If you are a nurse can you make your own schedule?

Good question! The answer is not black and white unfortunately though. It depends on where you work and what area of nursing you choose. For example, if you choose a hospital job with shift work, you are normally hired in for a usual shift. Most shifts in hospital nursing are 12 hour shifts, but there are still 8, 10 and Weekend option only shifts. You would also get additional pay for working evening, nights, or weekend shifts. Keep in mind if you have a higher than usual number of patients admitted, or a co- worker calls in ill, if another nurse can’t be found a Nurse would have to stay over. This does give you a power of negotiation sometimes and we can be creative with this...such as, “I will work another 8 hours if I can be off on Friday.” In a free-standing surgery center that performs elective surgeries you normally have daytime hours. OR in the hospitals, you have set hours, but if cases are running long, you will have to stay over. Also for emergency cases, surgery nurses take turns being on call, for which you Re compensated a bit and higher pay if you get called in for a case. Home Care is somewhat similar. If you work in administration, Education or Infection Control, those hours are normal daytime hours usually. Doctor’s offices normally close on time. There is always plenty of overtime pay to be made. If you need a shift off and the schedule is already posted, you likely can get off if you work out a trade with your co-worker. So, we are flexible, especially if you help others out, they are more apt to help you out. However, we have to keep our patients safe as we can first and foremost. Your next steps would be to think about what kind of nursing YOU want to practice. When I was a new single Nurse without children I could work ER, evenings and nights and lots of hours. After I became more experienced in my practice , married and had children, I got into Nursing Administration as a Department Manager so I could better manage my schedule and be home with my family at the traditional times...however, one must remember that all shifts should see their manager sometimes as well. Work a late evening and begin night shift or go in early to see night staff and leave early from day shift. Flexible! Good luck in your journey!