Question about weekend schedules

Published

Don't get me wrong - I expected weekend and holiday work when I became a nurse. At my current job, I work every other weekend, Fri/Sat/Sun. The 3 shifts in a row are hard enough, let alone them being my entire weekend every other one. I'm usually there between 13-14 hours (again, I know that's often the case with a nursing job).

I'm just wondering how often others have to work over the weekends? I just found out 2 of my friends that work in hospitals and only have to work 2 weekend days per month.

I like my job but the schedule is difficult. Just looking to see if this is the norm or not. Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I worked the hospital floor it was either 3 day weekend shift with a small pay diff, or a 4 day weekday shift. One or the other, no alternating. I've worked every weekend for the past 7+ years because I prefer being off during the week. When I was outpt HD I got Sundays off and I usually still do, but I'm on call now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

How small is your units staffing? I believe the expectation at my hospital is 1 weekend shift every other week or 4 per scheduling period, which is about 8 or 9 weeks.

But I'm not sure because, I too, am a weekend option nurse and only work the three.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.

Every other weekend is a huge commitment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've worked one place that was every other weekend then switch to every 3rd weekend because they were overstaffed on the weekends. My next job was every 3rd weekend. My current job is about 1 weekend per 6 weeks, but there are a lot of permanent weekend staff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Everywhere I've worked, if you work 12 hr shifts, you work every 3rd weekend. If you work 8s, you work every other weekend.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Where I work the official policy is that you work 2 weekend days a month. Some people don't even have to do that, because we have many nurses who want to work weekends only for the extra money. I work nights and for us weekends are Friday/sat/sun. I haven't worked a Friday or Saturday in months.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it is better when employers have staff who work weekends only. Much better for one's peace of mind to know that they will never be asked, or expected, to work on a weekend (if they don't want that kind of a schedule) unless there is a true emergency.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Every third weekend (Sat-Sun)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My schedule is a blur and I wouldn't want to calculate how many weekends I work or don't work, nor do I care. I actually love working weekends and the other charge nurses jump at me at any opportunity to get rid of their weekend for one of my weekdays. Similar to night shift, the "more pay, less work" principle kicks in when it comes to weekends.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If there is a policy here, they don't need to enforce it. The same group of us seem to work all the weekends, almost every weekend, so when the self-scheduling calendar is put out weekends get filled.

Some of us work weekends for the money(good differentials), for childcare reasons, or because it works better when you go to school during the week. Everyone is happy.

There are several new hires who I have never met because I work weekends and they work during the week.

Holidays are a different matter, everyone has to take a turn with those.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I have work at least one out of every three weekends( I work 12s) as per our union contract. I rely on picking up shifts so I work pretty much every weekend.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion