What would you do?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I accepted a position that was described as three 10 hour shifts per week. This factored heavily into my decision because it is a little over an hour from my home and because I had been working and hated 12 hour shifts. Come to find out that the clinic is open 6 days a week, 1 RN is on each day for the entire day. 3 days end up being 10 hour days and 3 days are 14 hour days due to the appointment schedules. The other staff RN is a 40 hour full time person, I am a 30 hour full time person. I pay more for my benefits and accrue PTO at a slower rate than her. She wants to split the shifts so that I take 2 of the 14 hour shifts and 1 of 10 so 38 hours total, and she gets 2 of the 10 hours and 1 of the 14 or a total of 34 hours a week. I don't think this is fair. I was told 10, and with my commute 14 hour shift = almost 17 hours. No time to sleep between shifts. I dont want ANY of the 14 hour shifts, but if I have to do some, I just want one a week. Or I think it is only fair that they change my status to 36 hour full time and give me the same rate on insurance and pto accrual as her. I was told this isnt possible and we need to work out the schedule ourselves. The manager is totally flaking and she is the one tat lied and told me 3 tens when she hired me.

Advice? Opinion? I really do like the job, but I dont want to fall asleep on the way home. I want what I was promised. Why should I take the lions share of the long shifts when she gets more pto and the better rate on insurance?

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.

I would do what I was hired to do. Three 10 hour shifts and I would state so. You need to talk with your hiring manager and let them know this, right away. The nurse may be trying to undermine you. So have everything spelled out and written down, before you proceed.

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The manager is the one that hired me and told me three 10 hour shifts and she is the one telling me now I need to work it out with the another nurse. I don't want to quit I really like the job, but I feel like I will have to look elsewhere if the manager doesnt step it up and fix this. My schedule seems to always be whatever days the other nurse doesnt want to work. No one stands up to her she just bosses everyone around including the spineless manager. I am really frustrated.

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The answer is simple...decline. You want and signed up for 30 hours and got it. That suits your commute and lifestyle. Don't be pressured into doing something that doesn't make you happy. If she has an issue with her schedule she can take it up with management. Also, I would NEVER agree to 2/14 hour shifts a week with a long commute. That's dangerous.

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Specializes in LTC,med-surg,detox,cardiology,wound/ost.

You were hired for a 3 10 hr/shift week schedule. Period. There is no swapping around hours unless the manager decides to realign the positions and offer full-times benefits. And if the clinic wanted to do this, they would have considered this prior to hiring anyone to fill the open position. The response that you need to work out the schedule yourselves is asinine at best. Personally, your manager has demonstrated some poor leadership skills. If you are forced to deal with this, my response to the nurse would be that I accepted the position with the explicit understanding that I would be scheduled to work 3 ten hour shifts per week and due to other obligations (like sleep but that's between you and me) I would not be able available to work any more than that.

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I just got my schedule for the month and it has me down for two 14 hours a week again. I was very clear that this wasnt acceptable, but they did it anyway. I left the manager a message, no call back. I am working Thursday I feel like I need to give an ultimatum. They are completely ignoring me.

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They are using you and totally disrespecting you. Tell them you signed up for 10 hours not 14 hours and are flat out not available to do those shifts and then stand by that. If you relent they know they can continue to take advantage of you and will do so.

Do you have an HR Dept? If yes, I'd make an appointment with them ASAP. I'd also star looking for a new job immediately. Your manager is a moron. I'm sorry they are doing this to you. Be polite but very firm.

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Specializes in LTC,med-surg,detox,cardiology,wound/ost.

You should point out the error on the schedule to your manager (maybe it was a honest error or maybe the manager was given some erroneous information by another party). If you do not get an appropriate response, then you will need to concede that this job is a wash. But should you need to tender your resignation, let the clinic know exactly why you are leaving the position.

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So she wants to work 34 hours a week, and get full benefits?

She wants you to work 38 hours with no additional benefits?

Hell no!

Tell her you can work a maximum of 10 hours 3 x a week, which was what you were hired for, end of discussion.

To answer your last question, you shouldn't, and I wouldn't if it were me.

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Wow....you are being manipulated and you have to give them the ultimatum. It may cost you the job but I doubt they will want to rehire so quickly. If you dont do it now you are stuck.

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Because the job market is rough, I would suck it up and work the extra 4 hours a week, which is sounds like your fine with, I mean hey, it will pay your gas. But as for trading around shifts. NO FREAK'N WAY! I happy to switch with someone here and there if I know the are reliable, but to switch permanently with someone you don't know. Maybe she wont show up for a shift and your getting a call at 7:15 telling you to get your but out of bed and come to work(been there, was not impressed). That does even address the issue that she is getting all the benefit.

Your new and could be setting your self up to be walked all over. Just keep it professional and friendly. "Sorry with my family life I would be unable to do that, but I don't mind giving you a day off here and there" - :twocents:

Good Luck with the new job, thats great that you are otherwise enjoying it!

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

This is what I'd email the manager. "The proposed schedule is not sustainable. It is unreasonable and unsafe and my performance will suffer. It is my sincere hope that you can find a way to abide by our agreement. If I do not hear otherwise per written communication, I will be prepared to work a ten hour shift, per our agreement, on my next scheduled day."

Of course I'd be prepared to quit without notice. The old fool me once......

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