"Overhire"

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello all!

So, I am a brand new RN, as of last month. I was offered a position at a local hospital this last March, for their nurse residency program. My orientation started Monday, and I just met the charge nurse of the unit that I will be working on yesterday. I had only met the unit manager, previously. The charge nurse took me around with another new grad, that is starting with me. After the unit tour, she was just talking with us and said "oh, by the way, you're an overhire". Having never worked in the hospital setting before, I was not sure what this meant, so I just responded generally and then moved on. However, after reading about this, I am worried! I realize that I need to talk to my manager about this, but has anyone else here ever been an "overhire" and does this mean that everyone on the unit is really going to automatically not like me/going to give me a hard time? Because, basically, that is what it seems like (from reading other articles/blog posts). I was never told this during or after my interview/acceptance of the position. The other new grad working with me is not an overhire. I talked to an experienced nurse, who used to be a nurse manager and she stated that this charge nurse should have never told me that and that I should maybe look into changing units, if possible. Any other thoughts? I am worried!

Editorial Team / Admin

Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN

6 Articles; 11,658 Posts

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

What is the definition of "over hire" you are using? To my knowledge, it means that there are more FTEs than allotted for (not needed, because we all know nurses are being asked to do more and more with less and less). To me, that means people may be looking at having shifts canceled or having to float to another unit.

The charge nurse did not elaborate, however that is what it seems like (from talking with other people with hospital experience, starting at the same hospital). It just seems like the word has been used very negatively, overall. I just do not want to start out my first hospital nursing job with everyone automatically disliking me/not wanting to help me out, based on this overhire status thing.

Sour Lemon

5,016 Posts

For what I've seen, it's common to hire more staff than needed. It's assumed that some won't work out (or even make it through orientation). I've never heard of specific individuals referred to as "over hires", though. You could choose to believe that they liked you so much that they created a position for you. I think that's what I would do. :smug:

crazin01

282 Posts

Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

I have never heard of that, but suppose from a business perspective it makes sense. (reminds me of these recent issues passengers encounter with airlines selling an extra number of tickets, so less of a loss when some folks are no-shows)

It seems facilities have to do something to combat more new nurses leaving their position even before orientation is complete.

I don't think you should be nervous about not being liked by colleagues. Not that it would be easy to not be concerned, but it might become evident to your fellow staff members, (in your actions, non-verbal cues, etc.).

HappytobeARNP, MSN, APRN

1 Article; 31 Posts

I don't think you should let the "overhire" thing stress you out. The more you worry the less you will focus on patient care. There are plenty of "regular hires" that don't work out so it's not a big deal. I would focus on learning as much as you can. Do your best and prove why you deserve to be there. If you are good at your job they will keep you regardless. Don't ask anymore questions about it and stay away from the gossip. Take opportunities to learn from other nurses and help out as much as you can.

Welcome to nursing!

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

Just because you were told this does not mean other people on the unit also know this information. Just do the best you can on learning your new job and getting along with the others. Don't read into things.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I think you need to ask your charge nurse what she means by "overhire". Assumptions are the worst.

People will have to get used to having you on board. Some will be friendly right away and some will not. Anytime anyone is hired there is some disruption for some people. It will pass, but it's important not to psych yourself out thinking that people won't like you based on your interpretation of the word "overhire".

So ask, "what's an overhire?"

Then be as nice and helpful as you can and be a good learner by taking direction and advice.

klone, MSN, RN

14,786 Posts

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Our unit just hired three new grads (all who had done their preceptorship on our unit and were hoping for positions on the unit) as "overhires," although we call them per diems. Basically, we don't have any permanent positions available, but we still wanted them to work for our unit because they all did a great job during their preceptorships. I made this VERY clear to them in the interview/job offer process, and all three still wanted to come work for us.

Doing it this way allows them to get their foot in the door with our unit, so that as soon as a permanent position DOES open up, one of them will most likely receive it.

Hiring them in this status would not cause any hard feelings amongst the other staff because per our union contract, low census call-off is based on seniority and premium pay status, so low seniority and per diem nurses would get called off first.

JKL33

6,768 Posts

I would focus on learning as much as you can. Do your best and prove why you deserve to be there. If you are good at your job they will keep you regardless. Don't ask anymore questions about it and stay away from the gossip. Take opportunities to learn from other nurses and help out as much as you can.

Welcome to nursing!

Excellent advice!!! You simply can't go wrong with making the most of every learning opportunity. I "second" all of the above. Stay away from the nasties, learn all you can about the patients and their conditions and your nursing role, and work on developing a healthy rapport with your teammates.

Best wishes ~

TriciaJ, RN

4,328 Posts

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
The charge nurse did not elaborate, however that is what it seems like (from talking with other people with hospital experience, starting at the same hospital). It just seems like the word has been used very negatively, overall. I just do not want to start out my first hospital nursing job with everyone automatically disliking me/not wanting to help me out, based on this overhire status thing.

Why are you assuming that you won't be "liked" and why is that your main concern? You got a job. You'll be receiving a paycheque. It's now up to you to show your work ethic and interpersonal skills and focus on becoming the best nurse/coworker/employee you can be. If someone washes out of their orientation, goes on maternity leave, abruptly quits or drops dead, they'll be glad they have you on board. If none of those things happen, you'll get a transfer to another unit with a glowing recommendation.

You've been given an opportunity. Make the most of it until something changes.

Cowboyardee

472 Posts

I would not worry about the other nurses being mean to you. That's not going to happen unless 'overhire' means something much different than I think it does.

Generally, that you're an 'overhire' should only mean that the unit is hiring more nurses than it strictly needs to meet its staffing ratios at the current time. Your unit may do this so it doesn't wind up in a staffing shortage when nurses leave (as they invariably do), or it may be offering up staff to float to other units. Thing is, normally there's no real difference between a nurse who's an 'overhire' and one who isn't - it's just a matter of when you got hired. So if nurses on your unit have a problem with losing shifts or being floated, they typically won't blame you - it's management's policy. You're just another nurse.

The one thing I would watch out for is making sure that management doesn't have any different plans for you than it does for the nurses hired before you. I don't know why they bothered telling you that you're an 'overhire,' since it typically doesn't really matter from your perspective - but make sure you're still considered full time (if that's your understanding thus far), aren't offered up to float before the more experienced RNs, aren't the first up to be cancelled if your unit is overstaffed, have a position waiting for you after residency even if no one else leaves, etc.

Assuming you're hired as a regular employee with the same policies that apply to everyone else, you've got nothing to worry about. And to be honest, hospitals aren't really in the business of putting new nurses through residency (which is expensive) without any intention of keeping those nurses as full time employees afterwards. That's just bad business. Ask a few questions, but don't get too worked up.

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