Approaching tough subjects with the boss

[Butterflyxx0621]

I really could use some input because I am struggling and lacking the support needed at work. I am a PRN employee and after orientation I was temporarily asked to carry a case load for a few weeks... 7 months later, I still have a case load. I work 3 or 4 days a week and have equal to or MORE pts assigned to me then the full time nurses. This week I was assigned 5 new admissions in one day. Obviously, I receive no benefits, vacation, sick time etc... I have tried to discuss this with my supervisor multiple times with no success. In addition to having a case load I am responsible for, I am still doing PRN duties as needed and some weeks they have an LPN see my patients so that I can complete 14 day comprehensive visits for the other nurses. I have repeatedly asked for my role to be clarified since I case manage and PRN and I am told I am a PRN and this is what needs to be done for now, and then hear the team player speech. I always am the team player, one of two nurses who are.... We also are short a nurse right now so technically my boss has patients assigned to her, however she has never seen them and I am often stuck seeing them. When I was discussing my concerns my boss asked me "do you think it's fair I have a case load?" And I really wanted to say that it doesn't really effect my boss since It is myself and occasionally a few other nurses seeing those patients. I have very professionally and respectfully tried to discuss my concerns and the answers I get are to suck it up and get over it because I have no choice.

I love the patients, I just don't want to be taken advantage of anymore. If I am a PRN I should do PRN duties and if I am going to do more work than the full time nurses and have a bigger case load, I should be offered a full time position.

I am at a loss for words and truly defeated. Every nurse at our organization is looking for work else where and 4 have quit because of how unhappy they are

I would really appreciate some direction on how to approach this subject.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

It is quite possible that she was only offered PER DIEM, and they "so her coming" as us New England Yanks are wont to say, ie, saw someone they could pressure into doing what they wanted them to.

I don't want to sound non-supportive, but I don't understand exactly why you are upset. You signed up for a PRN role, presumably because it offered you the opportunity to turn work down when you didn't want it, and to work hours that were convenient for you rather than being required to be working specific hours every week. It sounds like you are being asked to work more than you had planned, but you have the right to say "NO" -- that is why you are PRN. Is there a reason you have agreed to basically carry a full case load without full-time benefits?

I would tell your bosses that you want the position to turn into a regular position with scheduled hours and full benefits and give them exactly how many hours you agree to work, if in fact that is what you want to have happen. If they don't agree, then start looking for another job. But it seems you got exactly what you asked for.

[TammyG]

That is the history of employer – employee relations in the United States. The only leverage that the 0P (Or, for that matter, any employee) has is to threaten to quit if the terms and conditions of her employment are not changed to her liking. She can do this explicitly or gently, but that is what it comes down to.