Decreasing my hours....

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I'm depressed and burnt out. Working in LTC for about 8 months now, overworked and under-apperciated. Its my first RN job. I feel I need time off, or a decrease in hours. How do I go about asking for less time without upsetting my boss?

All nurses feel overworked and under-appreciated. It goes with the territory.

LTC is a very difficult job and hard for a new grad to start in.

Simply tell your boss you need to decrease your hours, you owe no explanation. DON'T give that reason, or it will haunt you in your job hunt.

Try to fulfill your year of experience...(with a smile on your face).

Start looking for some thing else, now. It takes time.

You need to look at this as your stepping stone to something better., you must stay on good terms .. and leave on good terms.

Good luck.

Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

I also started in LTC, so I totally understand what you are experiencing. Tell your boss that you need to cut your hours due to personal issues. No need to elaborate. I would recommend going to your MD and getting a note. You may even qualify for Medical leave if your job is affecting you emotionally and/or physically. Be strong. Do not allow them to buuly or guilt you into keeping the hours if you feel you need a break. If you continue and are miserable-you will end up quitting out of pure frustration. I witnessed that so many times that I lost count. Good luck-please take care if yourself. No job is worth letting your health fail.

Always remember how valuable you are in your position, and that you need to rest/recharge to stay excellent in your position. If it is less than a year, I say create a new attitude that will get you through your days with pride. If they have a lot of positions open, you have more leverage to talk about part time hours vs. more of a flex schedule, but you must try to figure out how flexible you expect them to be in this market.

Doctor's note is good, but it comes with a price that your employer may not look at you as reliable, however, they are not really allowed to do that. If you work for a larger LTC, it might be good to talk to their HR about what you might be entitled to with leave. otherwise, talk to your boss about changing/reducing hours and offer to work more of the shifts they have trouble filling. I cut my hours to part time, even though there was a waiting list, just by saying that I would work every weekend, they loved this, and I got my two 12's and the weekends were more controlled (if you can say that), then the M-F craziness. Stay positive!

Just decide to go have the conversation with her. It is a lot better than waiting for something bad to happen. I would also strongly suggest that you consider a small vacation of a few days to stay home and do a lot of sleeping and relaxing. Sounds like you need that right now.

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