Weekend Nurse?

[All4Seasons]

One of the things we're discussing in our PACU to improve staffing in the midst of a shortage is a W/E nurse postion (so we could move more nurses from W/E to W/D shifts - currently 6 w/e shifts are eaten up). He/she would work .8 FTE/pp and would be paid FT wages,pension,etcetc. The range of hours would be 0700 Friday to 1900 Monday.

Does anyone have such a position in their unit,or is in this kind of position themselves? I am considering it myself,if it is approved, for family ,$$, and pension concerns. Thanks!

[Southern Fried RN]

We used to have a nurse who did 7a-7p on the weekends, then call for the nights. They got rid of that position and now we rotate call just like the OR. I guess they figure it's cheaper to pay call 4 hrs than have someone staffed for 12hrs. But it doesn't really work because the call people are there close to a 12 hr shift most Sat and Sun.

We do have one nurse who does overnights during the week, so we are back-up call if she gets crazy. That's nice.

[All4Seasons]

We used to have a nurse who did 7a-7p on the weekends, then call for the nights. They got rid of that position and now we rotate call just like the OR. I guess they figure it's cheaper to pay call 4 hrs than have someone staffed for 12hrs. But it doesn't really work because the call people are there close to a 12 hr shift most Sat and Sun.

We do have one nurse who does overnights during the week, so we are back-up call if she gets crazy. That's nice.

I get it,I think....you're only on call Sat/Sun days AND nights then...no regular list? (we're in 0700-1900 S & S to do waitlist procedures,then call (for emergencies) from 1900 - 0700.

Thanks for responding,btw! :)

[Southern Fried RN]

Every 6th weekend or so, we take a weekend call. There is a list that rotates so you know your weekends in advance. Fulltime takes 1st call, part-time takes 2nd call. The 1st call only brings in 2nd call unless there are two cases coming out at once or a sick ICU vent type patient.

During the week, everyone takes turns for 2nd night call. There is also a set list so you know when your night call should be. however this is adjusted based on that person's regular shift. (ie, the 630am start person isn't usually on call the night before OR if they are and get called in the NM lets them off or come in late the next day)

FT does 4 10hr shifts, PT does 2 12hrs or 3 8hrs. The start times are staggered so the early people leave between 3 and 5pm, then the late people leave between 8 and 10pm. It works out well except when the OR slows down in the afternoon then the NM thinks people should be sent home to save $$$. It messes things up because the outpatient surgery center (ie phase 2) closes between 6 and 8pm. So we end up in a crunch because people have left early and now we are discharging straight from PACU. :angryfire That's another story....hope that answered your question.