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
When I worked solely LTC, it was every other weekend, 12 hours, the F/S/S. It sucked. Every other weekend came around FAST. Did that for about a year. Now I'm in clinic and I took an every 3rd weekend charge nurse position in a different LTC--they are 8 hours on S and S. I love it. And I pick up other weekends when I want, it's awsome
Depends on the unit and how it is staffed. Our matrix calls for minimum 16 nurses per shift. We are required to sign up for on whole weekend (Sat-Sun) and one split. We can work every other full weekend if needed for staffing.
We we worked every other for a lot of years. Several of our smaller units still do. Part of being a nurse.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
My place of employment requires us to work every other weekend. Although I do not have an active social calendar, constantly pulling every other Friday, Saturday and Sunday is hellish for me, compounded with the fact that these are 12-hour night shifts.
We are self scheduling. We have to schedule 2 F/F/S per 4 weeks. They don't necessarily have to be in a row, but that makes more since.
People switch their schedules a lot and many don't work all of their weekend shift. As you gain seniority, you start losing your weekend/holiday requirements and at 25 years you don't have to work any. (Yes, we have many people who have 25+ years on the unit.)
BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN
3,520 Posts
When I worked solely LTC, it was every other weekend, 12 hours, the F/S/S. It sucked. Every other weekend came around FAST. Did that for about a year. Now I'm in clinic and I took an every 3rd weekend charge nurse position in a different LTC--they are 8 hours on S and S. I love it. And I pick up other weekends when I want, it's awsome