Would you work less hours (less $$) for a better shift?

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I have an opinion question for you all. Would you work less hours, which would be less money, to get a better shift? I am training on days before I go to nights. I am to go to nights next month. Our department house a crazy low turn over rate and people can be stuck on might for years! I did a NOC shift; 11-7, when I did a preceptorship and it was killing me (granted it was just for the summer so I did not have a whole lot of time to 'get use to it'), but loved the evening shift; 3-11 (did that one the following winter) They told us they would like to open 2 new positions that would be from 12 noon to 12 midnight; to over overlap shifts. They can not afford to hire a new person so they are hoping two of us with volunteer. The only thing is is that they are both part time. One would be 60 hrs in a pay period (72 is full time) and the other is 48 hr in a pay period. Since you would be part time you would have to pay a little difference for your benefits (full time they pay 100% for employee). I did the math and it would roughly be about 282 less a pay period with all calculations before taxes; just calculating raw 72 hrs vs 60 hrs. I can afford that. I am strongly thinking about doing it if I can get the 60 hr one; of course since I am new I get last dibs on shifts but I am hoping no one else will want to do it because of the less money thing.

What is your opinion? Would you do it?

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Specializes in AGNP.

I am also debating this question. I have been FT nights for 1.5 years and I am starting to get a little tired of living on an opposite schedule as my friends & family. A FT days position was posted on my current floor but was filled by someone with more seniority but shortly they will be posting 2 PT day positions. They would be 48 hours/pp instead of the usual 72 hours/pp. Between losing the night shift diff and working 24 hours less per pay period it would be somewhere around $1,000 difference a month. It is tempting but it seems like it may be too much of a cut in pay eventhough my husband works full time. The major problem is that even if a FT days position opens up the PT days people do not have first dibs, it goes by union seniority so a person from nights could have first dibs on that position.

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I would write down the pros and the cons for both shifts, decide whether or not I could afford it, and then see which choice would make me happier overall. Then I'd go with that one. Good luck! :coollook:

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Specializes in all things maternity.

I used to work FT (72hrs) night shift weekend option. I did this for years. Health problems forced me to seek a day shift and we only had a part time weekend option day shift position open. I took it. I now work 24 hours one week and 36 hours the next for a total of 60 hrs per pay period. I have to say the drop in pay was hard. Its still hard. But I feel so much better and I am glad I did it. I can pick up extra hours now and then. It has worked for me. Good luck in whatever you do.

:paw::paw:

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

There is no better shift if it means less money imo. :D Best wishes with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

I once worked part time for two different units in the same hospital...that allowed me to maintain a full time status with my employer. I had the added benefit that if I was working in unit A which had a low census I could often switch to unit B with a higher census and negate the need for a low census day for a nurse on unit A while at the same time eliminating the need for someone to "float" or get "pulled" to the busier unit B. This ended up making my co-workers in both units VERY happy.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Within reason, I would and have traded less stressful working conditions for less $$. Not everyone is in a position to do that.

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I work per diem so I can work part time and choose my own shifts and schedule at a higher hourly rate.

This only works because my husband has a high-paying job with benefits.

If I was single or the breadwinner, I'm not so sure I would be willing to have less money.

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Specializes in ER.

1200-0000 is brutal where I work. Would I take less money for that shift? He** no! Nobody likes working this shift on my unit. Yours may be different.

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:D
There is no better shift if it means less money imo. :D Best wishes with whatever you decide.
It becomes less better then:D
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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
1200-0000 is brutal where I work. Would I take less money for that shift? He** no! Nobody likes working this shift on my unit. Yours may be different.

Do you think it is worse than 1830 to 0630?

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I've worked nights alot of years, but I want to switch to days. Here's the deal: It won't be on the floor. The next change I make will be for better hours during the day.. No weekends or holidays. It will mean less money but hopefully by the time I can make this change I will be financially better off all the way around. Someday I will be old.. and night work only ages me faster. I can't see being 60+ years old and still working the floor. That is a very depressing thought.

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