Got dumped on by snow and nurse manager

Nurses Professionalism

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Out-of-pocket, I spent over $200 between a hotel room and an overnight sitter to guarantee my on-time arrival to work and specifically a "mandatory" staff meeting during a snow storm last week. Only after arriving to work did I learn that "mandatory" staff meeting had been cancelled by nurse manager without notifying staff first. Had it not been for having to be at this early meeting, I would've had childcare at no cost and a ride to and from work. Mind you this nurse manager wastes no opportunity to write up employees and hold employees accountable. When NM realized that she had dropped the ball, she couldn't even muster up an apology. I totally get that some people suck at life, but I just feel like her behavior was unprofessional and not something that I can ignore. Professionalism and accountability go both ways.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

I would ask for four hours of inconvenience pay for the cancelled meeting. Don't make this personal, it's just business.

If she does not authorize it then you have an issue.

Maybe she was stressed out and forgot to call you. Handle this graciously and when you are compensated let it go.

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Reporting time pay, also called "show up" pay. Check with your Labor Board to see if that policy is followed in your state. If so, file a claim. Encourage your co-workers to do the same.

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I agree with the others. No official cancellation and you showed up for a mandatory meeting? I don't know if you are under a union contract or if that even matters -- most hospitals 'grant' employees four hours pay just for showing up (if they are found to be unneeded once they do show up).

If enough of you pursue this (if you can), this manager's butt is on the line for the cost. She'll learn to respect her staff more if HER feet are held to the fire by the DON or whoever her boss is. This is a costly mistake for her to make, and we all know how little corporate wants to spend extra money on nurses. Managers are responsible for their budgets, their evals are based on how well they manage what they are responsible for.

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You guys rock! Thanks for the replies. I'll be paid for one hour as if the meeting had taken place as originally planned, but a minute more than that would've required an act from God, regardless of the "inconvenience". This unit is notorious for pinching pennies and treating overtime like a sentinel event (apparently fiscal responsibility only applies on warm, sunny days....) Management wasn't thrilled that I clocked in an hour early (even though I started working immediately), and definitely wouldn't have been heartbroken if I had chosen to eat the hour.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Well, this isn't quite on the thread subject, but when our office was moved to another location many employees were not informed of the fact and had to find out the hard way.....show up at the office, the door is locked, the office empty? Make a phone call, to be told at that moment, "Oh, we moved!" (When? "Last week")

GOOD ONE!

Did anyone get 'in trouble'? Nope.

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Specializes in public health.

That sucks. I don't work at a hospital and my schedule is more flexible. I am grateful that I don't have to clock in at the place I work. if there is a snow storm, bad traffic, or your childcare center decides to announce closure the day before, you just take your time and don't have to worry about being written up. Good luck.

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As much as it sucks, everyone makes mistakes. It's part of being human. If the weather was bad, maybe your manager had bigger more legitimate concerns than work at the time. Just maybe the benefit of the doubt? I mean, sometimes things happen.

Maybe this is a lesson for you in what you don't want to become professionally. I had a lot of crappy situations happen when I was a new grad (coworker issues) and the culture of the unit was toxic. Looking back on it, those experiences taught me what not to become more than anything else. Be the bigger person, and let it go.

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As much as it sucks, everyone makes mistakes. It's part of being human. If the weather was bad, maybe your manager had bigger more legitimate concerns than work at the time. Just maybe the benefit of the doubt? I mean, sometimes things happen.

Maybe this is a lesson for you in what you don't want to become professionally. I had a lot of crappy situations happen when I was a new grad (coworker issues) and the culture of the unit was toxic. Looking back on it, those experiences taught me what not to become more than anything else. Be the bigger person, and let it go.

Easy enough to say "let it go, be the bigger person" but that doesn't get around the fact that the OP is $200 out of pocket by trying to do the right thing. That's a hefty dent in a person's weekly budget and not something that you could walk away from without a bitter taste.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

The way I see it, I would "let it go" if I were reimbursed my 200.00 and the manager at least understood the inconvenience of the situation.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

So, you actually spent over $200.00 out of pocket to make sure you could attend a "mandatory" meeting that ended up being cancelled? Wow, you are way more of a dedicated employee than I am! I am actually pretty impressed by this. Me, I wouldn't have thought twice about skipping the meeting if I couldn't get there. No way am I shelling out money for a hotel to make it to work, not unless my boss is paying for the hotel.

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