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?

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

I appreciate the thoughtfulness of jolie's response but business is business especially in modern America. If you compromise, so to speak, and a few months go by and you have to be on days, expect your boss to come back to you with, "you should have thought of that when you let Kathy take your spot." You are a sucker for even entertaining it.

What amazes me is that the er docs almost always work rotating shifts and you don't hear them whining like school girls about it. It's just nurses.

[PediNurse3]

Who does her husband think that he is, making these types of demands? I shouldn't laugh but it really is comical. Is he going to demand that she gets a 10% raise every year, and all holidays off as well?

I hated nights, too, but it was a means to an end. I wanted a job in the PICU, and all that was available was night shift. I put my name on the wait list for days...and waited, like everyone else.

She applied for nights, was hired for nights...it's only fair that she stay on them until a day slot opens. On principal alone, I would not let someone manipulate me into giving up a dayshift that I had been waiting for. If she's willing to let her husband try to pressure her into resigning just because she has to work the shift that she was hired for, I am willing to bet that in the long run there would be other problems.

Keep your days!

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I echo the sentiments of everyone else, and don't have much to add.

[stephc1973]

Maybe her husband can find her another job that suits them both.

[All4Seasons]

If I were in your position I would not give up your chance at workng days- you have done your stint on nights.The other nurse will need to sort out her situation. Very few nurses aren't sleepy,_to some degree,after night shift. And please don't burden yourself with guilt.

[Old.Timer]

Maybe her husband can find her another job that suits them both.

One little kudo wasn't nearly enough :) Great comment !

[nowim clean]

Jolie, I do understand what you are saying,.....but if this is allowed then you stand the chance of your employees walking to another job the next time they are not happy about something. What should happen since the husband has made this anouncement is thank the person ask them if they want to reconsider their stand and if they are not willing to go to nights cut strings now.

[kalevra, BSN, RN]

You should take the position, you need to look out for yourself from time to time as well. Your just as important as the new hire. Don't feel bad about taking the position, plus you have seniority. Just because she crashed her car in a ditch because she wasn't used to night shift doesn't mean she you should drop everything you had setup for yourself. Maybe she needs to adjust her routine.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

It sounds to me like she was perfectly happy to find a night shift position on this floor at this hospital until she learned there was a day position open that lead to the night position being open. She would prefer days and is finding a way to get it.

Honestly I cannot even FATHOM my husband interfering in anything to do with my career on that level. Good grief - is she 12? And how did you even find out about this crap? Why would someone bring you in on it except to try and guilt you into changing your mind or for gossipy titillation? It has nothing to do with you - you didn't cause the alleged accident (which just sounds fishy to me).

Take the day position and don't look back. I am sorry for the employer, but screening potential employees for their ability to be satisfied with the job that is actually being offered is their job. I like the compromise ideas brought up, but frankly in today's market of disloyal employers I just would not trust such an agreement to actually work out in my favor most of the time. If the person making the agreement should leave their position or the company, any agreement reached will leave with them.

[ShayRN]

I have a feeling that she is tired because she isn't "allowed" to sleep during the day. Her husband sounds like a real gem. I say, take the day spot. You earned it.

[retiredlady]

Take the day shift. New nurses don't get everything. They have to work their way up also. That's my opinion and that's what we had to do and your boss should see that. I'm sure there's others who would gladly take her place. Her husband is another matter. What would he say if she went to her job and demanded something? That would be a battle, lol.

[kakamegamama]

Family first, when given the option.