How much is too much?? Help?!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Okay so I'm kinda stirred up right now. I'm a cna, online student, accepted into an rn program and just waiting to start, mom, and mil spouse. Busy Is the simple word.

I am doing this bc i want to strengthen my basic skills for down the road--and i also have to fullfill a grant requirement of a certain amt of employment time. Also i am returning to work from being off while playing mommy for a few years and basically trying to strengthen my resume in all areas. Ive only been with the job for abt 3 months. I need at least 6 months to fulfill the grant requirements and I really dont want to tarnish my new resume by leaving a new job to soon but i have some problems?

I just got home from work and this is my summary. Apologize for errors in advance-it's late and I'm tired!-I was asked to stay over for a second shift. To begin I don't mind staying over on most occasions. Matter in fact I'm averaging a total of three extra shifts per pp right now, usually one mandate and two volunteers just trying to help out-- again per pp. I'm usually always there later than my shift anyway bc I take pride in my work, make sure to do all that I can, lord knows there's never enough time!! and depending on whom I'm working with I don't like to leave a man hanging in that if the other aide is not up to par. When I'm done I usually help wrap things up where i can help.

Unfortunately this my first taste of this nursing field with the exception of some reception and small task assisting work a few years ago in an urgent care setting....I LOVE my job my residents my co workers (for the most part)- none of it bothers me except one thing. I was hired as a part timer 40/ per 2 wks... I'm averaging a hundred or more-of which approximately scheduled for 50-60hrs the rest is extra- I'd say I pick up my fair share of shifts OT and slack--and I don't mind really I can use the experience and money. I'm being mandated appx once a week of which has already taken place this week might I add.

Tonight I was asked to stay. Tomorrow I had plans w my family- hubs works the same schedule I do plus some more including overnights so we are literally just bypassing each other every few days.. In three months since I started ...Tomorrow will be the first day we get as a family all off together so needless to say we had plans for an all day adventure..zoo, shopping, drive in... Were new to the area so were trying to experience some local fun...oh and I have a ton of homework due by sat (today is Wednesday and I work until sat minus tom)... So when asked i requested kindly that i really would prefer not if at all possible but if they needed me i would.

I reminded them that I had already picked up two other shifts and had been mandated this I wk so it really would be better if I didn't bc it would ruin all of our plans we've been patiently waiting for- considering i might get two hrs of sleep...long story short they made some adjustments and sadly made an lpn stay instead.. (she didnt seem too upset once i saw her later but thats neither here nor there) but only after I agreed to stay anyway and the four supervisors on duty then told me it really was going to come down to me being mandated---???? Seriously??? Now how is that I've already been mandated this wk (and its only wed!!) and it's already my turn again?

Then they politely explained that basically everyone on my floor that I worked with has "letters" to get out of it arranged w the nurse manager? Seriously?. And for me to talk to her-- I'm supposed to start my schooling in the spring and already had been planning on talking to her abt dropping back to casual or something but what im interpretting is it doesnt seem like it would make a huge diff at this point...They have made several adjustments to my schedule already but nothing is consistant....Im getting lucky to get one day off per pp at all now.

I'm also lucky if I get 4+ hours of sleep a day anymore bc they float me to so many additional shifts- (normally I'm 3-11) and then I have to do my online classes after every other day. Im barely keeping up! Not to mention- body injuries I've already incurred I spend my off days trying to rest but there's not really time for that considering everything else and it just wears me down more--- this is insane-- I'm really beginning to question the actuality them being able to work around my school work-- I'm not convinced and personally that's priority.

Is it time to just find a better fit for my family prior to school- I hate to leave but this system is so unfair and I don't see anyone else working the amt of hours I do-nor do the others claim that they know anyone doing so... did I mention how all the employees advise me to say no everytime, to turn off or ignore their calls, and always make pity comments when they see me working extra shifts for whatever reason-- I feel this is the problem to begin with?? I don't understand how this place has like 100 employees and only 3 or 4 on the mandate list?.. Something's fishy ???

I explained how I felt to the supers and they were great to me and really honest but I gotta say I was surprised by their answers. They first told me to make sure to have a great day with the fam tom and to go home and rest that they took care of everything (wow I feel terrible like I let them down)-- secondly that i cant fix all the problems of the scheduling im only one person and i work really hard..I think they geniunely care and understand for me and that's why they were so real but the fact is they basically told me-- you're not dumb you see the errors here and we understand but there's not a real solution it's a kink in the system-- I also asked abt the 25 plus new employees they just hired and if they truthfully expected it to change once these newbies were up and running---

Guess what they thought--- yeahhh.... Again sweetie we're not dumb and neither are you--

I'm having such issues with this. I want to help but I can only sacrifice so much up and to a point. Plus is this helping me i feel like im beating my body up before i even get the chance to take my nclex!!!Im really trying not to complain-- but this just sucks...

Any thoughts?..

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I'd find it lot easier to read and follow if you could edit, fix the abbreviations and capitals, put in punctuation, and make paragraphs.

I really may not have gotten the full message, though I think I understand you're hired for 40hrs/2 weeks and you're putting in more than double that. If you don't like that and it's getting in the way of the rest of your life, say no.

Really. I mean it. If the facility has inadequate staffing it is NOT your responsibility, it's theirs.

Who is Tom? I see his name from time to time up there ...

:)

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I have thoughts, which some will find to be snarky. I tried SO hard to follow along, I really did. Is it possible to come back and at least make some paragraphs? I'm tired too and it was taxing on my eyes to read =(

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Wow sorry everyone for the confusion- again it was late and I was flustered so I kinda just dumped it-- (unprofessional I know... Not proud of that but better to vent it out than hold it in and stew. I wanted other opinions from some who have "been here, done this"). I also did this on my iPad rather than a regular keyboard so it was "finger pegged" which doesn't help.

Tom is short for tomorrow

I will try to update on my regular computer as soon as I get a chance to get to it.

Thanks for the current advice thus-far. Yes I am definitely working more than double my hours and honestly I don't mind working the extra time. I actually tried for a full time position from the get go but wasnt selected for it, instead I was given the part time position. I mentioned all that to explain the efforts I do see that I am putting forward. What I do mind is having to say no because no one else will step up and then finding out that "no" really isn't even an option after all because I keep getting the mandates because more than 80% of the staff is "excused" from them including the other part timers?

I also didn't find it fair for an Lpn to have to step down the position but understand that happens and was extremely appreciative.

P.s. didn't even get to stick to our plans afterall today due to uncontrolled events like weather, closings etc but still had a very productive day and was greatful for it even though I was still texted to come in today even after telling them that I couldn't the night before. And also requested and agreed to work another shift this weekend.

What's the point of scheduling? Why not just tell me to come in everyday and send me home if you don't need me- I'm paranoid at this point that I will be called in every min I have off and while I'm ending a shift bc so far I have been- it doesn't help me sleep that's for sure :/

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Specializes in Emergency/ICU.

Hi Channon,

Girlfriend, you have got to take control of your life and say NO. Try it: "No, I cannot stay, I have a previous committment." That previous committment is your LIFE! Figure out ahead of time how much overtime you are willing to put in per week and then when they ask you to stay beyond that, say NO!

You NEED sleep for your health and your sanity. Your family needs YOU! Your supervisors, as nice as they may seem to be, are taking advantage of you. Your guilt toward them is misplaced. So what if an LPN worked the shift THEY DIDN'T APPROPRIATELY PLAN FOR. That is not on you. We at allnurses support you standing up for yourself and having the energy for your family, your college education, and your life!

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I used to have the same problem too. If the facility won't work with you, keep the job but look for another one. Learn to be firm in saying no. If it isn't a firm no, they will punk you around. It has been my experience that a lot of CNAs work two jobs (maybe it's just my area). It could be that a lot of people you work with work two jobs, so they're depending on you to fill in for the extra hours because you only work one and you go to school online.

The worst scheduler I ever had scheduled me for 9 days straight (I was PRN/per diem, and had transferred from a different facility from the same company as a full-time and they wouldn't put me to full-time). They wrote a smiley face on the schedule and Merry Christmas. I had to work 9 days straight through Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Eve. It was a lot of overtime pay, but I was sore all over. Big hugs, and good luck with your schooling and job situation.

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Wow thanks guys- I really appreciate the support... A part of me felt like maybe it was just me and I've been complaining too much but the majority of me felt a lot of the things you mentioned. I'm trying to put my foot down more and trying not to feel bad but also thinking of what to do with the future situation-at the end of the day I guess I have a few decisions to make :/

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Yep, say no. Practice saying it and then put it into rotation of the words you use. My facility isn't up to full staffing at the moment so they call pretty often. I say yes occasionally, but definitely say NO if I can't or don't really want to come in. What are they going to do? Fire you?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You need to set limits and you need to learn the word no. Managers will always go to you because you always say yes...you are their ACE in the whole.

You need tell them you will help out when you can and that you will be saying no....and that if a reasonable solution cannot be reached you have no choice but to seek an alternative employment opportunity. Although..... wait until you have another position.

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Specializes in Med/Surg Oncology.

I hope you gave your 2 weeks notice after that ! :cool:

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Specializes in Med/Surg Oncology.

NO is a wonderful word every health care professional should learn from day 1 !!! Also, you are NOT obligated to answer phone calls or texts on your day off, contrary to what your facility may think. Life is to short to spend every waking minute working or worrying about being called in to work! Be happy ~!

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Wow-at my facility if you are mandated, you are not able to be mandated again for 3 months. My facility does not have my cell phone number, and my home phone has caller id. If I don't want to work I simply don't even answer the phone. If I am already there and they need somone, a simple (and firm) "No, thanks!" is all they need. If a supervisor hears even a tiny bit of 'caving in' in your voice, they see that as a "yes, I'll stay."

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