Have I been beaten

[catz123]

I am a junior at a four year nursing program. I work as a C.N.A. (for the past 7 years) at a state hopsital. I started working at this hospital because they said if you go to school for a nursing degree we will accomidate your school schedule. I have been working 7p - 7a every Friday and Saturday nights for the past two semesters. I only called in sick when I once with a doctors note because I had a bad virus. I have 7 week clinicals and this semester it falls on Saturday and Sunday. I did tell my place of employment that the school does not comply with work. They will make special considerations only if another class is conflicting. I have already satified the school with my bachlors degree. I am only taking nursing classes. My Place of employment has me scheduled until 4 - 12 friday nights. They want me to work at 4p right after my clinical until midnight and during the week they put me on 3p - 3a. I tried to explain that this won't work. I requested to work 7p - 7a on Tuesday and Wednesdays only. ( I get no over time for these 12 hour shifts because it still only my 24 hours) They told me that I had to work Friday's and Sundays. Also they don't give me a set schedule. They give it to me monthly and change it. This makes it more difficult for planning my time.

One weekend, the weekend of Columbus day they scheduled me Fri - Sat - and Sun from 7p- 7a, also that week they schedule me wed. from 7p - 7a. I did it figuring I would have the next weekend off. They scheduled me the next weekend also from 4 - 12 Fri and Sat. I got the lowest grade ever on my Med surg test. I failed with an F. I've gone to the dor and the ceo to express my concerns. I have to work to carry the insurance for my family. I had to withdraw from the nursing program before I failed out and got kicked out. It is very difficult to get another degree with out starting over. I waisted the last 7 years of my life going to school. I am so sad and depressed. I need another job. I did leave it open with the school (space providing) to re enter in Sept. but this has made me think...Is this the way I want to be treated forever? Why won't they back me? I am a float so it's not like it's effecting anyone else to have the weekends off. In this economy is it so difficut to find another job... I need some advice, help, direction. Any suggestions?

depressed and discouraged in Ma.

[nursejoy1, ASN, RN]

DOn't really have any advice- just want you to know that there are people out there that do care. ((((((((hugs)))))))))) I wish you the best

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I would talk to HR to see if anything could be worked out - even if you can transfer to another unit till graduation. Otherwise, you might try working elsewhere. Even a sandwich shop would be more accommodating.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

You were not beaten you were just ....pushed back a little. Trust me when I failed that first semester of nursing school my world crashed. But looking back I am glad it happened. I wasn't in the right mindset back then and I don't think I was fully prepared, but after two semesters, I went back and got it done. Don't be hard on yourself and keep moving forward! You can do it!

[1uvakindmom]

I know it's hard to find a job now, but with experience it is easier to find a job. There are some great job search websites out there. Being a CNA is very marketable, and there are places that are even hiring without having it posted on the web. If you are a Jr. in a nursing program, can you take the NCLEX-PN? Then you could work as an LPN while you work on your RN. You should look into that. You probably have enough classes behind you. I am a new LPN myself, starting my new job the 9th of November. I found this job by googling nursing homes in my area and then looking at their website if they had one and emailing them my resume. I was about to start mailing my resume to places that didnt have websites until I was offered this job. You live in Massachusetts? PM Me, I would love to try to help you more.

~Missy

[FLArn]

Look into a job with a staffing agency; you give them your availability and they book you to work when YOU are able. They may call and offer other shifts but you are not obligated to take them. Wish you the best and good luck.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

I would apply to the VA.

Here is a link to a page for the MA VA hospitals.

http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?STATE=MA

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I agree with chicookie--you aren't beaten. Nursing programs are very competitive. If you were good enough to get in, you have a lot going for you. And while these are difficult economic times, that's much less true in healthcare than elsewhere. I'd recommend you look for a different job right away. A lot of places look at employing aides who are nursing students as a way to recruit nurses. There are facilities that want you. And as someone else noted, there may be units within your present facility who want you enough to work with you.

If you have an idea what sort of nursing you want to do when you graduate, I'd look there first. It's not easy, most places, for a new GN to get a job in L&D, for example, but if you've done good work there as an aide, you might have a foot in the door.

I started school with the attitude that my job, as an orderly, came first, because I could do my job without school, but I couldn't go to school without my job. In orientation, I found out how many people who were qualified didn't get into my program, and I decided I'd flip burgers if I had to to get through school. It never came to that, because my manager worked with me on my schedule, and now I'm a nurse on the same unit.

One advantage I did have is that my job was a bit less critical than an aide's.

If we're short aides, it's a problem. If they were short in my position, it was merely inconvenient. So you might look for a job that isn't quite so indispensible. Still, if you tell someone up front the schedule you need and they agree to it, they ought to keep their word. And there are people who will. (Being willing to pick up extra shifts during school breaks is something any manager would appreciate.)

Hang in there. And I'd be looking hard for another job in the hope of getting back into school ASAP.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

I'm very sorry that you are experiencing this.....(((((hugs))))))....

[deleern]

request PTO

[CASTLEGATES]

You may think this sounds odd but going to the VP of the hospital works for things like this. Go schedule an appointment and tell them you know and love their facility and want to be an RN but they're preventing you from doing so. I say VP (if you have several, the appropriate one) because they are motivated where as the top may not be. Go for mid high level mgmt. We chose our own boss this way when we were "given" another one and ended up promoting one of our own!

If you're familiar with management, you dress like you're going to court, state the issue and keep it factual, impersonal and tell them you were scheduled xyz but had to withdraw and you'd love to complete it and stay there. State the problem and always come up with a solution (which may include floating to other units). At the end, they may ask some tough questions but a VP certainly understands drive to move up and succeed.

Regardless of what they say, thank them for their time and acknowledge their time is valuable and you're sorry to bother them with this but they're your role model and you'd like to just move up to nursing for now.

Feel it out and warm up to them if you can first. You can also schedule an appointment with your boss and the VP to hash it out. Bottom line is you want to be a greater asset in exchange for a little consideration and you'd be grateful and mention the word loyal. IF your manager is with you, give them an "out" and say "scheduling is likely preventing him/her from allowing my schedule change for school, perhaps there's some budgetary exception/exchange to help the manager? Never accuse (they may be best buddies for all you know).

That's what I'd do! I always get to know top management at any facility cause I can "see" what the vision is better (open meetings, etc). DOn't be a complainer, be a solution suggester!

Most top level management like ballsy moves like this (don't ask me why)...maybe it reminds them of them? I never look for high promotions; I just like to know how things work and when needed, ask for a pull if some help is needed to keep things running and my job secure.

[catz123]

I would like to thank you all for your advice and suggestions. I spent most of yesterday filling out applications on line and looking for leads in a new job. I would like to address some the comments. I did call the state to find out if I could sit for the lpn exam. They say you are not trained the same. If you are in a four year program and you are asked to leave and are unable to return and you have the required clinical hours then you are allowed to sit for the lpn exam.

I did follow the links and I did not see any cna jobs posted. I am going to look again. I don't understand what the last person ment by "pto" unless it ment part time only, which I am.

I truly want to thank all of you for your kind words and support. It has taken me a long time to come to the decision to withdraw and it was extremely difficult because as most of you know it took a lot for me to become a junior and I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Again, thank you all.