Changed my schedule 3 days before I work it...

[jeslynhatRN]

I'm a new nurse, just finished precepting and will begin my first solo night on Tuesday. When I asked last month about being able to still have the same schedule as my preceptor so that I could have a go to person, I was told that it was fine by the two nurse managers and the charge nurse who does the scheduling was aware of this. Our new schedule started yesterday (Sunday) and had not gotten past the "2nd Draft" stage because the charge nurse was gone for like 2 weeks... So I assumed I'd still work the same schedule that I put myself down for and made plans for this 5 day weekend I had coming up this Thurs-Mon. This morning I get a message from the charge nurse saying she has taken me off of this Wednesday and has put me on for Saturday because they were short... huh? How can she tell me 2 days before that she's changed the schedule (to a day when my preceptor can't work and this will leave me without my go to person for only my second day off precepting) when I know in our policy manual it says they are required to give us at least two weeks notice? I don't know what to do... I had made plans for this weekend already and I could really use the 5 days off in a row... I am coping badly enough now and was wanting to spend some time with my family to help keep my spirits up... I am so upset that this has been done, but I don't want to ruffle any feathers so soon... what should I do? I am so depressed as it is, I really was looking forward to this weekend... I need advice!

[MERRYWIDOW46]

Welcome to nursing. Their poor planning and inability to complete tasks in a timely manner has become your problem. I would NICELY remind the person doing the schedule of the agreement between the two managers, charge nurse and you. Explain your situation needing time off to mentally prepare for being off of orientation and on your own. DO NOT become defensive. She may or may not be receptive. Let me know what happens. Good Luck.

[Jules A, MSN]

It is unfortunate but as Merrywidow46 said welcome to nursing. I'd suck it up and not make any waves this soon.

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I would be a bit flexible in this instance. It sounds like it was a slightly disorganized month, when a bunch of us came off orientation there was a little bit of moving around and getting switched. It will likely improve in the future. Your first few weeks off do kinda move around a bit.

Work the Saturday, they hired you because they need you, not necessarily on the days your preceptor works. Also, there should be a charge nurse and resource available to help answer questions. That's what they are there for.

Please keep in mind you have a job! Not everyone does right now, and while a 5 day weekend would have been nice, you may be able to pull it off in the next month.

Just take it a day at a time, nursing does get better.

[Jules A, MSN]

BTW what exactly is a 5 day weeked? I'm lucky to get two off in a row, lol.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

as far as having a go-to person, trust me... after some time your preceptor will no longer be a great support! i have seen preceptors talk a lot of trash about former preceptees who use them post orientation as if they are still on orientation. this makes that former preceptee look incompetent in the eyes of other nurses. thus, it is time to cut the cord!!! this does not mean that there is something wrong with you asking questions from the same person from time to time, but being off orientation means you are on your own! you cannot use that person in the same capacity any more so it no longer matters that you will not be working the same shifts. instead, you need to use your real resources such as your charge nurses and other experienced nurses who work the floor. in fact, spread the wealth so no one person feels pulled by you every second.

also... i agree with the others... nursing schedules in hospitals are not flexible! when changes happen to me i just suck it up and take it... i mentally tell myself i can get through the next blah-blah-blah days because i will have blah-blah-blah days off even if i only get one day off between a string of days. nursing is 24 hours a day 7 days a week.