Do Nurses Work on the Weekends?

Today we’re answering a question that many pre-nursing and nursing students are probably wondering about. 

Do nurses work on the weekends? Yes, many nursing specialties do work on the weekends. In some nursing specialties, weekends are not an option. In other specialties working weekends can be mandatory.

Below we’re going to cover some of the nursing specialties that typically work the weekend.

We’re also going to give you some food for thought when it comes to different nursing shifts.

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Which Nurse Specialities Have to Work the Weekends

There are of course exceptions to this but generally speaking the nursing specialties that have to work the weekends are inpatient nurses.

What is inpatient nursing? Inpatient nurses are nurses who provide care to patients who have been admitted to a hospital.

To give you an example here’s a list of nursing specialties that commonly work weekends. 

• Med-Surg nursing. 
• ICU Nurses and their subspecialties (ex. transplant nurse and burn care nurse). 
• ER nursing. 

Which Nursing Specialties Don’t Usually Work The Weekends

Many of the nursing jobs that tend to not require nurses to work on the weekends are clinic type nursing jobs (or nursing jobs that primarily deal with outpatients).

What is an outpatient? An outpatient is a patient who has not been admitted to a hospital.

What is outpatient nursing? An outpatient nurse is a nurse who’s responsibility is to care for patients who are seeking care on an outpatient basis.

So for example:

• A nurse that works in a doctor’s office
• A nurse that works in an outpatient surgery center
• An outpatient endoscopy nurse

Please note that many of the jobs in these specialties do require weekend hours even if it’s just every other weekend or one weekend a month.

On top of that many of these jobs might require the nurse being on call, which some might consider worse than having to work weekends.

Pros and Cons of Working Weekends

Here are some of the pros and cons of working weekend shifts as a nurse:

Pros of Working Weekends

1. You’ll Get More Things Done

With no administrative staff around (or at least fewer of them around) you’re going to feel like you’re getting more accomplished.

2. You’re Getting A Day Off During the Weekday

If you’re working the weekend chances are you’re going to get some days off during the weekend you can use to run errands that can only be done during the workweek.

3. Weekend Shift Differential

Most nursing jobs I know that require weekend work usually have a weekend shift differential included.

While it might not seem like much, a little bit here and there starts adding up.

Cons of Working Weekends

1. You’re Family And Friends Are Off

While your friends, family members or loved ones are enjoying themselves at a party or a cookout you’re working.

2. Fewer People to Help If Needed

Remember when I said one of the nice things about working weekends is there’s less administrative people around?

Well, one of the downsides with that is if things get really hectic and you need more hands-on-deck you’re going to find it harder on the weekends than during the weekday.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, that answers your question about nurses working weekends.

Regardless of what your preference is there’s a nursing job for you.

Let us know what your thoughts are in the comment section below.

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