Employer's negative response to Reserves

Published

3 years ICU/CCU experience. CCRN.

I started work at teaching/research hospital in the CCU one month ago. I am

super happy here, loving the job. I have been interested in the Air Force

and joining as a reservist at some point in the future. I haven't even

talked to a recruiter only looked up about it on the internet. Well

I emailed my new manager and asked her what she thought about

my joining the reserves in the future and that I had not joined and that

I just wanted to "test the waters" with her and see what she thought.

Her response was very negative. I was surprised that a teaching facililty

would not recognize the clear advantage of having military nurses among

their staff.

She said that I should have told her about this when I interviewed

and that if I wasn't committed to (hospital) I needed to come see her

immediately. She inferred that I was not committed to my new position

simply because I had expressed interest in the reserves!

Also she said the vacation leave was already granted for 2011 and

that I didn't have enough PTO anyway.

I emailed her back saying that all I had done was to research

the idea, hadn't even TALKED to a recruiter and that I would

revisit the idea in 2012, next year given her response.

I am worried she might now let me go as I am in the first 90

days of my employment, the probationary period because I

have expressed interest in the reserves. It's really

ashame that she would react so negatively when all I did

was ask what she thought to get her feed back about the

subject?. I was very nice about it.

As much as I like this job, I find the lack of support for the

military making me rethink my position there. It's a shame

more hospitals don't support the members of the military.

Military nurses are tough and having one on your civilian

unit is a total privilege.

Any one have any similar experience? Thoughts on this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't had this experience as a nurse, but when I was a nurse's aide, I was working at a hospital where they made me use my PTO for my training time, which happened to be 30 days long. I had to scramble to find a sub for my schedule work hours when I got home upon finding out that my PTO was gone. I received no apologies from the scheduling office and no help from them in finding a sub. It's unfortunate, but many hospitals see nurses who have a committment to the military as being uncommitted to the hospital. You're right: it's a shame and a disgrace on the hospital for not supporting us as we support our men and women overseas. When/if I leave active duty as an Army nurse, I personally will never go back to work at the hospital I was at again unless I see a marked difference in their attitude toward the armed services. If you decide to leave your position, I wouldn't blame you a bit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just did a search on google and my hospital was sued by a nurse for discrimination in 2007. She

was high ranking in the military as a reservist having served for many years and

had a high level RN administrative position at my hospital.

They let her go after she told her supervisor she was to be deployed again.

the hospital lost the lawsuit.

It appears they have not changed as an institution.

I am just hoping they don't let me go now that they know I am interested in joining the reserves as I

am still in the 90 probationary period all RNs go through as new hires.

PTO:

It seems like I should be able to take unpaid leave time for my initial training. If I don't have

enough PTO then so be it. What does it matter to the hospital if they pay me via my vacation time

or not during my training? They seem to be saying, generally, that you can't go train for military if

you don't have enough vacation time saved up to take that time off. In my mind being granted

time off to train and being paid for your time off are two separate things. hmmmm. frustrating

I am sure this was for you. It feels like they are trying to use the PTO rules to punish people

who are serving.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are on military orders your employer has to give you the time off. Some with pay/most do not. It is also a misdemeanor for them to descriminate you.

With that being said.. I have NEVER EVER even told them I was in the Guard until AFTER I have gotten the job. Then it is too late!

You might want to explain to your Manager the chances of you being selected for the AF are slim and the process is long.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

wait, what do you mean my chances of being selected for the AF are slim? Is that true? How do

you know my chances?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Also I HAVE already gotten the job. I am in the automatic probation period that all nurses

go through when they are hired, like I said in my post.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What I was saying is I am already in and I would never mention in a job interview that I need 1-weekend a month, 2weeks a year and Oh Yeah there is a possibility of a deployment.

Had you done the slightest research you would see that all branches of the Military are full. The AF has always been the toughest and rumor has they are downsizing... thats how I know your chances.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

and I know you've ALREADY gotten the job.... Its a good thing you like it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, OR, FNP.

surprise; many nurses are lefty mil-hater goofballs. if i’ve said it once, i’ve said it every day – the only problem with nursing is that it’s run by nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Tango,

Thanks for the feedback. I looked around at some of the posts

and like you said generally it is hard to be accepted for a position

right now, too many applicants I guess. I feel bad for all

the new grads being told there is a nursing shortage and

then not being able to find work. I wasn't exactly sure of your

tone bc this is the internet and sometimes its hard to tell

what people are implying.

It seems like it would be easier for someone like me, approaching

4 years exp and CCRN critical care and trauma certification.

If it's as hard I have been reading that really is a measure

of how the economy has slowed, new grads looking for work.

I do think I have some other qualifications that make me

an attractive candidate for the military. I will still talk to the

recruiter and start the long process. The truth is I've been

thinking about this for about three years and I just can't let

it go. I want to join. The fact that my manager was negative

just made me want it more. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
surprise; many nurses are lefty mil-hater goofballs. if i've said it once, i've said it every day - the only problem with nursing is that it's run by nurses.

hey,

i'm a lefty and i totally support the mil. the situation with my manager is more complex than simple rep vs. dem. there

are institutional pressures, financial pressures etc on the manager. not that i support her negative stance, i just don't think

it has anything to do with her being a lefty.

somehow i don't even think you are a nurse the way you speak about

my profession...."the only problem with nursing is that its run by nurses". some of the toughest finest people

i ever met are nurses and it offends me that you would say something like this.

if you even are a nurse, i dare you to do better. i dare you to participate in unit councils and committees and

bring about the changes you think are necessary to improve nursing as a whole. if you aren't willing

to improve nursing than please get out of my way and take a seat. :twocents:

.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

tahoe77 - I would go for it, the worst that can happen is that you don't get selected and then you decide if you want to try again. I'm in a similar position (though I am trying for new grad slots) and I figure I don't have much to lose other than the time I spend collecting all of the various paperwork. It's something I want and I would much rather know that I tried my best and didn't get selected than wonder what would have happened if I had applied. And who knows, you just might get selected!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion