Accepted RN position as rotating shifts but after I accepted they changed shifts

[jenny966]

Interviewed with va & was told I'd have rotating shifts. Did the long & drawn out hiring process for va & waited months before finally getting official job offer. I accepted excitedly, but a week later I spoke with the nurse manager on the unit I'm scheduled to start & she told me that "you will not be rotating, but strictly night shift because thats where the need is". I am a single mom of a toddler & when I assumed rotating shifts, I could work it out with family here & there to watch my son. But, theres NO way I can find someone to watch him full time plus take him to daycare before they go to work so I can sleep. Should I call the nurse manager & explain this to her & tell her I accepted under the impression of rotating shifts? I really want to work for the va but 12 hour nights 4 shifts one week & 2 shifts the following week & an 8 hour shift full time is just not fitting in my life as a single mom right now.

[jenny966]

Everything in the VA is based on seniority, vacations, holidays off, etc.. so that's what I was thinking, I'd be in nights for awhile, which just doesn't fit my life right now. This sucks. I hate that I already accepted the offer & will probably have to recant. Hope it doesn't affect employment with VA in the future.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Bait and switch, classic case. You need to be up front on what you agreed to. While this job has many perks that would benefit you, if you can't get childcare to cover the shifts then there is nothing to be said. It isn't the job for you. Tell the manager what you were told and then ask her if she still has a position for you, as strict nights are not something you can accomodate on a regular basis.

[jenny966]

Update = spoke with nurse manager monday & she offered rotating 1 month nights, 2 months days, etc.. but stated she'd have to talk with her boss about other arrangements since night childcare would be hard for me at this point in my life. I have until Friday to give my 2 week notice so just waiting. . & hoping she didn't forget about me already. .

[CecileSF]

Although it is not fair. I feel like it is the nature of the job, especially since you do not have seniority. Perhaps there is a chance for rotating shifts, but the spaces during the day are not opening up. In your last comment, you made some good points. Believe me, there are some moms out there who have done night shifts for years before being able to move around. I don't think your situation will be like that, but just be prepared as a new employee. If it is possible, ask to change to a different unit which you are also qualified for?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I was also offered another position at my current hospital in the "float pool". Pay is the same as my current, but I would be off weekends & it is a day shift position. So, I do have a back up plan, but I really wanted the VA job.

Tell the manager that. Her response will tell you whether you stay where you are or get grossly inconvenienced at the VA. I"m betting you won't be going to the VA quite yet.

[caliotter3]

In most facilities having children would not push one to the front of the pack to work a different shift. They typically go by seniority, so if she has already said it would be hard to move to days then the real question is can you work nights for an indefinite period of time? If the answer is no, then you would need to pass on the job.

Childcare is always going to have to be factored in as long as you need to mesh a job with caring for your children. If you can not work out an agreeable childcare option along with a backup, then you will have to adjust your work situation to go around childcare and not the other way around. That is just a fact.

[Libby1987]

I hope it works out for you but for someone who raised 3 kids, about 1/2 of it as a single parent, with a family friendly flexible schedule and making a good in home health, I don't really understand trying so hard to make those shifts work.