going crazy with the politics

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Aug 17, 2013

Yes I agree that it is unfair, but that's a common complaint. You can stir the pot and insist on fair treatment, but you will make enemies. Having had the experience, and been totally unsuccessful, I say the best course is to keep your head down, do your work, and mind your business. You may be completely in the right, but the other side has all the power, and their combined weight will squash you.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2013

And stop picking up shifts. If you are not already petted it will not be appreciated and you will be treated like the proverbial work horse.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2013

look...... in life there are the special people. they are the chosen ones. I learned that as a very young child. You can speak up and usually end up worse off . my plan of action is to keep my head down and ignore it. do my job, work my scheduked weekends and holidays and i do not care if jane never works a weekend or holiday. oh well. speaking up rarely makes a difference and isnt worth being a martyr just for for a sence of righteousness . smile and nod.

Leesha · Aug 18, 2013

I totally agree that this sort of thing happens all the time and I have learned that speaking up will backfire for sure. It is certainly not fair but will not change anytime soon either. It's a shame that nursing school does not teach you about all of the office politics that you have to deal with once you begin practicing.

Best of luck.

Leesha

blueheaven · Aug 18, 2013

Time for use of the serenity prayer!

BrandonLPN, LPN · Aug 18, 2013

I thought about trying to become one of the "chosen ones" at work, but it seemed like it involoved way too much butt-kissing and schmoozing to be worth it.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Aug 18, 2013

If one has sick time, not sure why if one is sick, they just are not put down as sick.

In any event, some facilities give "cancel" time options to the most senior nurses to begin with. And the nurses who have never ending sick and vacation time with lots to spare can usually afford the cancellations. I would not want to be in the position where I had little sick and/or vacation time left, and use it for a day here and there. Before you know it, you have no time left, and the cancellations are unpaid.

Night shift I am not sure I would want to be cancelled. If I have slept in preperation for a night shift, then get cancelled, then what? Up all night anyways?

It is nice that you all have higher staffing ratios. Better then inadequate staffing.

If there is some time that you would like to be considered for cancel, then I would speak up and say "tomorrow if there's a chance to be cancelled, I would like to be called". Or ask if you can take an "on call". This may or may not work, but at least it is out there.

There are a number of nurses who don't want to be cancelled due to not wanting to use up their PTO. Vacations are usually seniority based. And I am not sure what "cancelled" means if you are finding replacements for yourselvses. That is more like a schedule switch. If you are union, look at your contract. If there's a policy on time off, look at it. If the LPN in question has to find her own replacement, then you really can't take the vacations you are entitled to--and something to talk to HR about. Otherwise, the facility has no obligation to cancel anyone, and you all may find yourselves being cancelled when you don't want to be, And that is not a situation that would be good for anyone who has financial obligations and no time left.

blueheaven · Aug 18, 2013

I ran into the situation where I ran out of comp time, vacation time and sick leave when my husband was sick. I would not wish that on anyone. As you all know the bills keep coming.

If your hospital has a union, get out the contract! Just because you are union doesn't keep administration from trying to mess you over. We had issues with scheduling here and the union called them on it and it stopped.

Do-over, ASN, RN · Aug 19, 2013

I have found it is much less aggravating to worry only about myself and my schedule. What other people do, or get away with, is none of my business.

AS for getting cancelled or on-call... I may take it if offered, but I need to earn money to live. If I didn't want to work all my hours every week I would work part-time or contingent...

janeybirdRN · Aug 22, 2013

Night shift I am not sure I would want to be cancelled. If I have slept in preperation for a night shift, then get cancelled, then what? Up all night anyways?
If there is some time that you would like to be considered for cancel, then I would speak up and say "tomorrow if there's a chance to be cancelled, I would like to be called". Or ask if you can take an "on call". This may or may not work, but at least it is out there.

If I'm cancelled, I might stay up till 1 or 2am but then I sleep. I have super sleeping abilities that allow me to sleep sometimes for 16+ hours or other times for only 5. And we don't have on call- but we really should.

janeybirdRN · Aug 22, 2013

I have found it is much less aggravating to worry only about myself and my schedule. What other people do, or get away with, is none of my business.
AS for getting cancelled or on-call... I may take it if offered, but I need to earn money to live. If I didn't want to work all my hours every week I would work part-time or contingent...

agreed on both accounts. a lot of the people I work with are the sole bread winners and they don't want to be canceled but sometimes they are and I am still working. neh. I'm just going to stop asking for anything and just do my job. also- not picking up shifts unless I really want to. thanks everyone for the feedback.