Are Managers against nurses?

[tiacali]

I helped our floor by working xtra days days even came in early in the morning to cover a nurse that worked for 20 hrs. Our floor was in need of staffing. The day I came in early was a full on day, it was a horrendous day. I was schedule to work the next day so I asked my manager if I can be taken of the schedule because there was no way I was getting out on time. It was recommended I call off. WHAT!!! ( I usually only work 3 12 hour shifts a week. that week I worked 4 12 hr shift plus a 19 hour shift) I worked xtra days to help staffing and even came in early that week. The same way I did a favor, a favor can't be returned. I was dumbfounded. There was no way I would be a safe nurse the next day. Anybody been in same situation?

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Are managers sometimes against nurses? I would say yes to that but I don't think the situation you describe, OP, is an example of this. If you are asked to come in to fill a staffing hole, make your deal BEFORE you agree to work the shift. If you don't, it won't work out well for you. I made this mistake once and then said "never again".

Also I agree with GrnTea... don't answer your phone when work calls. I find it's always a good idea to screen those calls. If you want the OT or want to make a deal call back. If not, ignore the phone call.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Sometimes, but not this time. If you volunteer for extra time, that's exactly what it is. Extra time, not let's make a deal after the fact time. You committed to the extra time, and you were committed to your scheduled shift. If everyone did what you wanted to do, then what's the point in even having scheduled shifts? Although I will say that your overtime needs are insane, and your manager needs to be aggressively looking to hire.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

.....Or perhaps your manager should throw on some scrubs and help out with all the holes......

[cardiacrocks, BSN, RN]

I think there is a bigger problem here, what do you mean you worked 19 hrs? Do you mean you worked 19 straight hours? There is NO WAY this is legal. Nurses are not safe for practice after 12 hrs. Also, I agree with the OP that if you agree to come into to do OT, that doesn't warrant you to be able to have the next day off. It sounds like your floor is already understaffed, why did you think you'd be able to have the next day off? I work a great deal of OT, have since the day I came off orientation. There are days I regret signing up, but If I took my OT back, my manager said that would count against me. I guess it's a lesson learned for both of us. I'd find a safer floor to work on.

[SionainnRN]

Your post has NOTHING to do with managers being against nurses. You took overtime then wanted to call out? Nope, doesn't fly. I'm working 60 hours this week, 5 shifts, and guess what they called me today to work. I have a special ring tone for any work numbers so I don't have to answer it. Just because they ask doesn't mean you have to work. I didn't feel like working 72 hours in one week so I didn't. But you can bet your butt I'm not going to call out on my regular shifts cause I worked OT. Suck it up, get a large coffee and carry on.

[Orion81RN]

Are managers against nurses? Sometimes. And with some managers, that goes up to most of the time. But your manager obviously doesn't have an abundance of employees, and if she said yes to you then she would have to fill your hole. And unless she can knit nurses, then in the interest of her own self-preservation she has to turn you down. I quickly learned to "do deals." I'll come in if I can have another day off in return, or come in late, or whatever I want.

That's exactly what I did. My manager asked if I could work on my day off, so I told her that yes, I could, IF she could reschedule my next day so I could have my day off.

[Guest343211]

The problem with many managers that I have seen is that they are predominately focused on their own career trajectory--bottom line.

I have seen great managers that put patients, nurses, as well as the values of the institution first just retire and fade off into the sunset. Of course to that you will see advancement-hungry managers say, "See. See. If you don't play the game, that is what happens."

But they miss the point that there is no monetary price on integrity. People need to hire for true character and integrity as much as anything else, such as GPA, or references, or the rest of the list.

Part of the interviewing process should involve scratching below the surface, but it either gets brushed off or people know how to make things look like they fit the bill.

Until institutions consistently focus on the things that really should matter, more of these administrative, one-dimensional automatons will continue to dominate nursing leadership--and along with them, nursing as a whole will continue to follow.

Sorry, but I am so tired of this from administration and these kinds of "Make it look good, but really hooray for me" managers and nurse leaders from institutions.

To them and the individuals that make this their MO I say the following:

If your values, character, and integrity in real life application cannot and does not become one with your bottom line, you are a loser institution with loser leadership. If you claim you have it, back it up every single day!

[llg, PhD, RN]

That's exactly what I did. My manager asked if I could work on my day off, so I told her that yes, I could, IF she could reschedule my next day so I could have my day off.

Your original post suggests that you asked for the next day off DURING or AFTER the extra shift. If you wanted a deal to work your "off" day in exchange for the following day ... that deal needed to be agreed upon BEFORE you agree to come in to work.

If you agreed to work on your "off" day without getting an agreement for the following day off -- then you are agreeing to work BOTH days -- and it is not fair of you to try to change the agreement mid-stream. If you want to switch shifts, then don't say "yes" until it is confirmed as a "switch of shifts" and not an agreement to work and "extra" shift.