Who here works overtime for the extra cash?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2007

I don't allow them to call me in but will stay and extra four hours if they need me, but my motivation is the extra money. Unlike the poster above, overtime makes my paycheck higher and the taxes are relatively the same percentage it always is.......too much.

Forty hours is enough for me and I don't do a whole of of OT.

letina · Dec 27, 2007

We get paid a premium for OT, and it's definitely worth working an extra shift if you need extra $$$'s.....BUT....I've noticed a pattern....if you've worked OT in any given pay period, you're the first to be cancelled or sent home mid-shift if census is low.

For that reason, I don't do it anymore since you end up not much better off financially AND you've had your schedule messed up.

hikernurse · Dec 28, 2007

Double time is too tempting to pass up sometimes, but I don't do it a whole lot. I've got little ones and sometimes the price of being away is too high to pay. If I didn't have a family at home, I would definitely work at least one extra shift a week, though.

But, some people find that at some point OT just ends up going to taxes, so that's something to think about, too.

Weeping Willow · Dec 28, 2007

Is there another reason to work it? Yeah, sure, devotion to patients, service to humankind, but most of us work to survive when you get right down to brass tacks.

I think different states are different as to whether OT starts after 8 hours or after 40. You should check with your state department of Labor or Employee Rights or something like that, secretary of state.

We can sign up in advance or get mandated at the last minute.

wayunderpaid · Dec 28, 2007

Pay for overtime at the facility where I work varies from unit to unit.

The best staffed units do no offer overtime, and if there is a shift here and there, it is paid at the paltry overtime rate (not worth it to me)

Units who are short iuse incentives depending on the amount of hours worked: 4 hour, OT+50 $, 8 hours, OT+100, 12 hours OT+150.

Units who are really short give OT+80/160/240 accordingly.

Hospitals prefer to pay overtime with incentives, to hiring an agency nurse. At nearly 60 an hour, it is really attractive.

I won't come in to work, unless there is an incentive.

wayunderpaid

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2007

OT is anything over 40 a week for me. As an aid, with my unit being so sort, I can pretty much pick up OT anytime I want. Our nurses are in no better of a situation, one of my RN co-workers was just telling me how she worked 24 hours of OT in 2 weeks, averaging over 52 hours of work per week. :uhoh3:

Future-nurse · Dec 29, 2007

Do any RN's on the site have an inspirational story about a crazy month where they worked a huge amount of overtime and had an AMAZING paycheck? please inspire me I would like to hear your stories... =]

Dempather, RN · Dec 29, 2007

ME.

If there's a shift, I'll really try. Downtime is under-appreciated, though. It's important to allow rest.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2007

Do any RN's on the site have an inspirational story about a crazy month where they worked a huge amount of overtime and had an AMAZING paycheck? please inspire me I would like to hear your stories... =]

When I was much younger I worked 8 12 hour shifts in a row, 3 days shifts and 5 night shifts. I was collecting money to move to Florida from North Carolina. It was an insanely high check. The amount is moot because my salary back then was only $14.00 and it's more than double that now.

Here's insane, there was a guy working there that did 40 hours of overtime. He put in 40 hours on one floor and 40 hours on other. He took one day off a week, the other days were four double shifts, and two 8 day shifts. The sad thing is that he had an ex wife and kids who got most of it, and somehow managed to have another baby from his girlfriend on that one day off.

Usually when I need something, like a time when I had two mortgages while waiting for my condo to sell, I can crank up the OT. I'm at a point now where I can relax a bit. But when my car needed $2000.00 in repairs so I could avoid buying another one, I cranked up to OT. I just spent $3000.00 and would like to work some OT, but out census is low because of the holidays.

The lesson, I've learned is to be able to survive on my 40 hours a week for billpaying, retirement, and savings. That's my advice to you. Don't plan on overtime to support yourself and your parents. Learn how to do it on 36 to 40 hours a week and let the rest be gravy.

blueheaven · Dec 30, 2007

How much do hospitals allow you and what is the structure of it?
Is it easy to work the extra hours for the cash?
Does it start right after 8 hrs in a day? or after 40 hrs in a week?
I really want to work like crazy early on until I finally learn that its stupid to burn yourself out over money

The thing is, the more you work, the more the IRS grabs!!! You will find out that it really isn't advantageous to work a lot of OT.

I work in a VA Hospital and we have a rule that you cannot work more than 60 hours in a week.

AprilRNhere · Dec 30, 2007

We get paid a premium for OT, and it's definitely worth working an extra shift if you need extra $$$'s.....BUT....I've noticed a pattern....if you've worked OT in any given pay period, you're the first to be cancelled or sent home mid-shift if census is low.
For that reason, I don't do it anymore since you end up not much better off financially AND you've had your schedule messed up.

We're lucky in this area. We're union, and our contract doesn't allow extra shifts to count against us like that.

patwil73 · Dec 30, 2007

We're lucky in this area. We're union, and our contract doesn't allow extra shifts to count against us like that.

At my hospital also. They have a thing called NRD hours. It goes to pay a nurse who might otherwise be low censused. I don't believe it has ever run out and it pays your normal wage - you just come in and do non-patient care (education, organizing supplies, etc)

As for OT - if you are a 0.6 FTE or higher you get time and a half for every shift extra you work. If you are full time (1.0 FTE) you get double time your first extra shift and then time and a half for all the rest in the pay period.

OT starts after your regular shift (either 8.5hrs or 12.5hrs). Or starts if you come in on an extra shift.

I found it easier to pick up extra shifts (back when I was hourly) when I did 12's. You work your normal 3 and then you are in a groove and can easily pick up one more. Working 8's made it difficult since I enjoyed my time off and staying for 16 really takes it out of you.

My hospital won't limit the amount of OT you work, unless it is affecting your job. However you can't work OT the first 6 months.

Hope that helps,

Pat