I live in a very, very small town that has a LTCU attached directly to the hospital. It's an absolutely beautiful place to work. The nurse to pt. ratio is very low (10:1), our DNS is very nice and it's just a very caring, awesome place to be.
I just graduated in August and was hired as a new grad the week after I graduated. I was informed that I am PRN because (verbatim) they "don't want to have to pay for benefits." I know this is typical and I'm not complaining, even though it's a VERY poor business ethic imo, but most of the nurses are classified as PRN, but our schedules are made 1 month in advance.
Again, my DNS is VERY VERY nice, but we had a long discussion when I was hired about the fact that I cannot work evening shift as 2:00-10:00p.m. is the time that my kids are home after school, and I'm a single mom. She was SO EXCITED! Because they have a nurse who's husband got orders to Germany that works nights and I can just take over her nights when she leaves. That way I'm always home with my kids when they aren't at school or sleeping.
I'm suddenly now scheduled for the entire month of December on evening shift. Another girl who failed her boards, was fired because of it, and was allowed to come back after she passed, was given the night shift. She has no children.
None of this is my bosses problem, but frankly I'm angry because I'm being taken advantage of. I showed up at work and had to bring my girls with me because I needed to pick something up, and 1 of the nurses heard I was there, called me on the radio, and had me do an NG tube with my kids in the day room with an aide. She wants me to come back to work at 6 tonight.
Earlier today I wasn't scheduled to work at all, and they penciled me in, pretended that I was scheduled the whole time, and told me I had to come and assist with wound care. I've set a precedent of doing whatever I'm asked, when ever I'm asked, and now I'm being pushed into choosing between my kids and my job.
The kicker is that the town I live in is so small, I have to drive 50 miles in either direction for another job that pays less, if I want anything else.
So I guess I'm asking, exactly how do I approach my boss about her going back on her word. I guess I'm venting a little too because I'm livid that I'm stuck in the middle of a popularity contest, and I feel like the hospital wants it both ways. They want the convenience of not having to guarantee PRN nurses anything, along with being able to have us at their disposal without regard to us. I was left stranded the day of a big college football game last weekend because EVERY SINGLE NURSE called off for 32 hours and NO ONE would come in because they were all at the game. Even the DNS said..."you know you can work up to 20 hours before we have to let you go home by law. I can't come in, I'm at the game."
You are PRN, when the schedule is a time you can't work just say you are not available, of course you may not get any hours but that is what PRN is about.
Second, Never practice nursing while you are off the clock, your co worker was wrong and you were wrong to help. If she was having issues I would offer to call for back up....that is all you are required to do.
Last you are low man on the totem poll, you must be a team player you need them more than you they need you.
Best of luck, you sound like a very caring person, as a mother you have to set limits, this is also true at work.
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Sorry to hear you're having such a rotten time. As far as I know, and I've been doing this for eons, you can't work more than 16 hours straight unless it's a true emergency...and football games DON'T count! As a PRN nurse you should expect to work all sorts of shifts, but if you can't you can't. Have an honest discussion with your DNS. Tell her you love your job, but your kids come first and if you can't work evenings, you can't work evenings. And to echo someone else's advice...don't work off the clock...why did YOU have to do the wound care?
Ma'am your DON might be very nice to your face but believe me when i tell you this. Behind that sweet smile and those tender words beats the cold blooded heart of a reptile who WILL THROW YOU UNDER THE BUS THE FIRST OPPURTUNITY SHE GETS!!! This "person" has no integrity, no morals she has already lied to you she has already deceived you and I doubt talking to her will do any good. I would leave that place immediatly before that "person" costs you your license. God bless you and your family:twocents:
kimima01
60 Posts
I really feel for you
. I hope things work out for the best.