Have to tell manager not back ft

Mulan · Aug 17, 2010

What is your job title?

caliotter3 · Aug 17, 2010

I would see her in person, sooner rather than later, to discuss this. She will appreciate you giving her as much advance notice as possible.

erin01 · Aug 17, 2010

I was a full time staff Rn nights. Been there over a year just b4?I left.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 17, 2010

The first thing about telling your manager is to realize that you are not "telling" you manager in a strict sense, you are "asking" your manager if you can reduce your hours. Unless you have some sort of special contract, your manager is under no legal obligation to honor your requrest for a new scheduling arrangement.

I would call her on the phone ASAP and say that you will have problems returning to work on a full time basis. Ask her if coming back part time is an options. If she says "Yes," then ask her how she would like you to proceed. Offer to put your request in writing, etc. If she says, "No," then ask her if she would be willing to sit down and discuss any other options that you might have. Scheddle and appointment. Emphasize that you really like your job and want to continue it, but that the full time hours simply might not be possible for you right now.

In the end ... the decision as to whether or not to grant your request is hers. She'll probably say "yes" -- but don't assume that as you approach her.

Mulan · Aug 17, 2010

Does your hospital have a float pool?

If she can't or won't use you as a prn, the float pool would be a good option.

I had one boss that was not receptive to people wanting to go prn.

One nurse

went from full-time to prn because she wanted the extra money and then they never used her.

Good luck.

chloecatrn · Aug 17, 2010

Just something to think about: what will you do if she says no to your PRN request? It is possible, although not likely, but still possible, that if you had any part of your maternity leave paid, that you will have to repay that. You also may have to pay for the benefits you utilized while you were on maternity leave. The hospital extends those to you because they anticipate your return as an employee when you are completed with your maternity leave.

I don't say this to scare you. I don't know what your hospital's policy is. I just don't want you to be surprised if it happens, because I have heard of it happening to more than one friend.

SweetLikeSugar · Aug 17, 2010

I did the same thing after I had my first baby. I was a full time RN on days and nights and then switched to stand-by (on Friday and/or Saturday nights 7p-7a) after my maternity leave. At the hospital I work at, the managers cannot refuse to let you cut back on your hours or go from full time (or part time status) to stand-by. I gave my manager about 10 weeks notice of my schedule change and she was less than thrilled but agreed that it would work. When I came back from my leave, she would put me on the schedule as if I were still a full time RN. This continued for about 6 weeks until I switched to another unit in the hospital. My NM actually hung up on me when I gave her my notice and refused to speak to me for about 2 years after I left. (She's not known throughout the hospital for being the most professional NM...)

I'm very lucky that the current NM I work for is extremely accommodating to my schedule. I hope things work out well for you at work and congratulations on your new baby!! Enjoy your time off with him/her! : )

erin01 · Aug 17, 2010

well now i am nervous ..=( I am calling in the am!

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 18, 2010

Good luck! She'll probably be OK with it and want to retain you as an employee even if you can't work full time. But that's her decision to make. It's good that you are giving her as much time as possible to recruit and orient a replacement for those hours you are vacating.