What's up with the 8 hour shifts and 32 hours/wk?

[SunDazed, BSN, RN]

I have been watching the job market in northern California for the last couple of years. I am finally free to apply for jobs and to plan for my relocation. I have acute care experience in med/surg, so no new grad woes.

I am happy to see that there are more than just per diem positions available, but what is the thinking with all the part time jobs? It looks like there are more 8 hour x 4 shifts a week than I recall seeing before the economy tanked. Are more hospitals moving back to 8 hour shifts? Is it to avoid overtime? Are nurses actually picking up a 5th shift every other week or so anyway?

What I fear with 8 hour shifts is being asked to stay over and ending up working 16 hours. In an emergency it's one thing, to have it asked of staff regularly defeats the whole idea of 8 hours is safer than 12.

[teensmom]

I work at a hospital in San Francisco, most of us work either 32 hours a week or 24 hours a week. The pay is quite good and I get fulltime benefits so 32 hrs a week works great for me. The people who work 24 hrs a week either have a family they want to stay home with or pick up shifts at other hospitals, per diem pays even more, but they still get benefits.

I have only once worked a 16 hr shift in 4 years. Lots of people do pick up an extra 4 hours tho. It is a union hospital so if you can't stay, you go home. It's actually a really good deal, I would hate to go back to 12 hour shifts.

[SunDazed, BSN, RN]

I have only worked 12 hour shifts, but I see how 8 hours would allow for a more balanced life day to day. I also really like the idea of being able to make rent on 4 shifts a week. I always dreaded the idea of working 5 days a week at 8 hours a day. Can I ask which shift you work? I am pretty sure I would prefer nights or evenings...

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Many hospitals in CA are going to a 32-hours-per-week model to avoid paying overtime.

[teensmom]

I work the evening shift, my daughter is grown so I love this shift. The traffic is better and I have a lot of time in the morning to myself.

[caliotter3]

It is easier to avoid overtime if you employ a 32 hour work week, than if you employ a 40 hour work week. Employers will always do what is in their best interest, especially when it comes to money.

[teensmom]

Actually, we get overtime for anything over 8 hours daily, not 40 hours weekly so we still get good OT. San Francisco is probably the best paying, benefits and ratios in the US. Our union is pretty strong.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Actually, we get overtime for anything over 8 hours daily, not 40 hours weekly so we still get good OT. San Francisco is probably the best paying, benefits and ratios in the US. Our union is pretty strong.

However, imagine all the overtime money they'd have to pay out if all of you were working 12-hour shifts. This would amount to at least 4 hours of daily overtime every shift.

8-hour shifts help to minimize the daily overtime issue. 32 to 36 hours per week minimizes the weekly overtime issue.

[jojonavy]

Just got a job in Northern California from Los Angeles, and from a 36hr work week to 32. Though less hours the pay is 25K more a year.

[caliotter3]

Just got a job in Northern California from Los Angeles, and from a 36hr work week to 32. Though less hours the pay is 25K more a year.

Higher wages in NorCal is to be expected.

[SunDazed, BSN, RN]

When I worked in California as an LVN in hospitals we worked 12 hour shifts, but they gave us something that said our wage would be averaged for all 12 hours. They paid us overtime for the 4 hours but they averaged it out somehow taking into account the time and half so the hourly wage you saw on the paycheck was less than the averaged amount they said they were hiring you at. Does that make any sense? So they would say you were getting $19.83 an hour but your hourly wage on the 12 hour shift was $17, because by the time they gave you over $25 for the last four hours it averaged out to $19.83.

[RNKPCE]

However, imagine all the overtime money they'd have to pay out if all of you were working 12-hour shifts. This would amount to at least 4 hours of daily overtime every shift.

8-hour shifts help to minimize the daily overtime issue. 32 to 36 hours per week minimizes the weekly overtime issue.

Most places don't pay overtime for 12 hour shifts. It falls under "alternative work schedule" unless you are an 8 hours shift employee and stay over for 12

"The maximum number of daily hours that may be regularly scheduled as part of an alternative workweek is currently the subject of debate. For most employers, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has taken the position that the maximum number of daily hours regularly scheduled in an alternative workweek is 10. (An exception to the 10-hour requirement is expressly set forth in the wage orders for the health care industry, which permits the adoption of alternative schedules which include regular 12-hour workdays.) "

Back to the original posters question. We have very few full time employees. I was hired 32 hours and that is what the majority work with 24 hours being the second most comment work status. I was hired over 20 years ago and have seen very few full-time employees over the years.