Working crazy hours

NOADLS · Apr 17, 2014

This profession is full of opportunities that allow flexible people like myself to capitalize on a lot of last minute opportunities. Haven't had a month in the last year where I've worked less than 200 hours.

tarotale · Apr 17, 2014

I also do 3 nights per week. I thought about 4, but I seriously hate my job that if I do anymore, I will probably resort to bullet in my head (lol jk)... until I find a gig that I enjoy, 40 per week is all I can give.

bradons · Apr 17, 2014

my pay cheques are around 150 paid work hours every 2 weeks.

and i say no to extra shifts more often now. but its easy to rack up the cash when overtime is 2x on a day off.

RyanCarolinaBoy, ADN, BSN, MSN · Apr 17, 2014

I usually only work 4 twelves a week, so 96 hours per check. If i'm going on vacation somewhere i might work 5 twelves a week for a week or three...I don't mind the OT and like the money. It lets my wife work PRN/Part time at her job and pays our bills!

rhondaa83 · Apr 18, 2014

I work 6 12 hour shifts in one week, and have the next whole week off...... I am lucky.... My kids are grown up so I can (Do what I want)...

NurseQT · Apr 18, 2014

I just started a new job that will be 80 hrs/pay period on NOCs and I'm already dreading it!! 64 hrs/pay period is typically my max, I have 4 young kids and a husband who works way too much himself! I enjoy my time off and it's exhausting trying to keep my home in order after working so many hours...

PMFB-RN, RN · Apr 18, 2014

Not crazy, pretty standard for many young nurses, in particular young male nurses. When I was younger I used to work the hours you do and more. During one period of my life I worked two or three 16 hour shifts and four 12 hour shifts a week and I did it for a long period of time. Wasn't a problem for me.

Now I have worked myself into a much better paying job and I make as much working 40 hours a week as I used to working 80-90 hours a week. Part of getting here was all the hours I used to work. I gained experience at twice the rate of my peer who "only" worked 36 or 40 hours a week.

If I was still stuck in low paying jobs I would be working a lot of OT, but I simply don't need to now.

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · Apr 18, 2014

I used to do the 100 hrs a check in Florida to survive, but now in MI I work my 40 and still bring home more so I'll pull some OT occasionally and my unit offers it up in 4hr blocks so all I really have to do is then an 8hr shift into a 12. Once in a while I'll cover a holiday for a co-worker with little kids since mine are all teens and know that when momma works a holiday they benefit too lol

ceccia · Apr 19, 2014

i'm working crazy hours because my goal is to GET OUT of nursing/healthcare by the end of the year. Next year I'll be running a hostel in a popular tourist city in my home country. :) I'd rather work crazy hours now and save the start-up money than deal with applying for a small business loan, paying interest, etc. I'm also living in my car because where i am the cheapest smallest apartment in a sketchy neighborhood is about $1000 with utilities and all, and I'd rather save that $1000. When I get a goal in mind, I am on FIRE to make it happen!

Ironically, now that I have a goal and a solid plan to get there, i'm much happier at work. The things that used to stress me to the point of panic attacks, now i can deal with them by reminding myself this is temporary and it's getting me to where I want to be.

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 19, 2014

I work 45+ hours a week, get paid for 40.

LTCNS, LPN · Apr 19, 2014

i'm working crazy hours because my goal is to GET OUT of nursing/healthcare by the end of the year. Next year I'll be running a hostel in a popular tourist city in my home country. :) I'd rather work crazy hours now and save the start-up money than deal with applying for a small business loan, paying interest, etc. I'm also living in my car because where i am the cheapest smallest apartment in a sketchy neighborhood is about $1000 with utilities and all, and I'd rather save that $1000. When I get a goal in mind, I am on FIRE to make it happen!
Ironically, now that I have a goal and a solid plan to get there, i'm much happier at work. The things that used to stress me to the point of panic attacks, now i can deal with them by reminding myself this is temporary and it's getting me to where I want to be.

Good for you!! I wish you much success and happiness :)

ceccia · Apr 19, 2014

Good for you!! I wish you much success and happiness :)

thank you!