Up until a couple weeks ago I was working for a great facility that paid pretty much top dollar. Unfortunately this facility had major turnovers where staff was concerned. I think in the 2.5 years I'd worked there, we went through about 7 different DON's. The first DON who hired me knew I cannot work days and wanted evenings or nights and she needed an evening shift nurse to cover weekends. I can only make up to $940/mo. to keep my SSDI benefits until I feel I can handle full time again. Every DON since then has worked with me, even with a census of 20 in a 60 bed facility.
Then here comes this new GN...they hired her right out of school. She made the remark to several of us nurses that she would never work weekends or nights. Oddly enough, she seemed to have brought staff with her from another facility because all of a sudden, there was a great influx of new LPN's. Anyway, this new DON called me on the phone and told me if I couldn't work days then she didn't need me. The reason I can't work 6a to 2p is because I take meds to help me sleep and I'm groggy in the mornings...the grogginess starts wearing off around noon. I tried to tell her this but she wouldn't listen and told me she had no openings for me, so I sighed and told her I quit.
I figured since nurses are in such demand that I could find another job right away...WRONG. I'm on several "lists" of employers in case an opening comes available...I guess people don't want to pay an RN to work evenings or nights...you'd think that is the one shift to have trouble covering.
I did put in an application at our local womens' prison. I have never worked with inmates before...if any of you out there have, let me know what job duties I could expect.
Update: I contacted the administrator of the facility and he was very vague with me and refused to give me the coporate's phone number...but I found it anyway and called corporate and told them what happened. They sounded really concerned and told me they would call me back tomorrow.
Then, just to see what rights I had, I contacted the ADA, and just now, the EEOC. I can download a form and file a claim. I thought I'd wait to file anything until I hear what corporate has to say about it. All I want is my job back...and just one weekend a month on evenings or nights. If they say no, I'm filing the claim and also consulting with an attorney who specializes in disability stuff. They haven't heard the last of me yet!
Nursing is not like it used to be. It is getting harder and harder. Being on disability, have you looked into other areas that you could use your nursing experience such as some type of nurse hotline. I have heard that some doctors even hire nurses to take calls at night and screen calls.
Not to be harsh.....don't take this wrong, but hearing your physical problems and then the meds you are on......if I were an employer, I would be cautious about hiring you. You want to keep your SSID until you are sure you can handle full time work. Well, what happens if one day, you can't even handle part time. What if one day, your meds effect your critical thinking judgment. As an employer, I don't know and if I have several applicants, I'm going to choose the one that I think can handle the physical and mental stress that goes with nursing today.
I've worked in a prison as a prison nurse. It would not be a good place for you with your history.
Is there any possibility of picking up some per diem work on evenings or nights (if you can handle nights)?
That way you could tell them, flat out, I am available for these shifts, this many days a week, period. They might (will) try to guilt you into more days but they probably wouldn't try it for long if you were up front from the beginning.
And unless you must disclose your medical history to personnel, I would tell the pre-employment physical practitioner ONLY, and tell the rest that you simply have personal obligations that do not permit you to work more than x hours per week on x shift. Toot sweet, end of story.
loricatus
1,446 Posts
Glad to hear it. Wishing the best for you.