I feel like all I have done lately is whine about my job. I love what I do. Lately, everything is bothering me. It may be time for a vacation.
THIS is what has pushed me over the edge.
The company I work for is OK. Nothing great - I've had a steady income since starting with them. Since day one, I have helped them out when they needed shifts covered, worked over until they could get a day nurse on location, never called off - even when dead tired or feeling bad. I have been to some very sketchy homes/neighborhoods, spent literally hours on snow covered roads to help cover cases.
I recently had my one year eval. My 90 day eval was perfect as was this one. I was not offered a raise at 90 days and I did not ask for one. After busting my tail for a year, I decided to ask for one this time. My DON said they don't normally give raises, but sometimes they make an exception depending on the situation. She said she had to get with the higher ups and would let me know. That was nearly a month ago. She will not return a phone call. I have been trying for 2 weeks. Of course, that has not stopped them from calling me every day off I have had needing "a favor".
By her not calling, I'm certain they have decided to not give me a raise. That's fine. I can accept that. Not happy because I have proven myself to be a reliable employee - but what can you do? What ticks me off is that she couldn't bother to return a phone call and tell me.
I've never heard of a company getting fined for not covering shifts. The contacts with the families state that they are the primary caregivers and if the company is unable to staff the home that the parent is responsible for caring for their child. But the parent has the right to choose an agency and change agencies at any time. My guess is some office person used that line to guilt trip a nurse into working a shift.
Who fines a company for failing to cover a shift? Why?
And is that in every state?
I don't see how they can promise perfect coverage...and I think the displeasure (and subsequent migration) of families would be a better penalty.
I've never heard of a company getting fined for not covering shifts. The contacts with the families state that they are the primary caregivers and if the company is unable to staff the home that the parent is responsible for caring for their child. But the parent has the right to choose an agency and change agencies at any time. My guess is some office person used that line to guilt trip a nurse into working a shift.
This is what my company has told me. I don't know that it the truth. Not even sure where to get an honest answer from my company.
It could very well be some BS guilt trip from the office - perhaps the scheduler gets a "fine" of some sort from the office.
Call whoever they claim can fine them and ask. Make sure to mention the company name, but stay anonymous just in case.
Even if this were true in your state, its a bit ridiculous. For example, the family has "fired" every nurse the agency has. The agency has tried and the family hasn't. How would that be the agencies fault? Sometimes the family is at just as much fault for not being staffed.
I would take it as an insult that the office worker thought I would believe something like that.
I would bet that the majority of us have at one point believed a lie that the agency has told us. Don't feel bad about it. And its still possible that its something only in your state. But if it is a lie, you'll know who not to trust at your office. Better to learn now than with something more serious!
I was young and trusting when I started nursing and PDN. I used to believe what they told me. I still fall for things occasionally with agencies and parents. But I think the job has taught me to pick up on dishonest people faster. The lie I fall for the most is when the agency tells me they have to have me work because the family is desperate for coverage so they can work. I get to the home and the family is telling me that they really didn't need anyone and they didn't know what the agency was talking about.
Called them again. Finally got an answer. "Due to Medicaid cut backs, we are not able to give raises."
Um. OK. It's funny - the last time I went by the office it has just been remodled/redecorated. And I still see BMWs and other nice cars in the parking lot. Interesting.
It does no good to do be dependable and do them "favors" so the company doesn't get fined for not covering a shift.
Ugh, I feel your pain. That is the toughest pill, for me, to swallow concerning PDN.
My agency gives no raises, gives no sick hours, gives NO PTO whatsoever, we don't get a chintzy canvas tote bag with a broken coffee mug during Nurse's Week. Health insurance they offer is a joke that won't cover a bandaid. :/
SDALPN
997 Posts
I've never heard of a company getting fined for not covering shifts. The contacts with the families state that they are the primary caregivers and if the company is unable to staff the home that the parent is responsible for caring for their child. But the parent has the right to choose an agency and change agencies at any time. My guess is some office person used that line to guilt trip a nurse into working a shift.