Can My Director Of Nursing Do This?

Published

Our DNS who is fairly new

The thing is I haven't heard her mention anything about increasing our salaries. She has hired a Clinical Nurse specialist who will eventually be working with HR to revise our position descriptions.

I refuse to sign onto anything that increases my role without increasing my salary. Can she do this? Or would we have a case to HR if she tries to expand our role without expanding our salaries??

Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

When I was a director of a private school years ago, we were taught that we could not legally hold our employees to a different standard than the one listed on the original job description.

This leads me to believe you may have done recourse if they add to your duties without changing your job description.

I also wonder/think / surmise that they may not be able to add to your job description without notice or having you sign.

Call fair labor and housing dept in your area and ask. Or google this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
When I was a director of a private school years ago, we were taught that we could not legally hold our employees to a different standard than the one listed on the original job description.

This leads me to believe you may have done recourse if they add to your duties without changing your job description.

I also wonder/think / surmise that they may not be able to add to your job description without notice or having you sign.

Call fair labor and housing dept in your area and ask. Or google this!

Every position I've ever held as an RN for any length of time has had revisions and sometimes revisions of the revisions to the job description.

Not one of those employers gave me notice or asked for my input or signature. As has been mentioned this is just how it is in the field of nursing.

And has also been mentioned: if you want to keep your position, there are hundreds of reasons not to make waves. All of those reasons have the degree and title of RN and are just waiting for you to resign or be let go for resistance to change so that they can apply for your job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I think she is being upfront with you. She does not need your approval to change job descriptions and your salary does not have to be a factor. So it comes down to wait till you see the new JD then decide if you want to do it for your current salary. We are seing lots of cuts and lay-offs due to economy and projected reimbursements from Affordable Care Act

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

One of the PPs cites examples of teaching positions - and their situation is a bit different. Teachers generally sign a contract/agreement that gives them protection so that nothing can be changed for that period of time. Nurses are not in the same boat.

Hey, I just want to know if this job "enhancement" includes housekeeping like the one that Vanderbilt nurses are dealing with???

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey, I just want to know if this job "enhancement" includes housekeeping like the one that Vanderbilt nurses are dealing with???

Excellent point.

To the OP: It looks like you're stuck. Either go with the flow, or go elsewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.
When I was a director of a private school years ago, we were taught that we could not legally hold our employees to a different standard than the one listed on the original job description.

This leads me to believe you may have done recourse if they add to your duties without changing your job description.

I also wonder/think / surmise that they may not be able to add to your job description without notice or having you sign.

Call fair labor and housing dept in your area and ask. Or google this!

Except most teachers have contracts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

As a DON, I have changed job descriptions multiple times over the years. The last line of every description reads, "other duties as assigned". That pretty much covers anything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I refuse to sign onto anything that increases my role without increasing my salary. Can she do this? Or would we have a case to HR if she tries to expand our role without expanding our salaries??

Wow, I want to live in your world where I can "refuse" to do things without an increase in pay!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis.
Wow, I want to live in your world where I can "refuse" to do things without an increase in pay!

I want to move there with you, too!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Is it infuriating? Yes. Can you do anything about it? Probably not if you want/need to keep your job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in TELE, CVU, ICU.

Has anyone considered that this woman is not the enemy? maybe she read the IOM report on The Future of Nursing? Maybe she has not communicated well, or maybe you are hearing iterations of what she said that are not comprehensive? Have you talked to her yourself?

From http://thefutureofnursing.org/recommendations:

Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.

Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.

Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.

Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information infrastructure.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion