Employer's negative response to Reserves

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  1. This is a discussion on Employer's negative response to Reserves in Government / Military Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... 3 years ICU/CCU experience. CCRN. I started work at teaching/research hospital in the CCU one...

    by Mar 22, '11
    3 years ICU/CCU experience. CCRN.


    I started work at teaching/research hospital in the CCU one month ago. I am
    super happy here, loving the job. I have been interested in the Air Force
    and joining as a reservist at some point in the future. I haven't even
    talked to a recruiter only looked up about it on the internet. Well
    I emailed my new manager and asked her what she thought about
    my joining the reserves in the future and that I had not joined and that
    I just wanted to "test the waters" with her and see what she thought.

    Her response was very negative. I was surprised that a teaching facililty
    would not recognize the clear advantage of having military nurses among
    their staff.

    She said that I should have told her about this when I interviewed
    and that if I wasn't committed to (hospital) I needed to come see her
    immediately. She inferred that I was not committed to my new position
    simply because I had expressed interest in the reserves!
    Also she said the vacation leave was already granted for 2011 and
    that I didn't have enough PTO anyway.


    I emailed her back saying that all I had done was to research
    the idea, hadn't even TALKED to a recruiter and that I would
    revisit the idea in 2012, next year given her response.

    I am worried she might now let me go as I am in the first 90
    days of my employment, the probationary period because I
    have expressed interest in the reserves. It's really
    ashame that she would react so negatively when all I did
    was ask what she thought to get her feed back about the
    subject?. I was very nice about it.

    As much as I like this job, I find the lack of support for the
    military making me rethink my position there. It's a shame
    more hospitals don't support the members of the military.
    Military nurses are tough and having one on your civilian
    unit is a total privilege.

    Any one have any similar experience? Thoughts on this?
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    by tahoe77 Mar 22, '11 11:32 am
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  3. 17 Comments so far...

  4. Mar 22, '11 by
    I haven't had this experience as a nurse, but when I was a nurse's aide, I was working at a hospital where they made me use my PTO for my training time, which happened to be 30 days long. I had to scramble to find a sub for my schedule work hours when I got home upon finding out that my PTO was gone. I received no apologies from the scheduling office and no help from them in finding a sub. It's unfortunate, but many hospitals see nurses who have a committment to the military as being uncommitted to the hospital. You're right: it's a shame and a disgrace on the hospital for not supporting us as we support our men and women overseas. When/if I leave active duty as an Army nurse, I personally will never go back to work at the hospital I was at again unless I see a marked difference in their attitude toward the armed services. If you decide to leave your position, I wouldn't blame you a bit.
  5. Mar 22, '11 by
    I just did a search on google and my hospital was sued by a nurse for discrimination in 2007. She
    was high ranking in the military as a reservist having served for many years and
    had a high level RN administrative position at my hospital.
    They let her go after she told her supervisor she was to be deployed again.

    the hospital lost the lawsuit.

    It appears they have not changed as an institution.

    I am just hoping they don't let me go now that they know I am interested in joining the reserves as I
    am still in the 90 probationary period all RNs go through as new hires.

    PTO:
    It seems like I should be able to take unpaid leave time for my initial training. If I don't have
    enough PTO then so be it. What does it matter to the hospital if they pay me via my vacation time
    or not during my training? They seem to be saying, generally, that you can't go train for military if
    you don't have enough vacation time saved up to take that time off. In my mind being granted
    time off to train and being paid for your time off are two separate things. hmmmm. frustrating
    I am sure this was for you. It feels like they are trying to use the PTO rules to punish people
    who are serving.
  6. Mar 22, '11 by
    If you are on military orders your employer has to give you the time off. Some with pay/most do not. It is also a misdemeanor for them to descriminate you.

    With that being said.. I have NEVER EVER even told them I was in the Guard until AFTER I have gotten the job. Then it is too late!

    You might want to explain to your Manager the chances of you being selected for the AF are slim and the process is long.
    Cursed Irishman likes this.
  7. Mar 22, '11 by
    wait, what do you mean my chances of being selected for the AF are slim? Is that true? How do
    you know my chances?
  8. Mar 22, '11 by
    Also I HAVE already gotten the job. I am in the automatic probation period that all nurses
    go through when they are hired, like I said in my post.
  9. Mar 22, '11 by
    What I was saying is I am already in and I would never mention in a job interview that I need 1-weekend a month, 2weeks a year and Oh Yeah there is a possibility of a deployment.

    Had you done the slightest research you would see that all branches of the Military are full. The AF has always been the toughest and rumor has they are downsizing... thats how I know your chances.
  10. Mar 22, '11 by
    and I know you've ALREADY gotten the job.... Its a good thing you like it.
  11. Mar 22, '11 by
    surprise; many nurses are lefty mil-hater goofballs. if i’ve said it once, i’ve said it every day – the only problem with nursing is that it’s run by nurses.
  12. Mar 23, '11 by
    Hey Tango,
    Thanks for the feedback. I looked around at some of the posts
    and like you said generally it is hard to be accepted for a position
    right now, too many applicants I guess. I feel bad for all
    the new grads being told there is a nursing shortage and
    then not being able to find work. I wasn't exactly sure of your
    tone bc this is the internet and sometimes its hard to tell
    what people are implying.

    It seems like it would be easier for someone like me, approaching
    4 years exp and CCRN critical care and trauma certification.

    If it's as hard I have been reading that really is a measure
    of how the economy has slowed, new grads looking for work.

    I do think I have some other qualifications that make me
    an attractive candidate for the military. I will still talk to the
    recruiter and start the long process. The truth is I've been
    thinking about this for about three years and I just can't let
    it go. I want to join. The fact that my manager was negative
    just made me want it more.