Nurses of all kinds are essential to the medical field. They are the cogs that keep the machine working, but nurses need time off to continue working efficiently. For those searching for “LPN jobs near me,” it’s important to know what kind of time off you can expect. It’s vital to receive adequate rest and recuperation.
Most people know that being a nurse is not an easy job. Patients’ lives and well-being rest in their hands on a daily basis. It’s important that nurses get time to rest and have a life outside of work. This ensures that nurses are working at peak performance. Let’s take a closer look at what work hours and time off looks like for an LPN.
What are the Work Hours for LPN Jobs?
Work hours for nurses depend on the facility you work in and the type of schedules these facilities offer. While schedules can vary, there are a few standard shift models that most hospitals and medical facilities use.
- Three 12-hour shifts per week: This schedule is common for hospital nurses, and other facilities that serve patients around the clock.
- Four 10-hour shifts per week: The ten-hour shift schedule is a little less common. It’s mostly used for private practices, medical clinics, and sometimes in hospitals.
- Five 8-hour shifts per week: This is a more traditional workweek schedule that fits better with schools, private practices, and medical clinics.
- PRN: This is an acronym for “pre-re neta” which is Latin for “as needed.” Nurses work as needed and don’t have a set schedule.
In hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes, the three 12-hour shifts are also rotating shifts. These types of shifts don’t change in timing, but change based on who covers them. Nurses swap out who works the day and night shifts. The specific schedule of who-works-what shifts and when, depends on the facility, but often the shifts are distributed evenly. At some point, all employees will cover each type of shift throughout the week or month.
Switching back and forth between night and day shifts can be harmful to your health without proper rest in between. Many LPNs only work three 12-hour shifts a week so there is time to recover.
What Does Time Off Look Like For LPNs?
Time off also depends on the facility you are working for. Every hospital, school, and clinic has a different policy concerning vacation hours and days off. Regular days off depend largely on the type of shifts you are working.
Those working a 12-hour rotating shift will work about three days a week. Every other week, at least one of those days will land on a weekend. The days between shifts and every other weekend will be days off. Many hospitals also have open shifts for staff to pick up when they need extra hours.
For medical offices or urgent care clinics that are open during business hours only, nurses work five 8-hour shifts. These are more normal working hours, which most likely means most weekends are free. Some urgent cares are open on the weekends as well. Weekends may be covered by rotating shifts or a dedicated weekend crew. The same goes for LPNs working in schools. LPNS will only be present when school is in-session.
Vacation days and paid time off (PTO) are unique to the facility you are working for. The average is anywhere between 12-26 days off per year. The number of days you receive depends on the organization’s policy and how long you have worked there.
Find Great LPN Jobs with CynaMed
CynaMed offers comprehensive healthcare staffing solutions in the greater Pittsburgh area. We are here to help you find the job you need, whether you are looking for a full or part-time position or a temporary or permanent job. Contact us to learn more and check out our Ultimate Guide to Nurse Self Care.
