a few workplace woes that I need some help with

[hapeewendy]

*sigh* just when I was thinking things were not so bad it seems all heck broke loose at work........

our hospital f'd up its budget so bad that despite being short staffed ALL THE TIME 87 nurses are going to lose their jobs, I will most likely be one of them - I'm not too overly concerned about it but a lil nervous, anyway thats just issue #1 - as some of you know I'm doing my BSCN part time at school and have been given permanent night shift, well the "manager" has informed us that she will be removing one of us from permanent nights (five of us presently do this shift), despite the fact that we are always short on nights and no one wants to work nights so we are fufilling a unit need by doing this ,she figures she can change things at will. She says things like "it was a trial and error thing , not definite that you all would be doing night shifts, I can change the schedule" yadda yadda ... its so frustrating because with the switch from nights to days I tend to get really run down and more apt to being sick... which brings me to the next woe, sick time .. she says the rationale for changing some of us back to day night rotations is that there are too many sick calls for night, but she just doesnt have her facts straight on this one!!! all shifts battle with sick calls....... besides if youre sick youre sick, and a lot of people call in sick to avoid all the nonsense going on at work right now.. I always come in, press forward, try to do my best , but I'm getting so tired of never knowing whats going on , whats being said behind my back , or where I stand...

I like the unit I work on and most of the nurses I work with, and really feel as though I'm making a difference- which is probably why I am still there, but I just dont know what to do, people have suggested trying to bring my concerns to the "higher powers" in management or nursing practice but I just dont know ..........*sigh*

merry freakin christmas ...

its such a shame really because I get so much positive feedback from coworkers,patients and families........

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Sounds like no one has a clue there! I vote for polishing your resume and look for another job asap!!

How on earth can they lay off 87 nurse???? Do they plan on closing down a few units?? Using agency??

I have no answers for you Wendy, but I'd say get ready to split. The shyt is about to hit the fan big time, do you want to be sprayed w it??

[New CCU RN]

Sounds like a ridiculous idea to me.... sorry you have to deal with this...esp right around the holidays....gotta love when they stick it then...

Anyhow, this same thing happened not too long ago where I work.... big layoffs.... even though we are short....

They ended up eliminating alot of "vacant" holes as well as ancillary help.... they layed off housekeepers, unit clerks, our emergency EKG tech people, and PCTs... as far as I know no nurses though....

Its too bad they couldnt just lay off a few management people that would make up for like 5 or 6 of the housekeepers... such a shame and disgraceful in my opinion....

Good luck with it all

[fergus51]

Wendy, are you able to talk with the manager and point out that you don't use much sick time so she should mind her business and leave you where you are?

Do you mind if I ask what hospital you're at? I've applied for work at a few toronto hospitals and would like an insiders pov.

[sjoe]

"I just dont know what to do"

Sounds to me that you DO know what to do, but first will need to overcome some inertia.

Set your own limits and boundaries and stick to them. I've been reading your posts here for some time, and there is no doubt that you will either create in your present facility or find in a different place, just what you need. (People willing to work night shifts are very much sought after by most 24-hour facilities.)

You are welcome to borrow my motto:

[mother/babyRN, RN]

It is all about money...They simply don't want to pay good nurses good salaries.....Experienced and , ahem,. older ones like me make top dollar. they don't mind it when we leave.....Isn't THAT sad? Wish you all the best...

[tattooednursie, LVN]

(((((Wendy))))) Hang in there! That Facility sounds really f'd up if they are laying off 87 nurses. I would look for a new job asap!

[Sleepyeyes]

you might want to remind them that laying off all those nurses would create a "snowball" effect-- no one wants to work short, and many others will leave if forced to do so.....

I'd have my resignation typed and in my locker, and a couple of agencies lined up for the day that the first nurse got the sack.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Oh geeze I am so sorry things are turning upside down. I don't know what to say. Would you rather hang on and rotate shifts or go elsewhere? Sad about the lay offs.

renerian

[DIPLOMATICRN4HIRE, MSN, RN]

Stupid is as stupid does. I would dust off your resume and find somewhere that not only hire you and work around your school schedule, but also possibly give you incentative to help you fund your schooling with a possible contract with staying with them after you complete school.

87 nurses lay off Have they not read the news????

What did an administrator need a raise and nowhere else they could come up with the ignorant amount of money to pay the suit?

Just my thoughts

Zoe

[SmilingBluEyes]

(((Wendy))) like sjoe says, YOU KNOW what to DO....but finding the strength and guts to act can be tough. I would be looking around for a better situation myself. But that is ME...and to ME CHANGE IS VERY STIMULATING AND I FIND I DO better WITH occasional CHANGE in my life. For you, it may be a life-saver. But of course, you alone, can make that decision. It does NOT hurt to weigh your options and do some window-shopping, though! I wish you well. Any facility is lucky to have anyone like YOU on staff!

[flowerchild]

When I was involved in a layoff, they gave me a very nice severence package. Those that quit before the layoff received nothing.