Going back to per diem after working part time

[otilika]

Hi everybody! If any of you has experiences similar to mine, please share!

I started a job as a CNA in a hospital 1.5 years ago. While working there, I also started Nursing school. After half a year of working per diem on a unit, I decided that I could benefit more from a part-time position, and so, when an opening came up, I transferred to a part-time position, on a different floor. After nine months of working part-time, my manager changed the way she does scheduling/staffing. Up until now she would let us schedule ourselves, and I would work on days and at times when i don't have school. This month though, I saw that she put me down for days that I clearly submitted as the days when I can't work. I contacted her about that and she emailed me back and said that she needs to staff according to the unit's need, not the employee's preference. We made an appointment to meet and talk next week.

Now I am getting ready for quitting this position if we can't make changes. Although I love working on this unit and I love the team, the school-work conflict is significant for me, and I have to continue with school.

My first idea is to start applying to other per diem positions that are available in the hospital. I have a good reputation as an employee and I think I would be wanted by specific units, per diem. However, my concern is whether HR or future employers may frown upon me being "advanced" to part-time and then me wanting to go back per-diem and not appreciate the opportunity that they gave me. Will they think that I shouldn't have switched to part-time in the first place, knowing that school is so demanding? The honest truth is that at the time when I took part-time, my work schedule was made around my classes; now the manager changed that approach so it doesn't work for me anymore.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be much appreciated. My goals at this point are:

1. To not burn my bridges with the hospital (I would like to use them as a reference eventually). I would like to work there in any way possible, as long as it doesn't interfere with my studies.

2. To not create bad reputation for when I graduate and start looking for jobs as an RN.

Please advise! and thanks much in advance

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Believe me, no one will disparage you for placing a priority on completing your education. It should be a priority for you.

When you communicate with your manager, be sure to express your support and understanding for her position as a leader - e.g., need to focus on the needs of the department rather than individuals. Be sure to thank her for giving you the job and acknowledge how much you have benefited/learned from working for her and how much you regret having to make a change. Then, you can end by telling her that you would love to have an opportunity to work for her in the future after you have completed your education.