What is your schedule like?

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2009

There's a lot of flexibility. I work part time which for me is 2 12 hr shifts per week. At my request, I work every weekend, Sat and Sun night. Since there are a couple of other old foggies who also like to do this (in our place weekends are generally quieter and we're old and tired) the rest of the staff don't have to do too many weekends. This is not typical.

The winter holidays have a sign up sheet to list your preference for working Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years day. One of the 3 is required. Christmas is the most wanted off, so if you were off last year, you'll probably work it this year. Since I'm not Christian, I always choose to work Christmas Eve and Day so those with kids can be off.

Nurses tend to be helpful and flexible people, so no matter how each individual hospital works its schedule, you can usually trade around with someone else.

Midwest4me · Apr 6, 2009

I work four 10-hour noc shifts and have Sat, Sun, and Mon off. Works well for me.

BookwormRN · Apr 6, 2009

Our unit has all 8 hour shifts. I work 3 8 hour evening shifts per week---I want to be part-time and I love evenings.

We all work every-other holiday

Example: this year, I work New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Labor day and Christmas.

Next year, I work Good Friday, 4th of July, and Thanksgiving. This is set in stone, unless you trade with someone. Seems to work well---I always know which Holiday I have to work, so can make plans.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 6, 2009

I work weekend option, Fri/Sat nights, 2 12s. We rotate holidays work one set one year, work another set the next, for the major holidays. Minor ones we sign up for 3 each year (Easter, Mothers/Fathers Day, July 4, Labor Day, Memorial Day). There are a lot of people I work with that do 12s only, others do 8s only.

hoppermom3 · Apr 6, 2009

I am scheduled for 3 twelves a week, including every other weekend. However, 1 or 2 of those shifts I may be put on call. We are only promised 3 shifts per pay period as full time ob nurses.

natusia84 · May 18, 2009

I work 3 -12h shifts and its the best thing ever! I'm off 4 days a week, so thats plenty of time to go to school, run errands or simply sleep in. At this point in my life, I don't think I could ever work every day of the week!!

CMCRN · May 24, 2009

I work 7 8hour shifts per 2 week period. Christmas and New Years rotate, on one off the other. Other holidays are voluntary and because of 1 1/2 times pay, popular, but if not fully staffed then lowest seniority is mandated to work. You can trade. I work evening shifts always, and weekends are every other until 25 years then only one weekend.

IndigoCarmine · May 29, 2009

I work three 12hr night shifts a week as a travel nurse (1930-0800) and I wouldn't have it any other way, no sir!

As a traveler I'm discouraged form working any holidays (imagine that!) but back in my staff days Thanksgiving, Easter and Jewish holidays were a total crapshoot while Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and NYE and NYD were rotated yearly as a disastrous three-shift-holiday-destroying run.

In other words, if it was your turn to work Christmas you worked 12/24,25,26 and if it was your turn to work NY you worked 12/31,1 & 2. LAME!

One of the biggest reasons I left my staff job was how we handled holidays.

Dustie4420 · Jun 6, 2009

I work three 12 hour shifts from 7p-7a. I Normally do three in a row and try to schedule so I have off for 5-7 days in a row. We basically do self scheduling with one of the more senior nurses who approve the schedule before handing it in to the manager. As far as holidays we have three summer holidays and three winter holidays, we are required to work one each and rotate each one every year. Also, weekends we work every third weekend and require one on call shift per month, 12 hours, for a full timer.

LDRNMOMMY, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2009

I HATE my schedule, but where I live this is the only option for working and I am happy to work. I love my co-workers and the docs, I just hate the schedule. Right now because we just lost a few nurses due to military PCS and their replacements have not arrived yet we have to work 7 12hr shifts per 2 week period plus one day of weekend call. I am hoping this will get better once the new nurses are incorporated into the schedule. We rarely get 3 days off in a row.

RNBelle · Jun 22, 2009

I hate my schedule also. 7 shifts in 2 wks and one night of call. Lately it has been 8 shifts a week because we have also had some nurses leave. I am exhausted and getting burnt out quickly! I am hoping to be PRN in Sept.