Cancelled repeatedly - is this normal?

[CranberryMuffin]

I keep getting cancelled at work. I work 12 hour shifts, and I've been cancelled on average about 1 12-hour shift per week for the past 5 weeks. People keep telling me that cold and flu season is going to kick in and it won't be an issue. But it's getting to the point of where I can't afford to pay my bills.

Has this been a consistent problem for other people? Has anyone had to change jobs because of this? Some of the people I work with have second jobs, which definitely helps. I wouldn't mind getting a second job, I just hate the idea of being scheduled to work 6 nights a week in the hopes of actually working 3-4 of them. What kind of life is that?

Has anyone seen this become a trend where you work? How do you cope?

[RNKPCE]

@ The Commuter,

Personally, I don't know how "full time" staff can ever be canceled. We're unionized (New York), and that means guaranteed a full weeks work for full timers, regardless whether the hospital is busting at the seams or everyone is sitting around swatting flies. While our employer encourages as many staff as possible to use up a vacation day or holiday time, it is actually illegal for them to prevent you from coming to work simply because their volume is low; that would constitute as a "lock out" and would call all sorts fo labor law statutes into question. For less than busy hands, they either float internally or find something for people to do.

Frankly, I never knew that hospitals could do this to people and find it rather shocking; what state or region are you folks in? Are you folks union or not?

We have a policy in our contract that addresses low census days. So even if you are union and full time you can be canceled if it is your turn. It just depends on your contract. I believe Kaiser Hospitals has a no cancelation policy

[CranberryMuffin]

UPDATE - it's been over 2 months since my original post and I'm continuing to get cancelled about once a week (this week it's now been twice). A girl's gotta pay her bills - I'm going to run out of my PTO pretty quickly - which I had been saving up for a vacation, but my hopes for that are dwindling.

I'm so aggravated at this point that I'm looking for another job, but I've only had about 7 months there and I wanted to give them a full year before leaving. I can't afford to work this job alone - I either need to get another job to supplement my income or leave this one. I was wondering what you all recommend - would it look really bad to a prospective employer to leave this job before a year is up? Considering the circumstances, I would think people would be understanding, but I might be wrong given this economy. Employers can be extremely picky.

[LogCabinMom]

I worked at a small critical access hospital last summer where I was called off at least once a week for June and July - needless to say, August 1, 7 nurses were laid off and I was one of them. I found my dream job at a large hospital and am counting my blessings ever since. That small hospital has since hired back most of those laid off and 2 more. Go figure.

[LogCabinMom]

And no, I don't think it looks bad to a prospective employer - just explain the situation -

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

It's not just happening in the US.

Last week I got so many calls re different jobs (not just nursing) I was all booked up for nursing shifts, and had to tell them no I'm not available for at least the next 2 weeks. Worked all last week, got taxed to the hilt, to pay for all those people lazing around on the SS (the dole).

Anyway this week only got one shift, all the others got cancelled, I was off sick for 2 days with infected sinuses. Sometimes I think the NMs do it to teach you a lesson.

My bills don't get paid on time, I already have as many extensions on them as I can get, and owe rent money. If this goes on, I am packing up and literally giving all my stuff to charity, and driving off in my car.

A nurse can't live like this, you are right. The agency tells me it's not them (they are a good agency), it's the hospital, but the hospital needs to get it's staffing sorted out I think.

But they do do this to p**s us off I think.

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

UPDATE - it's been over 2 months since my original post and I'm continuing to get cancelled about once a week (this week it's now been twice). A girl's gotta pay her bills - I'm going to run out of my PTO pretty quickly - which I had been saving up for a vacation, but my hopes for that are dwindling.

I'm so aggravated at this point that I'm looking for another job, but I've only had about 7 months there and I wanted to give them a full year before leaving. I can't afford to work this job alone - I either need to get another job to supplement my income or leave this one. I was wondering what you all recommend - would it look really bad to a prospective employer to leave this job before a year is up? Considering the circumstances, I would think people would be understanding, but I might be wrong given this economy. Employers can be extremely picky.

I'd just be upfront and explain everything that has happened to another employer.

With your current employer, can't you just put yourself down for all days and any shifts that come up, like I do, would you get more shifts that way or can't you do that cos you have kids?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I can't afford to work this job alone - I either need to get another job to supplement my income or leave this one.

I would take a PRN/per diem job at another facility to keep your bills paid. However, I would stay at your current hospital for the magic one year.

Other types of settings love PRN/per diem nurses, such as home health, hospice, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, etc.

[caliotter3]

I recommend you get a second part time job or find an agency to fill in those hours you are missing. One eight hour shift per week at a home health agency case would make up eight hours each week. Just be prepared for the agency to pay you less than you are making at your hospital job. Many hospital nurses earn extra money by working for agencies on the side. Looks like you will have to join their ranks to make ends meet.

[CranberryMuffin]

Thanks everyone!

I did talk to my unit director today about the situation and I have to say that she pretty much rocks. Very understanding about the situation and knowing that it might be causing people to want to look for work elsewhere (not that I brought that up or corroborated with that assessment...). I guess one person is leaving the unit soon and they won't be filling the position to see if it helps prevent cancellations.

Having an excellent unit director makes me want to leave the unit even less...I've worked in really toxic environments with poor leadership in the past...and having good leadership is invaluable.

I'll probably just get a part-time position somewhere for awhile - it would be good experience anyway to try something else on the side (I've been wanting to see what working in hospice is like).

[caliotter3]

It's not just happening in the US.

Last week I got so many calls re different jobs (not just nursing) I was all booked up for nursing shifts, and had to tell them no I'm not available for at least the next 2 weeks. Worked all last week, got taxed to the hilt, to pay for all those people lazing around on the SS (the dole).

Anyway this week only got one shift, all the others got cancelled, I was off sick for 2 days with infected sinuses. Sometimes I think the NMs do it to teach you a lesson.

My bills don't get paid on time, I already have as many extensions on them as I can get, and owe rent money. If this goes on, I am packing up and literally giving all my stuff to charity, and driving off in my car.

A nurse can't live like this, you are right. The agency tells me it's not them (they are a good agency), it's the hospital, but the hospital needs to get it's staffing sorted out I think.

But they do do this to p**s us off I think.

In total agreement with you. I know from dealing with my staffing coordinator, that almost all of the BS done to me is on purpose.