Unable to Advance my RN Position

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone, I am stuck in a career dilemma. I want to leave my current job for a possible better opportunity, but the job advancement for my unit is within hands reach. I agree with my peers to wait it out.” I just need an outlet to vent.

My Scenario

I have been working as an extra help” RN 1 for more than 15 months and found out I cannot advance to RN 2. My hospital policy states any RN who has been employed by the facility is given the opportunity to advance to RN 2 after 1 year of the same unit. I applied and I was denied. I made a formal email with my Nurse Manager and asked what I could do to make myself applicable. She expressed that I am more than qualified and she would have approved my request. Unfortunately, the policy only applies to employees who are receiving hospital benefits.

Extra Help” is similar to per diem, but with more shifts per pay period and without hospital benefits. I chose to work at this position because I was a New Grad living in competitive market and it was the only job offer at the time. I did not have many choices after applying across the state. It was a paid RN acute hospital care experience without having to go to a SNF/LTC. I am, however, able to advance into a benefit position as I continue working.

In the past year, I have been applying to all benefit RN positions in my facility. I have been very frustrated after seeing those positions, for my own unit, given to newer nurses who were hired months later. The most disheartening was witnessing a nurse completing orientation, receive the benefit position straightaway, and then resigning from the hospital after only 3 months.

I am the most senior extra help RN in my unit (not saying seniority should play factor). The seasoned nurses are aware of my situation and are advocating for my advancement. They are in full agreement that I should have been benefited after my probationary period as they did in the past.

All I can do is just wait. My entire unit has been very supportive and my nurse managers expressed I am the priority for the next benefit position opportunity.

Thank you for reading.

I would love words of encouragement.

Pardon my ignorance, but are you in another country? I've never heard of an RN 1 or RN 2.

It was a general way for categorizing nurse titles to hospitals. (I.e. Kaiser's Staff Nurse I or II)

Pardon my ignorance, but are you in another country? I've never heard of an RN 1 or RN 2.

We had RN I and RN II in the Texas hospital I worked at. RN II was a nurse with at least two years of experience. When you reached it, there was a $5+ hourly pay raise.

Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

Clinical Ladder, my friends. RN I, RN II, RN III, RN IV, and RN V. I am a RN II and will most likely never advance past a RN III because I do not have the time (or desire) with school to do all the extras we are required to do, i.e. certifications, projects, conferences, etc.

ETA:

I was not able to qualify for RN II until I had at least two years experience FYI.

Clinical Ladder, my friends. RN I, RN II, RN III, RN IV, and RN V. I am a RN II and will most likely never advance past a RN III because I do not have the time (or desire) with school to do all the extras we are required to do, i.e. certifications, projects, conferences, etc.

ETA:

I was not able to qualify for RN II until I had at least two years experience FYI.

I knew there were more, but never bothered with learning the details after realizing I had to "do stuff". For RN II, I only had to show up for my scheduled shifts for two years.

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

OP,

I feel for you. This would really make my blood boil. It's demoralizing. I left the hospital where I was a tech, because they stalled on giving me an RN position. It wasn't very long and I didn't burn any bridges, but dang I was mad as hell.

I think it is time to start looking for another job. If your manager steps up while you are looking, then fine. If not, be on your way.

Specializes in SICU,CTICU,PACU.

i agree with other people. i would look for employment in different hospitals. the hospital you currently work at clearly does not care that you are invested in staying with the company as they are hiring multiple new grads over someone who currently works in-house and wants to stay. sounds like you have some good experience and can get a job elsewhere.

manager doesnt have a say....I say that is a much of baloney......Probably not going to change, so if one isn't happy, best to start looking elsewhere, but keep it cordial as you never want to burn any bridges....

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Set a time limit (tolerable to yourself) for them to do the right thing, such as "I will wait X more number of months".

Or a boundary, such as "The next benefited position in my unit must be offered to me" (not an outside candidate).

This puts you in control of whether you choose to remain with this employer or look elsewhere.

Best wishes

Time to either consult an attorney for discrimination or get a new job. Those are the only things you can do that are within your control.

Set a time limit (tolerable to yourself) for them to do the right thing, such as "I will wait X more number of months".

Or a boundary, such as "The next benefited position in my unit must be offered to me" (not an outside candidate).

This puts you in control of whether you choose to remain with this employer or look elsewhere.

Best wishes

I think the boundary made with the boss is definitely important. If OP can discuss something that she can hold her boss accountable to and have it in writing, she will have more leverage. And, if she must leave the job then she can tell the next employer this information which will make her look more professional. If something is explicitly discussed and agreed upon (especially in writing) and the past employer fails to come thru, it's usually very understandable to a hiring entity.

Honestly and I hope it doesn't happen but it could happen at another job. it is shame that places of employment can do this to people but it is the reality. Hopefully you will get what you deserve and you won't have to keep going from job to job.

Time to either consult an attorney for discrimination or get a new job. Those are the only things you can do that are within your control.

What discrimination has occurred?

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