Denied shift change position

[nitrospeed16]

Hello all,

Looking for thoughts on a current situation. I work at a sub acute facility on 2nd shift, I have been here for a year. Last year I applied once for a morning shift position, but that position became unavailable as the nurse who left that spot decided to come back.

This month, my supervisor called me into the office and asked if I was still interested in a day shift position. I of course said yes, and had an informal interview. I was told they had other candidates to interview, which was understandable. Flash forward to this week...I was told a coworker on my unit got the position. This person started after me, has equivalent experience, and told me several times that she didn't want or apply for day shift.

When I asked my supervisor for tips in improving my performance in order to be considered in the future for a day shift opening, she said there was no particular reasoning, they just came to a decision and that was who they picked.

Am I wrong to feel slighted? I was friends with this person prior to working with them, so I feel betrayed on both ends. I feel like my work dangled a carrot in front of my nose by telling me they would consider me for the position, (they came to me) then chosing someone else. I'm also upset at the friend for lying. Should I look elsewhere for a morning position or stick it out? I feel like length of employment didn't have a factor at all, nor did clinical performance.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I've never seen current employees being interviewed for only a shift change. It goes by seniority everywhere I've been. But yes, I would be actively looking for a new job if I were you and I would be very irritated. I would give my friend a chance to explain, but if she simply lied to you, I would lose respect and trust in her and she would then become just a professional acquaintance.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

While you're upset right now, eventually this will pass.

Management considered you for the position, and others. Perhaps the person who was chosen had a stronger interview. Who knows? Ultimately, the decision rests with management.

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

I have also never had to interview for a shift change. I hated 3-3, sent an email to my boss stating I'd prefer 10-10, when that shift opened up, I wasn't even told, my schedule just changed.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Day shift positions should be filled by request , per seniority.

Your facility is keeping you where they want you. "Am I wrong to feel slighted? "

Yes.. stop with the "feelings" and being "upset at the friend for lying." Giving into those emotions will get you nowhere.

Grab your year of experience... and move on.

[dnptobe20]

Umm, like pp said i have never heard of interviews for switching to day shift! How it usually works is all nurses are notified and the most senior nurse who applies gets it. Eventually, and in time, everyone gets a turn. There seems to be some manipulation and politicking going on in the background.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP: I agree with the others that it should have gone with seniority. However, I would like to offer a different perspective... Rather than take it personally for negative reasons, your manager may have made his/her decision for other reasons.... First, it appears to be this manager did not want you to work the day shift for some reason (it may be a good reason to him/her but bad for you) and preferred your friend. For example, it is possible that you are a good fit for the PM shift and there are few good fits. Another reason may be that your passive aggressive friend spoke to the manager about some personal reason for needing the day shift over you and the manager cannot tell you due to privacy issues....

In any case, your manager sounds like he/she cannot manage very well and has a hard time making timely fair decisions, which is why he/she decided to have a fake interview with the candidates. As for your friend, he/she likely knew that you wanted to the job but did not want to seem like competition... so he/she lied.

If you really, want to leave then do so... My guess is that the manager is calculating that you will stay since you did so the last time... I understand wanting to leave for that reason, on the other hand if you can work your shift and your facility without problems, I would not bother.... The same cannot be said every where you may choose to go.