hour double shifts on Saturday and Sunday. I am paid for 40 hours per week under the Baylor plan.

16 hour shifts? Wow! What hours? I'm curious: What time does your shift begin/end?

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Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

I work every weekend.Ilove the autonomy and independance I have.I am also the only nurse on duty.Some of you other nurses are really lucky with the working 16 and get paid for 40 hours!I only work 20 hours,however when the nurses during the week want time off for vacation,sick days ect.Ill work it for them.(or not)I love that flexibility.I also sometimes work the holidays.But thats time and a half.I do get compensated monitarily for working the weekends.I do average 32 hours aweek throughout the year.Im off all week,unless the other nurses ask me to cover for them,which I dont have to do.I guess im not doing too bad for only working 2 days a week.Im paying off my second home this week coming up!!I love being a nurse!!:bow:

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

When I did the Weekend Option plan, nights was paid 40 hours for working 24 and days were paid 36 for working 24 hours. The benefits were full-time and as someone already stated, less BS on the weekends. If you are going to travel 100 miles, you may want to contact hotels to see if you can get a discount rate to stay in them every night or day that you are not working and take the costs of this out when you file your taxes if you itemize.

Working weekends was something that I loved doing and we also accumulated leave, 2 hours each weekend so that we did have some weekends off after a time. You may also want to consider if you are married with a family that it is cheaper to make reservations for vacations during the week than on the weekends. I loved working weekend option, but had to give it up because I returned to school. It all depends on what your ultimate goals are...but I would go back to weekend option in a heartbeat if it wasn't for school.

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