Unreasonable offer

Specialties Urology

Published

Hi all,

Just wanted to vent.

I've been working at this facility for over 2 years, got the patients into complience with alot of education and compassion. I know these patients inside and out.

There is an RN that has worked at the unit for 3 - 4 months, but now we are down hours and patient's d/t some getting transplants, moving out of the area, and dying.

This other nurse and I were asked if we would share the 3-12 hour shifts MWF . buy the way the FA called both of us , at the same time,in the break room to offer us this deal, and when I said I wouldn't go to the other unit the FA stated she couldn't understand, and was floored. Of course the other nurse went for this right away.

Offer was, One nurse would work at another facility for 1 week then come back to work at the base facility for the next week. We are to rotate like this. until census goes back to normal. (by the way this other unit is a unit from hell, it's where this other nurse came from). I worked there when I first started, and my legs hurt so bad that I had to go for ultra sounds thinking I had something severe going on with my legs.

I said no, I wasn't going to rotate. I've been at my unit for over 2 years, know the patient's and was only going to work at my facility.

I feel that this offer is a slap in the face, since this other nurse has only been here for 4 months. Of course the other nurse states this is a fair deal, and willing to go for this deal, well I certainly don't think so. Good for her, not for me.

I'm told that the Regional Operating Director will talk to both of us on Monday about this issue, and it will be resolved.

Well I'll either have a job on Monday, or get my walking papers.

Do you think I have a choice? What can I do.

I don't even know if I make sense, but I have to get this off my chest, my heart is beating so hard, I know I won't be able to sleep.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

It sounds as though your supervisor was trying to find a way, (imperfect as it may be) to NOT have to lay one of you off. If the offer is unsatisfactory to you, please be prepared to look for a new job.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I'm sorry about this predicament. . .

You refused to rotate, which makes you appear rigid and inflexible to upper management. Your newer coworker is viewed in a more favorable light, because although she has less seniority, she was willingly flexible with their suggestion to rotate.

As the previous poster mentioned, your supervisor was trying to find a creative way to keep both of you employed. The other nurse jumped on the offer to rotate. You refused.

Unfortunately, the suits in upper management do not give a rat's behind about your compassion, or your knowledge of the patients, or the fact that you've been there first. There's a saying in the business world: If it doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense.

I know you feel the offer is unreasonable. However, if you step into their shoes, they now likely view you as unreasonable.

I wish you the best of luck in this tough situation.

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The thing is they need a nurse for the other unit, to cover open shifts. Also there were 2 techs one that had been there since the facility was open 4 years and the other one with 1 year at the facility (each tech has 5 years experience) FA didn't even hesitate, but told the second tech she had to go to the other unit from now on, no questions asked.

I thought if I request 2 of the 12hour shifts say on Monday and Wednesday, and the other nurse can have Friday which would give me 24 hours, the other nurse could then be scheduled M-Th at the other facility, and cover the holes.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Joni's Mom,

I'm sure your proposed schedule is well-thought-out, but I believe that you are missing the bigger point. Your employer is not concerned with scheduling arrangements for any particular day, week or month, because they change constantly. S/he is attempting to identify the employee(s) most willing and able to be flexible, for this very reason. That person or persons will stay. The others will go, regardless of length of service or abilities.

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I guess I'll be drawing unemployment. As I won't give up my unit.

I still feel like a knife has been twisted in my gut, and the rug has been pulled out from my feet.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm so sorry you are seeing it this way. If you agree to it,you will be seen as flexible and a team player. And in this day and age, to be seen as a team player is what you want. Believe me when or if you go to a hospital, floating is mandatory, no questions asked. I hope that you reconsider this and do as they request. Dialysis is a small community and if you have a reputation as being difficult finding a job might be difficult.

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I don't blame you one bit. They put you on the spot and tried to railroad you. Shouldn't your 2 years count r something? If they value you, they will try to work out a compromise. If not, you will have solved their issue of who to let go. Fair? Heck no.

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Just an update:

Regional Operating Director stated that management wanted 2 registered nurses scheduled for the unit just in case one RN wanted to go on vacation or called in sick, and both RN would know whats going on in the unit, which I understood.

At this time the schedule will be 2 days on 2 days off with the other days the RN's can pick up at the (Hell unit) At this time the other RN will be scheduled at the Hell unit, but for me I will not be scheduled there until I feel I'm ready, but I did state that I was willing to rotate soon. Maybe start 1 day in a pay period then work my way up.

As the other poster stated they would have liked a willingness to except the offer on the spot, which would have showed core values, but as I told her it was like a knife was twisted in my stomach and the rug was pulled out from under me.

So right now I will be getting 24 hours one week, and the next week 12 hours. Obviously she didn't go for the original offer of I would work 2 days/12hour shift and the other nurse 1 day/12 hours per week.

I still have a job and they were not even considering laying me off or firing me since they need the two nurses in the unit. So she said.

Buy the way,

Thanks to all for responding and being there for me.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Joni - your passion for HD is evident in your posts. I hope this works out for you....take care.

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I have read your posts before and it seems like you are a dedicated employee and care about your patients. You try to get the extra input to make schedules and games that get your patients more involved. I am sorry for what is happening to you! I would have been very upset as well. You are learning what I also learned the hard way. You can give yourself, your time. Your energy, and a large portion of your life to your patients. The company you work for will always look at you as dollars and cents and just a number. But your patients won't look at you that way ever, so try not to forget what is important.

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Thank you so much for the wonderful reply. You do get it. The ironic thing is, I had received a special award from the ROD for just that thing the middle of Dec. 2012 and was told the unit wouldn't be the same without me, I make the unit, I'm fun and all other core values. Then 2 weeks later when census are down and only room for one nurse someone comes up with this unreasonable offer. Thing is the tech does not have to rotate "Go Figure"

Thanks again for understanding

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