I'm a new RN mommy who is expecting to return to work from my FMLA and I need advice. I recently saw my upcoming work schedule and I noticed that another nurse with less seniority than me was changed to days.. there's 10 nurses on day shift and 8 at night on our unit-so my manager can't say there's a shortage during a time I was unavailable-our company policy also states that nurses do not lose seniority when they are on approved leave. It may be worth it to mention that I always felt the nurse that switched was always a favorite-they are always texting and praising each other on social media... Should I talk to my manager about this? Or Do I have a valid complaint to HR to ask for a transfer?
I have asked about being changed to day shift even during my pregnancy and my manager simply said "I don't have enough experienced night nurses since I hired a bunch of new grads, so you can't switch"- I figured at least she knew after that conversation that I wanted To switch. I was 2nd in line in terms of seniority and the nurse before me had no interest, so I should be next (the nurse she switched was after me(. At the time, I was kind of flattered she considered me "experienced" since I have been with the company about 6 months as a new grad" However, she went on to hire 3 new grads for day shift on our unit...
I felt discriminated for being pregnant and now I feel discriminated for being a new mom. I am uncomfortable talking to my manager about this. She seems to be very close to the RN she chose to switch to days instead of me. I am afraid of retaliation. I feel hopeless and am even considering leaving the company because I am so miserable on my unit. If I complain where and how do I start? Any advice is appreciated.
Favoritism is a form of not discrimination? I have asked for day shift last year. There was no job posting because it was done discreetly within the unit.
I understand exactly where you are coming from. That is how things are done at my facility~ discreetly and not posted. Hand-picked, so to speak. Yeah, it happens all the time here.
Since when are most nurse mangers ever in touch with their staff. I worked permanent nights for 34 years out of 39 years, best place to be actually, no stupid management to interfere with the prime object of nursing, patient care
This is not discrimination. You were off on medical leave when the position came open someone else applied and got the position. Simple as that they needed someone and you could not have returned to work maybe next time.
If you are going to talk to your manager, suggest you look up the definition of discrimination because what you have written doesn't support your claim that you were discriminated against. It seems there was a vacancy for a day position while you were off and you did not apply for it, another nurse did and received the position.
While it isn't discrimination if her employer is anything like my employer there is a list and those names are put on a list and you transfer to the shift of your choice based off of that list. Being out for maternity leave or illness doesn't take you off of the list. So if there actually was a list and she was second in line to go but the person behind her got put first that's a violation.
Using the term discrimination in this case is kind of questionable but if it's something that you're serious about then you need to talk to your manager even if the end result is that you find a position with a different company or a different hospital.
This is not discrimination. If you dragged me to HR for this, let me tell you- I would be less than thrilled. That is a serious threat, lest you forget. You were off, on a leave. If you have no standing transfer in progress- your manager has no obligation to hunt you down if something happens and they need a day RN. This has nothing to do with your child. In fact, maybe you should consider that the entire unit does not revolve solely around your needs alone?
Congratulations on the new baby! It does stink that they hired less experienced nurses while you were out however, that is not discrimination. Favoritism and fakeness is all too common in nursing so get use to it. Focus on the new baby, keep looking for day shift positions and something will come up :-) One poster stated this is why RNs don't have any kids....that sounds extreme. It is difficult when you are on nights with a new baby but it will get better. Sending positive vibes to you!
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
Sp...one special snow flake, as a very experienced nurse mgr. I need to provide safe staffing, regardless who is on special FMLA...... For what ever reason....n I, only obligated to provide you a job.. The BON requires me to provide safe staffing, while you are out for what ever reason.... That is just how the nurse practice act reads in my state..... I do however appreciate your performance, and would. Consider your request as staffing permits..... Please review employers obligation under FMLA.......
From the outside looking in, and without having the whole story, I don't think you have a solid case for discrimination.
I would caution you that you likely do not have the whole story at this time. It looks like someone else was picked, and it seems unfair from where you stand. There may be reasons and rationales you do not have an appreciation for, since there may be more to the story. It may be, as others have suggested, that the need came up and someone was able to take that position and fill that need immediately. It may be that there are circumstances you have no knowledge of that contributed to your manager's staffing decisions.
If you can have an open and honest conversation with your manager I would suggest considering that. Not that you come across as argumentative or defensive, but just ask questions. It might be worth asking what it might take to be moved to days (experience, skills, the effect unit staffing has, etc), or how you might become more attractive as an option to move. You might learn something. I've done this something similar, there was something I didn't understand or comprehend. I calmly asked, at a time my boss was not overwhelmed with 19 other things. It might not work, but it could be worth asking, especially if you try to gauge rationale by asking for specifics. You could mention that you knew previously it was "experience" and "experience on night shift" but ask what specific would make you the ideal person to move when the opportunity arises. Managers are people too, and it's been an interesting thing. My relationship with my manager has changed for the better since I started engaging in conversations instead of taking everything personally. Given my career goals, though, this might explain some of it. The reasoning might just be the timing, and maybe the next opportunity that exists might be your chance. You won't know unless you ask.
Or, you know, you could just run from the situation and go elsewhere. The thing I would caution you is there is no perfect workplace, there will always be politics and probably favoritism. Some managers do handle it better and minimize it, but even when they minimize what they can observe, that probably won't eliminate it. Even if there is a perfect unit where all the nurses and assistants play nicely together, share and treat eachother well all the time, there will be something about the job that is less than your favorite thing ever. It is, afterall, a job. It might be worth, at some point, taking a change for a new set of skills, but I guess my point is that nothing is perfect anyways.
I fail to see any discrimination, and I really don't see any discrimination because you were pregnant and had a baby. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
While it isn't discrimination if her employer is anything like my employer there is a list and those names are put on a list and you transfer to the shift of your choice based off of that list. Being out for maternity leave or illness doesn't take you off of the list. So if there actually was a list and she was second in line to go but the person behind her got put first that's a violation.
Using the term discrimination in this case is kind of questionable but if it's something that you're serious about then you need to talk to your manager even if the end result is that you find a position with a different company or a different hospital.
This confuses me. A violation of what? An informal policy? The term "violation" is a strong one and doesn't really pertain. Even if there was a list and even if the OP was the first name on it, she was out on leave at the time the opening came. There is nothing in law that states that the manager would have to put her on day shift, even if she was the first name on some list the department kept.
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applewhitern, BSN, RN
1,871 Posts
I understand exactly where you are coming from. That is how things are done at my facility~ discreetly and not posted. Hand-picked, so to speak. Yeah, it happens all the time here.