Is Being Loyal Worth It?

diane227, LPN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

I am as loyal as the place where I am working. I can take a lot and put up with a lot but when people start screwing with my money... thats another thing. I have had one situation where we merged with another hospital and the managers had to apply for their jobs again. I got extra departments (went from 4 to 7) and very little raise and no secretary. I finally did something else. They drained the life right out of me.

whodunit · Jan 18, 2009

You are right about the money, Diane,and its true everywhere a nurse works there is a certain amt of crap to deal with but it seems management is really pushing.Now they are messing witth PTO time.New hires only get 6 hrs per 2 week work period {36hrs/week}and you can only use 1 shift PTO in 3 months if you call in sick, plus they will only let you draw 1 shift worth of PTO for every year you've been employed there once a year at Christmas.Also, recently I worked an on call shift one week, then the next week took a voluntary call off but asked manager for PTO to cover loss of the shift.Didn't get it because of the on call shift . The worst thing is you either deal with it/ take it or change jobs !

CathyLew · Jan 18, 2009

I have been at my current hospital for 17 years. The way management acts seems to go in waves. We get management top-heavy, and the cuts start... things get bad on the floors, then they start hacking away at the top jobs, and things get good for a while. then the cycle starts again.

When things get bad, I keep thinking I can outlast the management. there have been at least 5 DON's thrugh the doors since I started, 4 administrators, 8 or 9 nurse managers on my floor. and countless other management turn-arrounds.

the bad thing is, you can be loyal to a place for years and years....if all the people that knew you back then, and knew what hardships you rode out, and what you have given to a facility....if they are all gone, and the new kids are running the show. The loyalty thing doesn't matter to them as much.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

You are right about the money, Diane,and its true everywhere a nurse works there is a certain amt of crap to deal with but it seems management is really pushing.Now they are messing witth PTO time.New hires only get 6 hrs per 2 week work period {36hrs/week}and you can only use 1 shift PTO in 3 months if you call in sick, plus they will only let you draw 1 shift worth of PTO for every year you've been employed there once a year at Christmas.Also, recently I worked an on call shift one week, then the next week took a voluntary call off but asked manager for PTO to cover loss of the shift.Didn't get it because of the on call shift . The worst thing is you either deal with it/ take it or change jobs !

Actually, thats pretty generous. My first employeer as an RN didnt allow any PTO time to be used between Dec. 15th and Jan. 2nd. None, not for any reason. If you call in sick, you lose the wages, no PTO to cover it with. As a travel nurse, I have been to facilities that allow PTO to be used without any restriction at all during holiday times. They end up having to bring in travelers like me to cover the holiday times cause.........everyone puts in for vactation at the same time and those that dont get it call off and use PTO. So, more expensive travelers like myself are needed. I think your facility is going middle of the road and allowing some PTO. Thats how I'd do it if I were an administrator (wait, I am literate, I'm overqualified to be an administrator).

caliotter3 · Jan 18, 2009

I would have stayed with one of my former employers until retirement. It was the employer who poisoned the well. Do I hand out their business cards to prospective employees and clients anymore? No. I am more likely to give an indication of how I was treated and tell about the company's ethical standards. When one's eyes are opened, they have a tendency to stay open.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

In answer to your first question..the answer is no. It is not worth being loyal. Gone are the days where employers appreciated their loyal employees. You wouldn't catch me staying in the same hospital for 20-30-40 years unless they made it worth my while.

I have seen many nurses with years of experience get nothing but grief and betrayal in return..Maybe they got a cute little pin or pen set to thank them for all their hard work. In one case, this nurse was having health issues( needed emergency surgery) so they fired her. This after working for them for 35 years.

I know it can be scary to move but sometimes you have to. I have no problem picking up and starting over, because I know it may benefit me in the long run. Good luck.

RN1982 · Jan 18, 2009

I have seen many nurses with years of experience get nothing but grief and betrayal in return..Maybe they got a cute little pin or pen set to thank them for all their hard work. In one case, this nurse was having health issues( needed emergency surgery) so they fired her.

I remember on my five year anniversary, I got a small pin from my employer. Couldn't they have just gave me a small raise instead of some stupid pin that I'm gonna throw in a drawer?

NurSpeak · Jan 18, 2009

No, loyalty is NOT worth it. Just like they'd can you the minute they could get an international nurse for less, nurses should can their employers as soon as they can get more elsewhere. As it is, NO nurse is making what they're worth in this country anymore. However, the CEO's are doing just fine.

truern · Jan 18, 2009

It seems as I read thru this not alot of people are happy with their employer which proves the grass isnt greener on the other side.

If the grass is greener on the other side, somebody has piled on the bullsh....I mean fertilizer!!

The more I hear about other hospitals, other healthcare sites, etc the more I'm convinced they're mostly the same.

By all means be loyal to yourself FIRST!

whodunit · Jan 19, 2009

I know what you mean about people abusing PTO etc but what about those of us who work our vacations around the needs of the unit and end up with a lot of PTO that is useless? :confused:

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

I know what you mean about people abusing PTO etc but what about those of us who work our vacations around the needs of the unit and end up with a lot of PTO that is useless?

Actually, my first employeer, the one with heavy restrictions on PTO during holiday time, had the best way of dealing with this IMO.

You could cash in your PTO for money, not take time off. It didnt go for your exact pay rate, but darn close. One nurse never took vacations and relied on this for holiday cash. Imagine a paycheck with nearly a whole two weeks extra pay in it. Good way to save for that house or whatever else your heart desires. You could only compile PTO for 2 years though, so you had to use it or cash it in in time. Me, I prefered my time off and always got my PTO all together so I could take vacations that allowed me to travel (went to Chicago once, from PA).

PICNICRN, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

I am loyal to ME. I chose to work the ]baylor hours because I get paid more for the time I am there. I chose to work a PRN job because I get almost 15.00 more an hour than I do working my benefited baylor job. I will be the 1st one to come in if I can, but will only do it for time and a half. I am never late, I stay till my job is done. My patients love me because I am very good to them, my team mates love me because I do my work and dont sit around griping. My mgr loves me because she can count on me. The day the mess with my pay--or do not compensate me for my time is the day I look for another job.
]It can be a win/win. You treat me good and I will work for you and do a good job---treat me poor and I will work for someone else and do a good job for them.
]I am loyal to me and my family 1st.

AMEN!!! :yeah: