Split days off?

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I am a new LPN, and recently started a job in a LTC facility, in a skilled nursing unit.

So far so good, except the scheduling really bothers me.

I work 5 days a week, 8.5 hours a day. One week I get the weekend off, and the next week - split days off, one weekday and one weekend day.

We have two mandatory in services each month, and this month one of them falls on one of my days off, which means I can't plan to do anything that day.

I work 30 miles from home.

I like many aspects about the job, but it's not my dream job either.

The pay isn't exceptional, and there is a heavy workload.

I went from being a stay-at-home mom with a free schedule, to being an employee without an outside life.

Does anyone else endure split days off?

Oh, and this is the way the schedule works for everyone. It will never change.

Thanks for letting me vent!

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My facility is kind of like that. Every other weekend off, which means one day off during each work week. I like it...but it did take some while to get used to it. Once I got enough time in I was able to take a few extra days a month, which means not working more than three days in a row. I would not be happy about an inservice being scheduled on my day off. IF a service is manditory, it will be scheduled for more than one day.

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

Oftentimes your first new grad position does not have the "ideal" schedule. Seniority and experience plays a role in scheduling and facilities have different ways of doing scheduling.

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Specializes in nursing home care.

We get every other weekend off but always have days off together. It just means you have a long week and a short week. I like having days off together as then I don't get too tored doing overtime.

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Oftentimes your first new grad position does not have the "ideal" schedule. Seniority and experience plays a role in scheduling and facilities have different ways of doing scheduling.

I work with an infection control nurse who has been a nurse for 30 years, ten at this facility, and her days off are split, too.

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Specializes in LTC, Medicare visits.

The facility I work at is good- we have 8hr and 12hr shifts, I never did 12's till recently and like it. Most 12 hr schedules are like Mon, Tue then Sat, Sun then Wed, Thur. Then it repeats- 2 days on 3 days off, 2 days on 2 days off, 2 days on 3 days off. The 8hr shifts also vary, but they try to give you a good block on and off. My new schedule will be M-W-F 7a-7p and I'll enjoy that too.

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Jeanine, that sounds excellent!

For now, they are working me M-F with weekends off, but will start splitting my days off every other week in a few weeks.

Working 5 8-hour shifts is tiring, in my opinion, because I am busting my hump for a few 8 hours everyday, with no down time. We are allowed two ten-minute breaks throughout the day, but I will never have time for them.

In fact, the woman training me said, in 1.5 years, she's managed to get herself 2 of these breaks.

We're just busy.

I could really use more time off to regroup after working 5 days.

But, perhaps it will get easier with time. I am just finishing up my 2nd week.

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Specializes in LTC, Medicare visits.

Don't worry you will get into a routine in no time. It's scary starting a new job and being a new nurse, but you will learn to prioritize and organize.

In the front of your brain always remember that your patients well being and safety come first, paperwork can wait, patients cannot.

Good luck and hopefully you will get into a schedule that works for you.:redbeathe

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You might want to see if Baylor Plan weekend shifts exist in your area.

For 2 years I had Monday through Friday off, worked two 16 hour double shifts every Saturday and Sunday, and got paid 40 hours every week for working 32 hours. It was a sweet deal for me, because I always received 5 days off in a row, unless I volunteered to work overtime or PRN during the week.

I now work 12-hour Baylor Plan shifts on the weekend (6pm to 6am every Saturday and Sunday). I work 24 hours over the weekend, get paid for 32 hours, and have 5 days off in a row. Perhaps this schedule would enable you to have more of an outside life.

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Specializes in LTC, Medicare visits.

So, eldragon, hows it going? Happy St. Patty's Day too. Are you getting into your new schedule and is it working out? Post when you can.:nuke:

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Hi!

Well, today started my third week.

The morning med pass is hard, to say the least. Not hard, difficult, but hard to get it done in the required time allowed.

I'm trying to stay positive about it, but I feel like I'm doing factory work, instead of nursing.

Anyone else ever feel like that?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm trying to stay positive about it, but I feel like I'm doing factory work, instead of nursing.

Anyone else ever feel like that?

I sometimes call it "assembly line nursing."
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