Weekend schedule. Thoughts?

[NewRN_SW]

Hi all! Here is a little background. I am a new RN and really wanted to get into this organization, better pay, better benefits. Got an interview for a FT inpatient med psych unit job (night shift, 3 12’). The administrative assistant when he called to set up an interview, he said it is a Wednesday night to Friday night schedule but he didn’t sound so sure about it. So here comes the day that I got offered the job, HR called me and of course I accepted it. While I was on the phone with HR, the administrative assistant was calling me to tell me that the schedule he has for me was Friday night til Sunday night and could potentially change in the future since he changes the schedule every 6 months. I felt disappointed. I don’t mind working every other weekend but the “every weekend schedule” is throwing me off. My husband gets the weekend off, we don’t have kids. My family also don’t work the weekends so I already feel like I’m going to miss out on things. I messaged the admin. assistant if they could be flexible in letting me work Thursday night until Saturday instead of the Friday night to Sunday night so I can at least have Sunday with my husband and family. 
 

Any thoughts from nurses working just weekends? I still plan on pursuing the job because I really want to get in, just need a little push to work every weekend. 

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I certainly would not want to work every weekend. But there are some nurses who do work every weekend for various reasons. Unfortunately, Novice nurses usually end up working more weekends and holidays than senior nurses in the beginning. I turned down a nursing job for that exact reason before. I would suggest working it out for 6 months, since the supervisor changes the schedules every 6 months. Or wait to speak with your supervisor, in the nursing world people don’t really care much about you having a family. I work as a single parent mom and I still get calls to work as if I am a machine. Asking to space your work days out is another option. 
 

The supervisor could either except it or reject it. It sound as if they have weekend staffing issues. 

[JKL33]

(Dilemma: Which of two opposite replies should I post? ?)

A) Do you have other job prospects? If not then maybe it's best to get your foot in the door at this place that you wouldn't mind working and then maneuver from there into a better position eventually.

B) ? Why the lying, though. No one was confused about the fact that they were hiring an all-weekends position. Seems so unnecessary to play games about it. Just me, but if my first encounter involved a pretty big "convenient" lack of information it would put me off of this place big time. Very few people (I'm guessing) working inpatient (3) 12's get offered a schedule involving specific days of the week....unless it's weekends.

I'd go with A unless you have other viable options, in which case I'd try for a place that can manage to not have the very first interaction consist of such obvious game-playing.

Best of luck

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

"The administrative assistant when he called to set up an interview, he said it is a Wednesday night to Friday night schedule but he didn’t sound so sure about it. " Sounds like you weren't sure of the schedule and they weren't sure of the schedule. What is clear is, you really want this position. Give it the six months and see where it goes. You still have four evenings per week to spend with husband and family. 

Good luck hope it works out for you.

[NewRN_SW]

Thank you for the insights. That’s what I am thinking, is to get my foot in and hopefully move around the hospital because it is a huge one. My husband is very supportive and that’s keeping my head up. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Just noticed you seem to be using your real name. Change that STAT. We are anonymous here for many reasons. Starting with... you really don't want your new employer to be able to follow you here. ?

 

[NewRN_SW]

Oh boy I did not even notice that. Thank you!