Change of job status -- need advise

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I am currently working full-time night shift, which is three 12-hour shifts on my unit, with every third weekend and call every 5th. Turnover has been very high, and there are numerous positions open, but they only want to hire full-time.

I love the unit, the people are great, and the hospital in general is a great place to work. I don't want to leave. But the night shifts are taking a real toll on my health. I am sick all the time, have had to go on antidepressants, and my marriage is getting rocky. During the little time I do have to spend with my husband, I am usually tired, grouchy, and no fun. We argue a lot, which we never did before.

I think if I cut back on my hours to two nights a week, I'd do much better. But how do I go about approaching the manager of a unit that is already very understaffed nurses and ask for a reduced schedule? I am willing to do every other weekend, which is more than the requirement, and then fill in a day or two in between.

Money is not a problem; I have another PRN job that is less demanding and pays more and I could pick up more hours there.

Any advice on how to approach this? Any managers' perspectives? And how much of my personal "issues" should I disclose? (The already know I'm sick a lot becasue I've called off so many times).

I don't want to say this point-blank, but if I can't work out a reduced schedule, I see no choice but to transfer to another area, and then they lose a FTE for sure. :cry:

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How is your manager? Approachable, or hard to deal with? I would just talk to her/him plainly and tell them that 3 nights a week is too hard on your health. That's a common thing to happen to night people. Sell the 2 nights a week proposition by telling her just what you posted..that if you can't cut back, you'll have to find another position and you really don't want to, plus then they would lose another person altogether.

Is there anyone else you work with who might be willing to go part time also? Would job sharing be an option?

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I was in a similar position a number of years ago. I had the advantage of knowing that my manager needed me a whole lot more than I needed my job. I gave her 2 weeks notice of my intent to cut back on hours or resign, whichever she chose. She was a really lousy manager, but even she knew that the former option was better for the unit than the latter. It worked out fine, and I was a much happier and healthier person working part-time.

Good luck.

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Specializes in NICU.

I would ask to either switch to 2 12-hour nights a week, or 3 12-hour days. You ddin't mention if days was on option for you.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
I would ask to either switch to 2 12-hour nights a week, or 3 12-hour days. You ddin't mention if days was on option for you.

No, days is not an option right now. The wait to get a day position on this unit averages over a year. I would be looking to switch to 2 12-hour nights per week.

Actually, I got a nastygram in my mailbox yesterday pointing out that my absences are becoming excessive and if I have another, I will have to meet with the manager for "counseling." This is really embarrassing to me -- I've never been that kind of person.

So I took it as an opportunity to set up a meeting proactively. She is a kind and understanding person; she is just stressed because of all the turnover. Hopefully I will catch up with her this week; I'll post what happens.

Thanks all for the encouraging words :mad:

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No, days is not an option right now. The wait to get a day position on this unit averages over a year. I would be looking to switch to 2 12-hour nights per week.

Actually, I got a nastygram in my mailbox yesterday pointing out that my absences are becoming excessive and if I have another, I will have to meet with the manager for "counseling." This is really embarrassing to me -- I've never been that kind of person.

So I took it as an opportunity to set up a meeting proactively. She is a kind and understanding person; she is just stressed because of all the turnover. Hopefully I will catch up with her this week; I'll post what happens.

Thanks all for the encouraging words :mad:

Where I work I don't believe you can just voluntarily cut back on your hours unless you apply for a part time or casual position.

That always gets me how hospitals give you sick time then ding you when you take them. It's bad enough that nurses aren't allowed to eat, use the restroom, etc., now we're not allowed to get sick either?!

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Hi RN Echo

The situation you describe is one that is routinely played out

on a daily basis, in hospitals around the nation, turnover, burnout,

etc... The reaons for the Nursing Shortage are multi-factorial,

but w/the avarage age of an RN in the US being 47, coupled

with inflexible shifts/hours, we all know the shortage will worsen.

Nursing at the bedside is back-breaking manual labor, taking

both a physical & emotional toll. I now work a M-F 9-5 day

job as a Nurse Case Manager in a large urban Medical Center. Am

I still a real Nurse? You betcha I am! Another job I had in our

organization was as a Home Health & Hospice VNA Nurse - loved

every minute of it! Soooo, the morale of the story is,

you have options. At least you Nurse Manager is supportive???

I wonder, though how long she'll last. Please remember,

take care of yourself!

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Specializes in Psych, Informatics, Biostatistics.

Request the change: I work 3-12 nights as well. Just do it.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Well, I'm happy to say it all worked out. I set up the meeting and my manager seemed pleased that I took the initiative to address my recent excessive absences. She was open to letting me reduce my hours rather than leave altogether. I will have to change status to PRN, thus losing my PTO and benefits and putting myself at risk of having shifts cancelled if the census declines (haha -- not something that seems likely!)

I still have the other PRN job (at the same hospital) -- given the pay increase (now that they don't have to subsidize benefits) I will make about the same $$ while working fewer hours. And I still have medical, dental, and vision insurance through my DH. I am very blessed to have that to fall back on.

Right now, some sacrifices in benefits seem a small price to pay for having a schedule that will allow me to maintain a decent income without compromising my health further. If I am not well, I can't care for patients well.

It's too bad it's come to a choice like this, but I plan to do my best to make it work.

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