Special Weekend Shifts?

Dixiedi · Jul 31, 2004

Out of curiousity: Any LPNs currently doing those special weekend shifts where you only work Sat. and Sun. and get paid for 40 hours? What are your feelings on this type of program?

I am returning to acute care in August and one of the hospitals I am interviewing at does offer 12 hours weekend shifts, I am not sure about the other two. hehehe I am hoping the hospital of choice does but it's one of the two I don't know about yet. I'll find out Tues when I go for my interview.

Most hospitals around here require 3 days, not two. Usually every Fri, Sat, Sun.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jul 31, 2004

at my hosp they do not have a work 24 get paid for 40 on th w/e program. they do have a WOW program-work only weekends, where the pay rate is much higher, it is every fri, sat, sun...but they don't offer it to lpns, even though they have problems staffing this shift and we have expressed interest in it....

Saved_by_Grace · Aug 5, 2004

Of course you know I'm just a student, but there are ads in the newspaper all the time here for LPN's in LTC weekend only 6pm-6am. And it says work 24 hrs get paid for 32. So I'd say there are some out there although maybe harder to find. I think it's great, especially for LPN's going back to get their ADN so they can work and attend school. I hope to be able to do this.:) You might go on careerbuilder.com or monster and put in your terms and see if they can match any jobs for you like this.....:) Even though it'll be a while before I start actually working I like to know what is available ahead of time. I'm always checking the want ads..lol

nurseunderwater · Aug 5, 2004

Where I work (hospital) if you choose to go back to school for your RN, they offer a work 24 get payed for 36...they also pay for tuition and books. I am currently working 20 hours, weekends only and get paid well I think, for PRN/Supp.

michelle95 · Aug 5, 2004

One nursing home that I have heard of in Alabama pays LPNs overtime for working 12 on Sat and Sun. This only comes out to about 50 bucks less a week (or so) than working 40. That's not too bad.

I knew of one place that you worked Fri/Sat/Sun 12's and get paid for 40. Giving up every weekend is not worth 4 hours to me...but, I might think about it for 16.

sdd2003 · Aug 11, 2004

hey i live in ma and they have lots of those,they are called baylor programs,

how it works ,work every weekend sat/sun 7a-7p or 7p-7a

i work{nursing home} every weekend 7p-7a 24hrs and get paid 36hrs/evening and weekend diff

and to top it off they are offered to lpns and i am a new grad looking to attend an rn program in sept05 wish me luck and good luck to you:balloons: ]

Midwest4me · Aug 13, 2004

Out of curiousity: Any LPNs currently doing those special weekend shifts where you only work Sat. and Sun. and get paid for 40 hours? What are your feelings on this type of program?

I personally don't recommend it but, of course, it's really such an individual thing. Many years ago I worked at a facility where they had the "Baylor Plan"--work Sat and Sun., each 16 hrs long (6am-10:30pm) and get paid for 40 hrs. It was great for me at the time as I was doing the Regents program for the RN(didn't finish the RN as life just got in the way and our first granddaughter was born:) ). But I worked the schedule for 2 and a half years on an Altheimers' unit, had 2-3 CNAs who also were working the schedule--so we were ALL tired! The second 16 hrs for me turned into 17+ at times. The lack of sleep heightened the risk of med errors and judgement issues and I promised myself I'd never do that again( Mondays I was exhausted and wanted to sleep but my husband had Mondays off and in the summer he would want to go boating and I just couldn't pass up a chance to water-ski :chuckle !).

However, my mind refused to recall the exhaustion and I was tempted into a similar position last year. I'd been at a dialysis company for over 4 years; we had a change in management and many of us decided to leave.I saw the "work two 16hr shifts, get paid for 40" and decided to try it again at another facility. This time the job lasted only 2 mos. before I realized I was crazy for taking it, gave my 2 weeks' notice and resigned. At this facility, it was just one CNA and myself for 18-20 pts(again ALL Altzheimers' pts); both of us doing direct patient care, but of course I was also doing the meds/tx, MD calls, family issues, etc. in addition to toileting pts., intervening in altercations between pts, etc. We were to take half-hour breaks/lunches and I just didn't feel it was safe to leave one of us on the floor with that many pts while the other was off on break so oftentimes I wouldn't take a break--well that leads to more exhaustion. Overall, I tolerated the schedule better years ago when I was younger and more agile, and tolerated less sleep, but in the past few years I've needed more sleep and that schedule is just too hectic for me. Each nurse needs to assess her/his physical ability and sleep requirements to handle that kind of work schedule --it IS only two days' work but if you have to turn around and attend class the next day or get right into studying for a distance-learning program like I was in, it can be very challenging indeed. I wish anyone who attempts it the very best of luck!

Blackcat99 · Aug 13, 2004

I knew an LPN who worked 12 hour night shifts on Fri. Sat. and Sun and got paid for 40 hours. She did it many years but finally quit because she said she was just too tired to do it anymore.

jschut, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

I work 2-12 on the weekends and get paid for 2-12 on the weekends....no biggie. Wish they would pay me more!

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

Our Baylor shifts don't apply to LPNs.

Do include choice of Fri / Sat or Sat / Sun.

TBLPN, LPN · Aug 13, 2004

I work LTC and I work what they call "weekend opt" Although, since I've inquired about this shift, I have found that most weekend opts work you 2-12's and get paid for 32. However, where I work, I have to work 2-12's and pick up an 8 hour shift. I do however get a higher rate of pay than when I was working during the week. I currently work Friday 11-7 and Sat/Sun 7p-7a. I like the hours because I get to be home all week with my kids. :nurse: