Weekend Incentive Program/Night shift

[snapjacks]

I'm still in Nursing school, but I am very interested in the Weekend Incentive Program when I start applying for a job. I've heard that the RN basically gets paid a full salary/benefits to work the undesirable weekend shift. I'm not sure if anyone can answer this, but my question is could one get paid extra (the night shift differential) as well if they opted to work nights on the weekends? My boyfriend said that night/weekend nurses get paid more.

By the way, I know I'm probably coming across as a money monger, but I assure you I am just a young kid trying to get on her feet and I would like to continue my education while working!

:)

[CTICU-RN]

I worked weekend nights or or as it was called "Weekend Option" for 2 years. I was paid my base pay + time and a half + weekend diff + night diff. It's really good money but you get get used to making that, so when you come off of it, your paycheck sucks!!! Currently dealing with that right now....my paycheck are $700 less now than they were working weekends, but I guess that's the price you pay to try and regain a little bit of social life again.

[msladynurse4life, BSN, RN]

We also have a weekend only contract for an extra $7 an hour, however our hospital is doing away with this option at the end of the year. It does cost the hospital a lot of money and we are in a budget crunch right now. I did the weekend thing for a couple years now and I had to miss a lot of events. Fortunately, I'm starting a new position next month that will pay me more to compensate for no longer being on weekends. I'm looking forward to having weekends off again!

[snapjacks]

Oh wow, that sounds fantastic. I'm sure that is hard for you! :)

I plan to do the same thing, work that shift, if it's available, for a couple of years while I'm getting my BSN. And I know it's a long ways away, but I plan to eventually work on my Master's so it would be nice to have the experience and save up enough money to go to school full time without having to work.

[snapjacks]

That's great!

I've heard that a lot of hospitals have already or are doing away with the weekend programs. Hopefully there are still some left in my area (New Orleans.) It's really a shame. I believe that one should definitely be compensated for working such an undesirable shift. Times are tough.

[snapjacks]

This is true :)

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Baylor (out of Waco, TX) was responsible for many weekend plans being called "Baylor plan". They still have it though it's usually reserved for those with experience. They have hospitals in Central Texas and the DFW area. Hospitals surrounding them often put up weekend plans to try to compete but most are not as sweet as a true Weekend Advantage (as Baylor calls it). I would think long and hard about working a weekend plan if you are younger and expect to have any kind of social life. You will get tired of realizing that pretty much all social events happen on the weekends. Not as bad for us old married folks.