Each facility dictates how they will handle this....and, of course, the Union's input. You can't go in with the expectation it will ALWAYS be 8s or 12s or whatever; it can change between the time you apply and the time you board!
I know, that's the one thing that bothers me. Some floors have 5 8-hour shifts, other have straight 12's. Then some have 4 10-hour shifts. Really goofy IMO.
After long debates, our new VA will be 12s plus one 8 hr shift per pay period. However, as of now, this will only apply to the hospital part (inpatient & ER). The outpatient clinic side is mostly 5 x 8s...
Some of our OP clinics have "compressed schedules" of four 10 hr shifts. I don't think that has happened in inpatient units. I think this all varies between facilities.
My hospital does 6 -12hr shifts and 1 8-hr shift a pay period (every 2 weeks) on the inpatient side... A hospital in our VISN supposedly does 6- 12hr shifts a pay period... Guess it depends on the hospital... Can't hurt to ask!
OUxPhys, BSN, RN
1,203 Posts
Any chance the VA will get rid of 5 8-hour shifts and go to 2 12's and 2 8's?