Weekends only "Baylor Plan", how realistic is this for a new grad?

waterlily · Jun 30, 2005

posting again, hoping to get some replies... :-)

BabyRN2Be · Jun 30, 2005

Hi Waterlily,

I'm really sorry that I don't have a lot of the answers that you are looking for, but I'm wondering what a "Baylor Plan" is? It sounds like you'd need to be at that hospital for the whole weekend.

The only thing that I've close to that around here is "weekend option", which is working 3 12 hour shifts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and have the rest of the week off. If this is what you are refering to, I've known many new grads who have done this plan and it hasn't been a problem. Granted, I'm not a nurse, but I do work closely with them.

You won't be working "so few hours" as a new grad, it's the same as FT and if you are very well prepared, it wouldn't be much different from working a different type of shift.

The weekend option became very popular about 10 years ago, when the majority of nurses were working 8 hour shifts. Now that 12 hour shifts have come along, more nurses are working this than not, whether it be weekends or any other day of the week.

I don't see much difference between the two options, if the "Baylor Plan" and the weekend option are the same.

BTW, although I'm not a nurse, I do have this information from two sources: I work as a labor doula in L&D and I do see a lot of new grads who work 12 hour shifts (as everyone does by now it seems like); also, my mom is a nurse and she'd tell me all the stories of new grads and from what I understand, she didn't have a problem with those who worked weekend option.

I do hope that this helps you somewhat. I wish you the best in your career goals!

waterlily · Jun 30, 2005

thank you for your reply BabyRN2be

good luck in your studies and career too!

:)

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 30, 2005

My hospital gave up its "Baylor Plan" years ago because it wasn't econmically feasible for them. They however, have a "weekends only" option that includes some of the features of a traditional Baylor Plan. (There is a little more per hour, but not equal to full time pay and benefits are pro-rated.) So ... if you can be a bit flexible, you might find something that would be similar to your ideal job. But keep in mind that few things in real life matches the ideal in your dreams. You will need to be flexible.

Also, we would not hire a new grad into such a position. We would insist that she go through orientation and reach a stage of competance in her development before we would allow her to work such a schedule (which would normally take 6 months to a year). A new grad usually needs her learning to be reinforced on a regular basis and would probably not get sufficient reinforcement with having long stretches off during the week. Also, there are usually fewer resources available on the weekend to monitor and assist the new grad's development. Working a normal number of weekends is fine (or even a few more weekends than usual), but we would not want a new grad working ONLY weekends until AFTER she had made the transition successfully to staff nurse. So again... if you could be flexible for a while ... you could work towards a schedule that would suit your needs ... but, at my hospital, it would not be waiting for you the day you graduated.

Good luck,

llg

NPinWCH · Jun 30, 2005

Hi Waterlily!

When I first started working at the hopsital I am employed at (over 10 years ago), they had a Weekend Only program which meant you worked Sat and Sun 12 hr days or Fri and Sat 12 hr nights. Everyone loved it...the weekly people didn't have to work weekends and the weekend people only had to work 2 days.

The weekend compensation was figured this way: Take the amount that person would make hourly during the week so say $20/hr, multiply times 36 hrs (the normal work week for full time) $720/week then divide by 24 (the hours they would be working) $30/hr ended up being their hourly rate. They also received all full time benefits such as insurance and vaction time.

Administration axed the program about 7 years ago because it was for the nursing dept only and other depts were complaining. Also according to administration anytime one of the weekend program people worked during the week or overtime they received the $30 incentive pay which was costing them, "too much money". Recently there has been discussion about reviving the program due to the nursing shortage. I really wish they would! There are many RNs that left when they ended it and many that would come if we offered it.

My only issue with having a new grad in this kind of program is the limited number of hours you work each week. I think it might be hard to orient and learn labor and delivery on a weekend only program. In fact our hospital had a minimum of 1 yr experience to apply for that program. On the other hand if you had a hospital that allowed you to orient throughout the week for several months then you might be ok. The orientation at our hospital for OB (we do labor/delivery/postpartum and nursery) averages about 4-6 months. The first 2 of which are Mon-Fri 7a-3p, then 7a-7p (36 hrs) on days for 1 month and then usually ends with the rest on 7p-7a.

I hope some of this helps! Good Luck

Debbie

babynursewannab · Jun 30, 2005

Hey Waterlily,

I'm a new grad (Dec. '04) and I'm in the first position on the wait-list in my unit for Baylor. Our hospital has four options (all 12's):

1) Friday night and Saturday night

2) Friday night and Sunday night (you pretty much have to wait for a death of a coworker to get this one)

3) Saturday night and Sunday night, and

4) Saturday day and Sunday days (lovingly called "Baylor DAYS")

These nurses are by far the happiest nurses I work with. Then, one shift during the week, if you want, and you've got extra $ going in the bank. For me it means saving about $800/mo on childcare. So it would really help.

I wouldn't hold your breath on getting a position straight out from school. I've been working as an RN since Feb and my name wasn't allowed on the list until recently.

Good luck!

-Alyssa, RN

NursePamela · Jun 30, 2005

Very few hospitals I know have a weekend program anymore. The baylor pay, if I am not mistaken was time and half. If you find somewhere with a program now it is work 24 get paid for 36 or something similiar. Most hospitals will offer at least $1 more an hour for weekends but it is not a weekend only thing.

julesner · Jun 30, 2005

Hi Waterlily;

You've gotten some good advice thus far, but I wanted to add a few observations for your consideration. I work at a hospital that has what some of the posts here have referred to as, "weekend option." Very few hospitals that I've noticed still call it the Baylor Plan. I've done what you're planning to do for years and for the same reason...child care. Paradoxically, the profession you want to enter is primarily female, but I've never seen a schedule conducive to raising a family. Baylor, w/e option, whatever its name is the closest I've ever seen to that end. At times I've agreed to a set schedule of working Fri, Sat, and Sun nights to get the extra night plus w/e diff. I currently work "w/e option" Friday and Sat nights. Depending on the need, a nurse may choose Fri/Sat days or nights, Fri/Sun days or nights, etc. Some work 2 -twelve hour shifts and pick up a 12 hour shift during the week. It depends on the need of your unit vs. the hours you are able to work/need. BTW, I am considered part time, but I get full time benefits including 403b, except I am not eligible for short term disability. I work at Children's Hospital of Atlanta-Egleston Campus. If you have a husband, this can work out wonderfully for you because you save a ton on child care and have the week off with your children/spouse.

As far as your concern with not having enough or getting enough experience working 24-36 hours on the weekend, I don't see a problem. On a typical 12 hour shift schedule, it's not like you'd work consecutively for more than 2 or 3 shifts anyway. However you slice it, there are still 7 days in a week. As a new grad, you're going to have a longer orientation-typically 6 weeks or longer. Then, when you're ready to go to nights, if you do, you'll more than likely be paired with a preceptor for a few weeks. The nurses you work with will know that you are new and will be able to answer questions once you get to that step. I still ask questions and so does everyone else. It's the nature of the beast~no one knows it all and can't in this business.

It would be helpful to you, I think, if before graduation you get a nurse extern/unit secretary/nursing assistant position on the type of unit you want to work on that has an open position far before graduation. That way, while you're getting acclimated to the unit, the unit is, "showing you the ropes." I'm crrently precepting a nsg student who is doing this. Make no mistake, they're also checking you out to see if they want to hire you once you've graduated and you're licensed. The key is to get in the door and work with your unit manager. Best of luck to you and I hope this has helped!

ccusherry · Jun 30, 2005

Hi Waterlilly,

I work the week end option at my hospital. The hospital budgets "x" amount of positions house wide and they are very popular. I work 12 hour nights...Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. I receive base pay + 30% shift diff and $5.50/hour more on top. In addition to the monetary benefits, the week end position carries a lot more responsibilty and autonomy. I don't know how a new grad would work. My nurse manager's response to those who have applied for such a position and does not have at least one year experience in our specialty area is that over the week end there is not a lot of back up in the way of supervisory staff. Yes, my nurse manager has been known frequently to take a assignment when the need arises. Yes you may have the other nurses who are working with you but they may not be able to assist you when you need it and there could possibly be an adverse outcome. My advice would be, get your "feet" wet, get to a point where you feel comfortable and then maybe you will be ready for a week end position.

BETSRN · Jul 2, 2005

Hello everyone,
I would like to first start by stating that you are all my heroes. Not all nurses are great nurses, but you ladies (and gents) obviously care about your profession and I have seen such compassion expressed time and time again in your posts, I wouldn't mind having you at my bedside any day of the week!
I have been lurking here for the past three years and a burning question has finally brought me out...
I am planning on going back to school and getting my AA in nursing soon. My children will still be young and after the torture that those two years will be on my family, I am hoping to find a position where I could work week-ends only and still be considered full-time (I think an arrangement like this goes by the name of the "Baylor Plan").
What I need your invaluable input on, is whether or not it is realistic for a new grad to work in a hospital under that plan. Is this a plan that is reserved for more experienced nurses? Is it a bad idea to work such few hours as a new grad when I very much need to practice my newly learned knowledge and skills? Does your hospital offer such a plan? What are the specifics of that plan (how many hours/wk, salary, benefits etc.)? And in your experience what kind of people (experience, age, level of enthusiasm for their work) usually work those shifts?
I know I have bombarded you with questions and I hope you will find a few minutes of your very busy and noble life to shed some light on my concerns.
Thank you so much in advance!
Waterlily :-)

I'm not sure a weekend only plan would give you the nursing experience you would need after you graduate. A Baylor (or similar) would also most likely be 12 hour shifts and your family would suffer from you doing those as well.

Personally, I would go for traditional hours (8 hour shifts). If you can be part time, great, but you need a thorough orientation first and then a good consistant schedule so you can hone your skills.

CHATSDALE · Jul 2, 2005

I work w/e option

i work 16 hours sat and sun 6a to 10p...i get paid the equil of 40 hours.the extra 8 hr pay is at the day rate

if i work a day during the week i get incentive pay [$60] but no overtime pay for the first 8 hours extra..

i absoultely enjoy the freedom that this gives during the weekdays

the nurses with school children have a decided advantage on the weekday day shift..