schedule question

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Hi all!!

I am still finishing my last pre-req before nursing school next fall and after that I would love to work in NICU.....but I do have a question what are your schedules like?

I have two little boys.....granted they will be a little older when I am out of NS but I am still curious.....the hospital that I would love to work at has jobs listed w/hours as 7p - 7a; so basically 12 hr shifts......is that pretty common and how many days in a row do you typically work? also when is it considered a 40 hr work week?

Thanks in advance!!

Heather

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Specializes in NICU.

Your schedule depends on the needs of your unit. I do three in a row which help me with my kids feeling like there is some normalcy:eek:. 3-12's is considered a full work week even though it is shy of 40 hours. I would recommend that you call the hospital you are interested at and see if there is mandatory call and transport call:banghead:. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Around here, most nursing jobs are 12 hour shifts, 3 days a week, or 3 one week and 4 the next.

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.

our unit has both 8 and 12 hour shifts. Every unit is different and by the time you're out of nursing school, everything could be changed.

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On my unit, 12 hour shifts are the standard but some people do 8 hour shifts (mainly older nurses with seniority). As a general rule, all new grads start off on nights here and work 7p-7a. I'm considered full time at 3 12 hour shifts a week. It always ends up being slightly more than that because of report. Hope that helps!

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

What the others said is about right. Also understand that the vast majority of new graduates start on night shift. As most nursing jobs, expect to work every other weekend and way more holidays than most people think is fair. Not trying to be a downer, just think it's better people know this before they commit too much to it. There are some nursing jobs that have more family friendly times, but those would be office jobs, school nursing, not NICU.

Having said all that, I love working weekend nights and gave up celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25th many years ago. . . It works for some of us.

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Thanks for the replies and that is kind of what I had expected but was not sure......schedules won't scare me away from nursing. With my two little boys I just wanted some kind of an idea of what the hours were like. My mother and husband support me so I am sure they will both be helpful with my little ones when the time comes. And most of the jobs posted for new grads are the "night shift" 7p to 7a; but that's okay too :)

Thanks again for all the replies!!

Heather

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Specializes in NICU level III.

I work 7p-7a in a 2 week period I do 6 12 hr shifts & 1 8hr shift. I have 4 12hr days in a row, 1 day off, 2 on, 4 off, 1 on, 2 off, 4 on. So its not that bad plus I get long weekends off which makes it wonderful!!!

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