Ethical (?) Dilemma?

[flashpoint]

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

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?

[kaliRN]

You have earned your place on days.

The husband of this other nurse had no place interfering in his wife's position choice or contacting the DON. There is an issue of safety at play and it is unfortunate that this happened. I'm very glad no one including the nurse was harmed when she fell asleep at the wheel. However, working nights requires a period of adjustment, I imagine this nurse was not yet able to change her sleep pattern to sleep during daytime hours or has a home environment that does not allow for it. I believe some people are incapable of adjusting, those people should not be applying for positions on night shift.

You feel obliged to accommodate her and your employer at your own expense. While I agree that addressing your concerns with your employer seems logical, I also don't think this nurse's actions demonstrate the type of promise that Jolie's suggestion deserves.

Remember, she was aware that she was signing on for nights and she was the one who had the accident. If she is concerned about her ability to function safely in a night position, why not express her concerns to the DON herself? Where is the professional integrity? Essentially she is hiding behind her husband's demands for a day time position and that IMHO speaks volumes about her. It is an attempt to force the employer into a position where there is no negotiation. Instead of the DON having the opportunity to discuss ways that other nurses (such as yourself) have adjusted to function safely doing this shift or provide any number of alternative solutions, she is forced into this quandary, and forced to pass it on to you. Being sharp clinically does not excuse her inability to function with professionalism and accountability.

If the nurse would like a day time position, she should seek one, elsewhere or at your facility when another opens up.

[Mulan]

Did anyone reliable actually witness the falling asleep and landing in a ditch?

She hates nights?

Take the day position and don't think twice about it.

[laughing weasel]

Would you ask for special favors in her position? I bet you would not. You are not responsible for her problem. Take the job.

[leslie :-D]

op, the more i think about and read the responses, the more suspicious i get.

this chick is playing you, is playing the DON, and sounds incredibly devious.

just my opinion, but it does sound about right.

leslie

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Someone will mention in passing to you that you might think about staying on nights, and let the other nurse take the day spot. Just say, "Well, if they make it worth while I might." See what kind of offers, if any, you get.

I think that day position is yours to give up, and they SHOULD make it worthwhile before you think about stepping aside. But let them approach you, and don't be guilted into it, let them bribe you. Make sure you stay the powerful one in this situation.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

I think the new nurse and her husband are trying to take advantage of you. Take your day position. Heck, the new nurse was looking for a job when she took this one.

[nola1202]

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!

I think this is a wonderful example of someone who looks at the big picture and is working for the good of the company. There is a financial end to this business to be considered. However, my thoughts are along the lines of supporting and rewarding the employee who has in the past been an obvious teamworker, and remains free of resentments despite seeing jobs first posted for RN's, be changed to LPN's without in-house notice of reposting quilifications required.

I don't think much of someones husband calling and making demands. My first question is, does she know he even called. Did the alleged accident even happen, does the car show damage? You have no idea of the creativity of manipulative people. My tendency is to believe this person but I would suggest she become a prn dayshift worker, or perhaps management could find a way to cobble together a few different jobs for her to do that would consititute full time and utilize her skills. Bottom line, she was hired for nights, if she can't perform her job, she should be the one to go, not your proven valued employee.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

She was hired for nights. It's not working. You have earned the day position, and if this nurse is making threats about getting what she wants "or else", she's going to be a PIA with other things. It's the pits that she can't deal with the hours- shouldn't have taken the job.

Enjoy days :)

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

this isn't an ethical dilemma. you've got seniority, you wanted the day shift and were promised you'd get it. you've earned it by putting in your time on nights. take it. day shift positions don't come up that often.

years ago, i worked a rotating schedule opposite another nurse who came to me saying she just could not work nights, couldn't adjust to sleeping in the daytime and needed to work straight days. if i'd work the nights in our rotation, she'd work the days. if i ever got tired of doing the nights and needed a break, just tell her and she'd do her share.

when i got so i couldn't sleep in the daytime, couldn't stay awake at night and couldn't think straight any of the time, i asked my "friend" to work just one of the night shift rotations. she responded by bidding into a day shift position and i was stuck on nights until another rotation opened up -- months later -- that had a few less night shifts and a few more day shifts. all told, it took me four years to get off the night shift.

take the day shifts you were promised. i understand that your employer now has a dilemma -- but honestly, if someone will stoop to manipulation to get the shift they want, what will they do when faced with a true ethical dilemma -- such as admitting that they really pushed a whole amp of epi when the surgeon clearly asked for .1 mg? such as reversing the heparin and insulin drips and trying to cover it up rather than face the consequences and try to mitigate the harm to the patient? is that someone you really want to work for you?

[Sugarcoma, RN]

In my previous job we were subject to a whole slew of new grads who were hired for night shift positions and who found out after working one or two that they just could not work nights and demanded day shift positions. Some were put on days and some just quit. The ones who were put on days at the expense of others really caused a lot of issues with staff morale. The whole idea of walking into a new job and demanding a certain shift just irks me. You are a nurse you will work nights, holidays, weekends, etc. Get over it.

I do like Jolie's idea of bargaining however you have earned the day shift spot and should take it if you choose. Is the new nurses hubby gonna call when she is scheduled to work christmas? Or when her schedule interferes with something they have planned? You may be saving your employer potential headache down the road with this nurse and her demanding hubby.

[AreEn17]

Why is your employer even entertaining this nurse and her husband's demands? I understand they have invested some time and money into training her but who is in charge here? She applied for and was hired for a night shift position. The day shift position is not available. I can't imagine making demands of my employer and giving them an ultimatum. Especially in this job market! She will be easily replaced. Enjoy your day shift. You have earned it.

[OCNRN63, RN]

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! :)

Take the day shift position and don't feel guilty.