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!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

if your schedule is supposed to be out two weeks in advance and it wasn't, you might have had a leg to stand on had you told the charge nurse when she called you that you had already made plans for this weekend. if you didn't do that, you're stuck going in.

in the future, please make sure you check for a final schedule before you write it in your calendar, and never assume your schedule hasn't changed before you see the final copy. once the final copy is posted, they cannot ethically change it without your permission. but it sounds as if you sort of gave permission (you don't say you objected) when the charge nurse called you to tell you it had changed.

[Riley3]

I think I would call first thing in the morning, speak to the person that called you today and explain what you and the other managers talked about regarding your schedule. I would not come off as I was complaining just letting her know why you expected that you were off this weekend. It very well could be that the person who completed the changes did not know that you have already spoke with both managers as well as the charge nurse regarding your schedule. If you have to work it is a bummer, but something I have learned in the 15 years I have been a nurse is..complaining about something to others and not talking directly to ther person really does no good. You will end up working a shift/schedule because you never gave the person the opportunity to help.

With the being said, this is the life of a nurse in a hospital setting. I would work the shifts if I had to after I at least talked to them. This is not going to be the first time it is going to happen and will not be the last. Of course, I do believe that boundaries need to be set at some point. My work would have me working 24/7 if I allowed it. One nurse I worked with on saturday worked 7-3 went home and was back at 11pm-11am..crazy! The goal of the schedulers is to fix the holes and once you are there for a bit longer you will see that they will take any and all time they can from you if you allow it. This situation does not apply but I certainly would have a conversation since the person responsible for it was out, just to make sure this person was aware.

Good luck to you. I know going out on your own the first time after orientation is scary, but I am sure there are a ton of other good resources that will be there for you

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I would play dumb and say "you know I was surprised when you called so I didn't say anything, but I would really like to find out if I misunderstood the unit policy - it was my understanding that I'd have 2 weeks notice of a change in schedule, and I went ahead and made plans for the weekend. Could you help me understand the scheduling policy better?"

Of course you need to be flexible for the unit needs, but if they have the 2-week notice for schedule change policy, they need to stand by it. I bet you couldn't decide 2 days before a shift that it didn't suit you.

[jeslynhatRN]

Thank you all for the advice... Seeing as how I am working tomorrow night and so us she, I think I'll bring it up to her then. I hope everything works out so as not to make anyone upset about it. Thanks again! I'll let you know the verdict!

[CASTLEGATES]

I worked for this horrid place that used to change my schedule AND NOT BOTHER TELLING ME ABOUT IT! They assumed I'd come in on my days off to look at the schedule so they'd change my days when I wasn't there and of course I'd be off skiing or back packing somewhere oblivious to this change. This was the same place that would send you home if the census was low and given the few vacation days they gave, you were in the hole and suddenly owed more than double for health insurance and any other employer contributions for coming in under 32 hours and out of vacation time to use.

It took a lot to get out that door without being screwed over reference wise and they still write "needs improvement" for attendance. Has me livid. Remember this crap can follow you despite any agreements they signed.

I despise that facility to this day.