Schedule Conflict

[Nurse131382]

Just a little background to my question: I have worked on the same floor for 5 years. 3.75 as a PCT and the other 1.25 as a nurse. I started on overnights and finally decided i had enough so I applied for a day evening position that I was not given. It was given to a nurse who had just started 4 months prior. OK whatever. I end up with a different day evening position 40 hrs a week so 2 8 and 2 12 hour shifts. Here is my concern or question. Everyone else who has been hired day evening works strictly days because they requested to. They are all married or have kids or both. I am the only nurse who works day evening who is expected to work straight evenings. I am not married and don't have children. I feel like this is my boss playing favorites due to circumstances. I asked for some days over the summer even saying I would still work 2 evenings each week but I was told "you're my only evening person". I'm not sure what to do. I feel it's unfair that I am expected to cover all evenings and that I can't even get a couple day shifts. Because of this I also can't get my vacation approved because there is "no one" else to work evenings. I'm considering applying elsewhere due to this nonsense but was wondering if there are any other suggestions on how to handle this. Thanks!

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

Are you are the position you were hired for is day/evening? Maybe it was strictly and evening shift.

[westieluv]

If the position was presented to you as a mix of day shifts and evening shifts, then you have every right to go to management, preferably the person who presented it to you that way, and remind them of what you were told vs. what the reality is. If they are decent at all they should admit that they told you something other than what the reality is and work to remedy it. In short, if they clearly told you that the position would not be an all evening shift job and it is, then it is on them to fix it or risk losing you.

As far as not getting your vacation approved because you are their only evening nurse, they cannot deny you a vacation if you are entitled to it, and it is on them to find someone to fill in while you are on vacation, whether they want to or not. That particular situation would make me HOT if I knew I was entitled to vacation time and was told I could not have it because they did not hire additional help to cover it. That's SO not your fault or responsibility.

If the other nurses who are working days were hired for the day/evening shift the same as you but are allowed to work day shifts when you aren't, then frankly it sounds like you are being taken advantage of and someone is playing favorites.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

YIKES! Sounds like you are a victim of poor management. It is not YOUR responsibility to ensure adequate staffing - that's what the manager is paid to do. So don't let her 'guilt' you into taking it on. I would advise advocating for yourself by having a crucial conversation with your manager. Be factual rather than emotional. Be open to compromise such as allowing some time to get other staff rotating to evenings but don't leave it open-ended.

If you don't feel like your manager is going to work with you, I would advise speaking with HR. Your skills and experience are valuable & your organization does not want to lose you - so they will make every effort to ensure you don't quit. There may be day shift opportunities in other areas where you could transfer.

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

I would certainly begin investigating other employment options.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I would certainly begin investigating other employment options.

Yes. Voting with one's feet is one way to attract management's attention. I've always felt that if my place of employment is no longer meeting my needs, it is time to walk.