Could use some advice!

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

Hi,

Since I have technically been a nurse over 1yr, I should probably leave all of you alone and find another "home". However, I have yet to find my place here beyond this board, so I am throwing this question out here to hopefully get some advice!

I have been at my current job about 5 months. When I started out I was doing 3 days a week. Once I was out of orientation, I was bumped to 3 days one week in the pay period and 4 days the next. My 4 day week being overtime as my contract states I am a 72 hr per pay period employee. I spoke with my manager about this, telling her I only wanted to work 3 days a week, and she told me that at the current time (this was a couple mos ago) they needed the extra help and at the end of summer I could drop down to 3 days per week. I also received a note from her saying I could drop down to 3 days per week in August. I wanted to go back to school to work toward my BSN this summer, but due to my OT weeks it simply didn't work out and I have made plans to do so this fall.

My question is - I sent an email reminding the one's who do our schedule that I wish to do this because of my plans in school. I didn't want the schedule in August to come out and be told they "forgot" I wanted to do this or they still need extra help. I'll also add there are several employees that do 3 days a week for whatever reason. Besides school, my parents aren't in good health and I am an only child. I help my Mom out with my Dad a good bit (he's suffered several strokes) and it is a hardship on her when I am basically unavailable 5 days out of 7 every other week.

How far would you take this issue if I am given a run around response to my email? Should I meet with my manager? I love my floor and my co-workers, but working 72 hours a pay period is just about all I can do given my family situation and other plans of mine. I don't feel like I am being unreasonable, but I don't want to make anyone mad and risk them sending me out the door.

Thanks for any advice in advance!!!

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Specializes in ICU.
Hi,

Since I have technically been a nurse over 1yr, I should probably leave all of you alone and find another "home". However, I have yet to find my place here beyond this board, so I am throwing this question out here to hopefully get some advice!

I have been at my current job about 5 months. When I started out I was doing 3 days a week. Once I was out of orientation, I was bumped to 3 days one week in the pay period and 4 days the next. My 4 day week being overtime as my contract states I am a 72 hr per pay period employee. I spoke with my manager about this, telling her I only wanted to work 3 days a week, and she told me that at the current time (this was a couple mos ago) they needed the extra help and at the end of summer I could drop down to 3 days per week. I also received a note from her saying I could drop down to 3 days per week in August. I wanted to go back to school to work toward my BSN this summer, but due to my OT weeks it simply didn't work out and I have made plans to do so this fall.

DON'T LEAVE! Stick around - this board isn't just for students. It's a home that you can keep coming back to.:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe

If your workplace jerks you around & doesn't give you the schedule that you need for your personal life (family/school/whatever), you might start looking for another job elsewhere. Make sure you get the other job before submitting your resignation.

If you do the "honest, forthright, upfront" thing & advise your manager that you might take this step if you keep getting hit with overtime, that may come back to haunt you. If you let your manager know that you truly need to just work 72 hours/pay period, that may put you on her hit list.

Put yourself first. Stay at a job only if your personal needs are being met. "Loyalty" should not be part of your vocabulary, given the nature of the modern workplace.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

Thanks for your advice!

I would really hate for it to come to that, but if they won't compromise with me then I may not have another choice. As I said, I do really love my floor and co-workers, but I have to do what is best for myself and my family. I'm praying for an understanding response from her since I know she's been understanding with other people. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt and will just see how it goes.

Thank you once again for your advice. :)

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

first off i think new grads are the first two years of nursing not just the first year so, please stay!

secondly, i think your situation can be resolved if you are able to submit a schedule to request particular days off due to school commitments. my hospital allows us to fill out a calendar requesting particular days to work and days of the week committed to school and/or training. in the meantime i would also look for another place to work if such a request is being ignored. the reason you should put on a new application for leaving would be as you stated, obligations to further your education. family commitments, unfortunately, are not reasons employers in this country respect. in fact, they fear you being unreliable if you have issues that relate to family so do not bring this up on your application or in interviews.

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Specializes in cardiac electrophysiology, critical care.

Hi Southernbelle,

So, if I understand correctly, your manager is forcing you to work overtime?? I am no legal expert but I wonder if there are labor laws about that? Is your hospital's nursing staff unionized by any chance? If so, I imagine a union rep would know more about this topic. Good luck!

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I'm with you, just coming to the end of my 2nd year in September, and still have quite a feel of being new.

As for the rest: if I read correctly, they are having you work one extra 12-hour shift per pay period? Are there any prn/float types in your unit who would want to pick up that shift for you? At least where I'm at, a prn would be cheaper to the hospital than paying my 8 hours of time-and-a-half would be.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, Nursery.

Thank you all for your replies!

My hospital isn't unionized, so I am not sure what the legal aspects of working OT when you don't want to are. And yes, every other week I work one extra 12-hour shift.

Honestly, if not for that, this job would be about as close to perfect as I could get. It isn't that I dislike it so much that I can't bear to be there another day, it is just I have other things in my life I want to do and working 48 hours a week isn't really favorable to that. The e-mail response I received still had them leaning toward filling my request, so I'll see.

Thank you all SO much for the help! :)

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