Employee Rights While In School?

Hello, I'm currently an LPN and have been with the same company for 2.5 years, 1 year as an aide, 1.5 as a nurse. I'm currently in school to obtain my RN license and will be done in May. As a result, my work availability has changed, leaving me only open to working weekends for the next 4 months. However, my DON and the scheduler, have known about this since October, are avoiding my questions and saying "we are still discussing it." I'm nervous for a few reasons:

1. I just found out they are reducing the number of beds on my unit and renovating it, shutting it down for a while.

2. Last year they laid off a bunch of nurses and I had to interview to stay.

3. They are being so discreet! I would have thought a nurse working every weekend would be perfect.

I'm not worried about LPN job availability, because where I live there's actually several openings, but if my own place of employment isn't willing to work with my schedule then who else would be? I can't walk in somewhere as a new person and have a complex schedule. Any thoughts or advice from people that have gone through something similar is greatly appreciated. I don't know if I should speak with the DON about my suspicions or not.

6 Answers

There is nothing wrong with approaching a potential employer with a specific schedule situation. Many managers realize that nurses return to school, or that nursing assistants attend school to become nurses. Some will work with such a person with the thought in mind that they will enter into a position for the higher license that ensues.

With that thought in mind, there should be an agreement in writing, if you get such a situation. I speak from first hand experience. A DON who hired me stated she would work with my school schedule, but then she left. I ended up out in the cold.

I think the current managers are being quiet because they are planning to get rid of you. I see no other reason for them not to be forthcoming. You can go with the flow, or you can force the issue. Either way, you are going to have to deal with what they are planning. It does not look like they are dealing with what you are planning. Hopefully, this is not the case, but probably best to look for the best, but expect the worst.

You have no "legal" rights unless you have a contract with them, such as a Union Contract. You can try to work with them, but it sounds like it might be time to start looking elsewhere. Best of luck.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

If you're in a union, I can't speak to any "rights" that you might have.

If you work in an at-will state, then no, you do not have any "rights" regarding changing your schedule because you're in school. If you cannot work your agreed-upon schedule, it is up to the employer to work with you....or not.

Ok, that's what I was thinking, too. Thanks everyone ☺

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Agree with PPs... but I wanted to add -

I can't imagine any organization that wouldn't welcome an experienced nurse who only wants to work weekends!!! It would be a real 'pleaser' to the staff who could have more weekends off.

Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

I would welcome the opportunity of seasoned nurse wanting weekends only, always more call offs on weekends

I think PP have given you good advice

Best wishes

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