Working weekends is one of many conditions viewed as a drawback to nursing as a career choice as it conflicts with the societal norm. The current 50 cent hourly premium falls far short as an incentive for keeping nurses in the health care system and attracting new people to the profession. Nurses have not received an increase in the weekend shift premium since it was first achieved in 1991. As with night shifts, responsibility and work loads often increase on the weekend. Fewer other health care professionals and support staff are available.
Visitors increase, many of whom have questions for nurses.
It is more difficult to cover weekend shifts so overtime costs increase. If weekend shift premiums are increased to the point that more nurses are willing to work them, costs would actually decrease. More nurses are being asked to be on-call than ever before. On-call for nurses was originally intended to capture contingencies for those services which were not available 24 hours. But now on-call is being used instead of hiring more employees or scheduling for casual nurses to work.