Can't Work Third. What do I do?

Nurses General Nursing

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I recently got out of school and started a new job at a retirement community (long term care). The third shift nurse quit about a week ago, and the DON asked me to work third for three weeks until they hired someone else. The thing is that I work tuesdays and thursday evenings 3-11 and I am totally satisfied with that. But, I told the DON that I would work the third for a week or so because I have three kids to see that they get to school and husband gets to work on time also. Well, I worked one day on third, and decided it wasn't for me! Hated it, plus it interferred with my personal life and schedule at home. Now I feel bad that she doesn't have anybody to cover the shift. And I feel like she will hold a grudge against me for not working after I said I would. The day after I told her I couldn't work it, I went to work and she didn't hardly speak to me. How would you feel about that?? What would you do if you were in my shoes??:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Personally, since I said I would work it for three weeks, I would. However, perhaps you could talk with her or make a trade with someone else. Good luck.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

No need to feel bad about not being able to hang in there for the three weeks (which by the way....could have very easily turned into a much longer period of time for you on nightshifts.......based on how long it takes your DON to find another night nurse). At least you tried it. It didn't work out for your family life, so you made the change back to what works for you and your family. THAT is first and foremost over and above anything else. Shake it off, and keep on keeping on. :)

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

I'm with traumaRUs. I would not let myself be pressured into agreeing to do it, but I would do it if I said I would or I would try to find my own trade.

Did working one night and then saying you can't do it again leave the facility in a lurch? Or was there an agreement that you'd try one night and see if it would work or not and if it didn't then you could back out? If it's the first, it might cause some ill feeling that will go away with time. Or, are you feeling guilty and perceiving the inattention to you because of your guilt?

This will pass. What's done is done, right? Just next time, don't say yes when you really mean no.

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Personally, since I said I would work it for three weeks, I would. However, perhaps you could talk with her or make a trade with someone else. Good luck.

I agree with that. I would work it for as long as I committed myself to, and then I'd go back to my regular schedule. You weren't hired to work third shifts, and you can't be made to stay there permanently.

Good luck to you.

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Personally, since I said I would work it for three weeks, I would. However, perhaps you could talk with her or make a trade with someone else. Good luck.

Actually, the OP only committed herself to one week "I told the DON that I would work the third for a week." Since she did, I think that finishing out the week would be appreciated.

JMHO,

Kris

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I would suck it up since it's only for a short time.

Good luck.

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I recently got out of school and started a new job at a retirement community (long term care). The third shift nurse quit about a week ago, and the DON asked me to work third for three weeks until they hired someone else. The thing is that I work tuesdays and thursday evenings 3-11 and I am totally satisfied with that. But, I told the DON that I would work the third for a week or so because I have three kids to see that they get to school and husband gets to work on timt interferred with my personal life and schedule at homee also. Well, I worked one day on third, and decided it wasn't for me! Hated it, plus i. Now I feel bad that she doesn't have anybody to cover the shift. And I feel like she will hold a grudge against me for not working after I said I would. The day after I told her I couldn't work it, I went to work and she didn't hardly speak to me. How would you feel about that?? What would you do if you were in my shoes??:uhoh3:

Unfortunately, the nursing profession is a 24/7 job. Alot of people work positions that interfere with their lives, etc. I feel it is professionally responsible to fulfill your stated obligation.

And in all honesty, from a management perspective, I might be a little ticked off if you backed out, plus would question your loyalty and dependability in the future.

Sorry.

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Specializes in ER.

If you work only two shifts a week and you only committed to doing a week you would only have had one shift left. If it was me I would have done it, but what's done is done. Think really carefully before making your next committment as your reputation will be vulnerable for a while.

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If you work only two shifts a week and you only committed to doing a week you would only have had one shift left. If it was me I would have done it, but what's done is done. Think really carefully before making your next committment as your reputation will be vulnerable for a while.

Excellent point.

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It's never a good idea to commit to something at work and then not follow through. What's done is done though, so if I were you I would just learn from this experience and not do it again.

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Thanks for all the advice. It helps when others in the same profession understands where you're coming from. Well, I ended up working that one day on third only. The LPN social worker has been covering the shift. I know that my reputation probaly has been downgraded some. I just wish that I hadn't agreed to work it at all. I guess this is a mistake and a lesson that I will definately learn from.

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