Another night shift question

[dakcp2001]

The answer may be obvious, but I am still a walking zombie trying to get used to working nights so bear with me if my brain isnt that alert. This weekend is the weekend to set the clock back, so does that make my 12 hour shift 13 or how does that work for night shift?

 

[laurie31]

Yep, you get stuck with the 13 hour shift. Usually the same people that work this weekend will also work the weekend in the spring, when it's only 11 hours.

In the "old days" we were only paid for 12 hours, even though we worked 13, because they said it would "even out" when we just worked 11. Well, not everyone worked both those weekends!

Anyway, there is usually a policy on how to deal with it. For example, in the fall we give 2am meds at the first 2am, then the time changes back. In the Spring, we give 2am meds at 1am, because there is no 2am, it goes straight to 3:00. It's confusing even for people who are used to nights. Don't be shy to ask what time you are supposed to do things. (and don't worry, you should be paid for 13 hours!)

 

[dakcp2001]

Thank you for the clarification. As a new nurse I am already trying to hang on to my sanity most days, and then throw in night shift & feeling like a zombie to the mix! Fun fun fun!!! The transition from school to floor has been so stresssssful!

 

[laurie31]

It will get better.

 

[penguin087]

Not a nurse but have worked nights before. I learned its always a good night to burn a vacation day. Hated working that night!

 

[scrapquitler]

The answer may be obvious, but I am still a walking zombie trying to get used to working nights so bear with me if my brain isnt that alert. This weekend is the weekend to set the clock back, so does that make my 12 hour shift 13 or how does that work for night shift?

You probably need to check with your supervisor or HR to know for sure.

Where I work, they don't do anything to compensate for the extra hour or the lost hour. If your shift is 11pm-7am (the normal Saturday night shift), then you get paid 8 hours, even on those nights with the time change. The theory is that normally the regular person would work both the Saturday night in November where they actually work 9 hours instead of 8, and the Saturday night in March where they actually work 8 hours instead of 7, so it evens out.

I was surprised that it works this way, but that's how it is. And the Union is okay with it that way.

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

I was wondering the same thing at my job, especially because I'm doing private duty/home health and the kids only have a certain number of nursing hours allocated to them weekly. Hmmm guess I'll find out Saturday night when I come in

 

[GeorgeG]

When the clock goes back you work 13 hours and when the clock goes forward, you only work 11. Companies may not treat this the same, but my company (8 hour shifts for union workers) paid 9 hours for working the change back and 8 hours for the the change forward (working 7 hours). I was management (12 hour shifts) and as salaried workers we didn't get anything extra.