I don't think my DON likes me very well

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Specializes in Geriatrics.

For those of you who are regulars here, you may have remembered me asking about switching weekends not too long ago. Well, I told the nurse who was wanting to switch, that I would. I usually work every other Fri, Sat. Sun. Well when I switched weekends, I lost my Friday babysitter. I found this out just this past weekend and I've frantically called around, trying to find anyone, well not anyone, someone with experience, even if it is a teenager from the local high school. Alas, school is not out yet around here, so I came away empty-handed. I've left some messages and emailed people I knew who either knew some teens, had some teens that might want a bit of pocket money, or the actual teen themselves. I also put it out on Facebook that I was looking for someone. Not a one has answered my plea for help. So I called work today and got the DON that nearly fired me and I had to tell her that I couldn't work this Friday. I did tell her why, but she was really "cold" with me and hung up on me without saying good-bye. I feel really bad, but what can I do? Take my 21 month old to work with me??? Thanks for letting me vent....ARGH!

Blessings, M.

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You better come up with some kind of plan or they'll have a good reason to look at firing you. Keep looking for that sitter.

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Feel really sorry for you. I hope you find someone who can babysit for you or find someone who take the shift for you. It is hard because it seems like your DON has no understanding.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

You were scheduled to work a day and can't due to child care, while it sucks you can't find anyone, the DON has to keep a schedule.

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Have you checked sittercity.com or care.com? Babysitters provide profiles and I believe they also provide some background checks. They do charge a fee to be a member, but you can view who is available in your area and their credentials before paying. The fee is not that expensive for what is provided - I don't remember off the top of my head exactly what it is though. There may be other sites too, those are just the ones that I have looked at.

good luck.

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Have you tried craigslist.org? Usually tons of babysitters on there.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

I think you should just leave your baby alone....then have child services take away your baby from you....(just kidding)

Of course you couldn't work- but it was short sighted of you to change weekends without finding a babysitter first!!

Your DON wont fire you but she is justifiably upset

Chalk this one up to experience and swallow her (your DON) admonitions. Imagine your babysitter canceling last minute, that is how the DON feels.

This too shall pass , just focus on being the best mother and nurse you can be and DONT change shifts till your sure you have a babysitter!!!

Sorry this happened to you,

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You know, in the past I have been in the same spot you are in as far as being to quick to agree to something and finding out it was a mistake. Here is what I learned the hard way from it. After that bad experience, whenever someone asked me for a scheduling favor I refuse to consent immediately. They always pressured me agree because they want to meet their needs reguardless of what it did to my life. Which when you think of it is very selfish. I say something to the effect I will consider it but I can't consent to it under pressure because I have this feeling there is a conflict. Often when a co-worker makes a request like this you are busy and can't possibly stop to think about it. Make sure they absolutely understand that you are NOT saying yes. Then give yourself two or three days to consider and usually if there is a conflict the reason will reveal itself to you. I think it is a shame that you can't go back to the co-worker and say this situation is making your life miserable and you have to back out of the agreement. But I know how it is because I have been there. I have to say that after that one time no one ever got me in the middle of a busy shift and talked me into a schedule change that I couldn't get out of again. I usually only make a mistake once.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I belong to a sitter's site and a nanny's site...I live in a very rural area and there is simply no one to be found at this time. I will try craigslist next. Thanks!

Blessings, M.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
You know, in the past I have been in the same spot you are in as far as being to quick to agree to something and finding out it was a mistake. Here is what I learned the hard way from it. After that bad experience, whenever someone asked me for a scheduling favor I refuse to consent immediately. They always pressured me agree because they want to meet their needs reguardless of what it did to my life. Which when you think of it is very selfish. I say something to the effect I will consider it but I can't consent to it under pressure because I have this feeling there is a conflict. Often when a co-worker makes a request like this you are busy and can't possibly stop to think about it. Make sure they absolutely understand that you are NOT saying yes. Then give yourself two or three days to consider and usually if there is a conflict the reason will reveal itself to you. I think it is a shame that you can't go back to the co-worker and say this situation is making your life miserable and you have to back out of the agreement. But I know how it is because I have been there. I have to say that after that one time no one ever got me in the middle of a busy shift and talked me into a schedule change that I couldn't get out of again. I usually only make a mistake once.

Keep a daily planner and write all appointments and "To Do" lists, that way when you are asked to change shifts (and it happens)you are less likely to double book yourself...I also keep a list of my shifts on the days (and the hours) so at the end of the month I can easily check if I got compensated properly. I write my bills in so I remember to pay them on time, I write birthdays etc.

Worth the investment in time and energy!!

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didnt read all the post so don't know if im repeating. CHeck your local red cross and ymca or boys and girls club, /They offer cert babysitter classes and may have a list of people that babysit. Or go to yahoo groups in free cycle and cheap cycle and post for your area.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Well, I got one reply from my ad at craigslist but she wants $13/hr! For one child!!!! I only make $19/hr. so that is hardly worth it. I'm going to see if the YMCA will let me put up a flyer on their bulletin board...they haven't had a babysitter's class there in years. I'm still trying!!!!

And to the poster who said the DON has to keep her schedule...I agree with that to some extent, but this place has a ga-zillion PRN nurses listed at the bottom of the schedule...surely she can find a replacement for me just on Fridays until I find a sitter!!!!!!

Blessings, M.

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