Ethical (?) Dilemma?

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Here is my dilemma...and this isn't a homework question. :D

In May, a position opened on the day shift. It was advertised for an RN (I am an LPN), so I didn't put my name in for it. The first week of June, the position wasn't filled, so I told my DON that I was interested if they would consider an LPN. She said that they would, but that they had hired an LPN for the position that morning.

About two weeks later, another RN resigned and the DON told me that if I wanted the open spot, it was mine once they had coverage on the night shift. In July, they hired two nurses and we started doing their orientation. I was supposed to start day shift in the middle of September.

The nurse who was supposed to be my replacement is doing awesome on orientation. She picks up on things quickly, she jumps right in to get things done, and she is a very good nurse. But...she hates nights...and she fell asleep driving home a few days ago and her car ended up in the ditch, inches from a fence.

Her husband informed her (and the DON), that she either gets the open position on day shift or she resigns. I now have two options...let this nurse take the position on days and stay on nights, or keep the position on days but keep working nights until they find and orient another replacement (probably another two or three months).

I would feel bad if the other nurse resigned and I can honestly handle nights without difficulty, but I really want that spot on days. I like being home in the evening and my family likes it too. I hate to see someone unemployed, especially since there are not a lot of jobs out there.

What would you do?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Technically you have seniority and were there first. Although I empathize with the other nurses position....if you really want days don't give them up. She either needs to do nights or get another job but she shouldn't come into a new position and push someone out of their position just because she wants it.

Keep your days.....you've earned them. :hug:

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precisely what esme said.

nothing ethical or unethical about it.

leslie

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It sounds like the other nurse was hired for nights which means she came into the job knowing and willing to go to nights. You say you want days so go and enjoy it, you never know how long it will be before days open up again.

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Specializes in MR/DD.

The nurse being trained knew she was being trained for night shift. So it is pretty much her problem. If she could not handle nights she should not have applied for the position in the first place.

Seriously?? her husband informed the DON? if my husband ever contacted my employer and informed them of anything.. well i would........ugh!

I understand your situation, and I too would feel a little guilty, However, where is her guilt? She is obviously not willing to tell her hubby to kiss off, and take the night shift so you can have days... so why offer her the same courtesy. You earned your spot on day shift.. so take it and enjoy your family! :)

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Thank you for posting this. It gives an opportunity to discuss the decision making process in relation to filling open spots. I am an employer (not in healthcare) and being in this new position has opened my eyes to decisions "higher-ups" must make that are not popular.

You are due the position. If you take it, another employee in whom your employer has invested a substantial amount of money, and who shows great promise will be forced (for her own safety) to leave. That doesn't change the fact that you are due the position.

It sounds like turnover is somewhat regular at your place of work. You indicate that you have the ability (if not the desire) the wait for the next opening, which will probably take a few months.

Your employer's dilemma is to keep a promise to you at the cost of losing a new employee and having to search again, train an unknown new nurse, who may or may not prove to be capable, responsible or committed to the job. The potential loss to your employer is literally thousands of dollars.

I suggest you request a meeting with your boss, verbalize your understanding of this, and offer a compromise. Perhaps in exchange for saving your employer thousands of dollars in hiring and training costs, they would offer you a bonus, raise or number of comp days, as well as a written promise that you get the next day shift job, no matter what.

It might be a win-win. Good luck!

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Not your problem.

Keep your days.

I agree with the previous poster... Why in the world would the husband get involved with her employer making demands and stuff...I'd have my reservations about this nurse if she is unable to handle her own business and sends the hubby to do it for her. :smackingf

Does her family matter more to you than your family? No. Be at home with your family if you have the chance. Don't be guilted out of smething that you have worked for and deserve.

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Turnover on day shift is pretty rare. The two positions came open because one nurse retired and another nurse was promoted to a management type position. A huge part of me wants to just forget about the new nurse and take the spot on day shift. But, I was already considering something along the lines of Jolie's advice.

Off to stew about it some more! :)

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Tongue in cheek...I am not trying to make light of what happened, however, I would have gladly driven into a ditch if I thought it would have gotten me out of doing nights.

You have put in your time. You earned it. Take it.

Edited to add: It rubs me the wrong way that it was communicated as a "give me this or I'll (she"ll) resign" I might feel differently if she had called and stated that she would need to resign from nights due blah blah. I'm not sure she'd end up being all she's cracked up to be.

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I have a medical ethics (philosophy) background. Your problem seems to boil down to Bullying. Do you let your replacement's husband bully you out of the position you want, or not. Its understandable that a nurse would want to fix matters for others. But if you attempt it, be prepared to pay the price. And don't expect any gratitude, appreciation, or consideration in return. People who bully or manipulate their way to the top rarely value those they step on. And you might consider whether the replacement is behind the bullying - using her husband as her "muscle." You can chose to be "gracious", but in doing so you will be empowering a bully. You're rights are part of the issue here also.

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Turnover on day shift is pretty rare. The two positions came open because one nurse retired and another nurse was promoted to a management type position. A huge part of me wants to just forget about the new nurse and take the spot on day shift. But, I was already considering something along the lines of Jolie's advice.

Off to stew about it some more! :)

while i can appreciate jolie's advice, keep in mind there is NO burden on you to try and appease your employer and this new nurse.

you're being guilted, and like the pp stated, being manipulated.

especially in light of this guy/husband chiming in with demands.

i'm sorry this is being made about you...

because you shouldn't even be involved.

you're just too nice.

allow me to be ticked off, for you.

leslie:)

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LOL...I would strangle my husband if he tried to make demands on my employer on my behalf.

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