PTO As A Nurse

[PTO As a Nurse]

Hey! I just graduated nursing school and as I'm still preparing for my NCLEX I want to know how PTO usually works in a hospital setting? Do you have to work at the hospital for a certain time to receive it? I have a trip planned next year for 4th of July weekend and I'm scared of not being able to go on the trip in case I'm scheduled to work that Holiday. Will I be able to use my PTO? Or can it not be used for holidays?

[Bug Out, BSN]

Wherever I worked you would accrue PTO at a specific rate per week/paycheck. Now I could take days off outside of PTO, I just would not be paid. Some places were strict however that PTO must be taken. 

Even if I had PTO, taking certain days off, especially holidays, typically was based off of seniority or a lottery. Having the PTO available did not always equal an ability to actually use it. 

When being hired you just need to be open about requiring a specific day off and negotiate for it. Be open, honest, and direct as early as possible.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

When I took my current position, I already had a planned vacation, and I would not have accrued enough PTO for it. It was part of me coming on board that I would be allowed to have that vacation even if part of it was unpaid time. 

Currently, when we are interviewing candidates, we ask about planned time off from before hire, and will work with it when possible as part of onboarding. 

Have you communicated to your hiring manager about your preplanned vacation?

Although a full year in advance may not qualify for the onboarding wiggle room. But, if it ends up being your turn to work, you can always negotiate with coworkers to trade shifts or reach out to PRN staff who may be willing to pick up for you.