For one of my jobs, I am scheduled for days except for one weekend a month, in which I'm scheduled for evenings. I am generally pretty flexible about which day shift I get...6 am, 6:30, 7:30 or 8. However, there is a shift that starts at 5 am, which I absolutely do not want. So far, during my two years of working, I have been able to trade out of all the 5 am shifts I have been assigned. Just recently, I was assigned another one, and was not finding a replacement as fast as I wanted, as one I had found backed out of it, so I put in a slip for PTO. The day after I put in the slip I found someone to trade with. I also found a copy of the slip in my work mailbox with a checkmark saying "Not approved" and "on the wait list." Granted, I did know that I had a low chance of getting it, since there were already two other people approved for PTO and three more before me on the waitlist. So, I heard right away about not getting PTO, but haven't heard about the trade that I put through. I'm starting to think I was in the wrong for even asking in the first place. Everyone, including the supervisor, is well aware that I do not want 5 am shifts, especially after working an evening before (I work until 11 pm the night before this next one). I do have to wonder if maybe I blew my chances with a trade since I asked for PTO on a day that I could easily see had five other people before me.
I also have to say that our 5 am, 6 am, and 6:30 shifts are at the hospital and our 7:30 and 8:00 am shifts are at the clinic. I have a tendency to put in trades whenever I'm assigned to the hospital, since I prefer the clinic hours. Also, if I'm asked to switch, I'm always willing to go to the clinic, but am more resistant about switching to the hospital. I also never ask for PTO when I'm assigned a clinic shift.
I am feeling guilty about all this and am not sure if this guilt is legitimate or not. I'm thinking it is, because I know that as a day person, 5 am shifts are included. I am actually not assigned very many of them, but panic when one does show up. I also know that I would do a good job at this shift, while some of the people that are never assigned the shift would struggle. There are others who do well with the 5 am shift as well, and even enjoy them, but it's probably unrealistic and unfair to even expect those people to take them all the time. Not to mention, my preference for the clinic over the hospital is becoming obvious, as coworkers have mentioned that I'm down at the clinic a lot. Also, I'm not the only person that prefers the hours downtown, and I know it. If someone else wants to switch from a hospital shift to downtown, I probably should make the effort to do that sometimes, as well. Yes, I work two jobs, and getting up early is exhausting, but it is also my choice to work two jobs, and still need to do my fair share at both.
So...do you think I should say anything about the PTO slip in (as in, apologize) or just be quiet about it? Is this something I should avoid doing in the future? Do you think I should start asking for PTO for some of my clinic shifts so it does not seem as suspicious when I ask for PTO for my hospital shifts? Chances are, when I want time off, I have a better chance of getting a clinic shift off than a hospital shift.
I don't know though...maybe I'm overthinking the whole thing...
You should not be forced to use PTO and switch shifts to get the schedule you want. It seems you have been jockeying for years now. Who makes the schedule, and what idiot gave you a 6 hour turn around time?
OP has been a nurse for less than a year, first job didn't work our and has been at least one of two jobs nos less than 6 mos. I think the shift conflicts are due to working two jobs.
Op you haven't clarified this so I will ask again. We know you work two jobs. Is it the same employer scheduling you back to back (finishing at 11pm only to come back at 5) or is your evening shift for one job and your am shift for another? If it's the latter then you might not really have room to complain because, despite the complexities, you chose to work two jobs with the potential for scheduling complications and neither of your employers probably care that the schedules aren't working for you as long as their slots are filled. If there is someone who would rather work the early shift (and I assume get off earlier) then by all means ask them if they want to switch. Asking for PTO isn't wrong, no harm in asking, but what are you going to do if they say "no"? It will become "wrong" if you're denied PTO and then decide to call off. However, having only 6 hours between shifts is illegal in most states and really not best for your patients. You are really in a pickle.
It seems like this is an ongoing scheduling problem that you are addressing with PTO. I'd advise you to get the scheduling problem solved by discussing with your manager and trying to negotiate a mutually agreeable solution. Then you can use your PTO for fun things like vacations, sanity days, or the inevitable sick day.
However, having only 6 hours between shifts is illegal in most states and really not best for your patients. You are really in a pickle.
Agreed. My state mandates 8 hours between shifts, so this would not fly where I work.
But if each shift is from a separate job, the 5am job is in no way obligated to accommodate the 11pm job...so yeah, you got yourself stuck. And calling off after getting denied PTO will only make things worse.
Your facility allows you to request PTO after the schedule has been posted? That's quite unusual. Every job I've worked in required all requests to be submitted a set amount of time before the schedule was finalized.
I would first familiarize yourself with facility policies- what are the expectations for requesting PTO and what are the rules on how many hours must be allowed between shifts?
One of my workplaces allows you to request PTO even on the same day you're requesting it, which is completely different from my other workplace, in which you must put in for PTO 8 weeks in advance. The job that this post is about doesn't have specific expectations as to when or how you can request PTO; you can request it how or when you want, knowing, of course, there is no guarantee that you'll actually get it. As for the hours required between each shift, there doesn't really seem to be any guidelines. I've known some people to work until 11:30 or later at night and come back in for the 5 am shift.
Is it the same employer that schedules a back to back late pm and early am shift? Or are
is the 11pm shift assigned by your other employer?
I think if the hiring agreement was for different, if you always attempt to opt out somehow you may appear to look like you're trying to beat the system. It may not seem like a big deal if you can get the trades and/or PTO but consider how you would be viewed by your manager and coworkers alike if you did this to avoid working any weekends if weekends were included in the hiring process. There's purplegal trying to never to pull a weekend like the rest of us do..
You've had a bumpy start, it would be wise to solidify your employment before risking having a questionable work history. I would at least show up or offer to trade for a 5am shift on the days that don't follow a late pm shift.
Both shifts are assigned by the same employer. But that's what I'm afraid of, is being viewed unfavorably by my manager and/or coworkers, and possibly causing some resentment. Granted, many of my other coworkers do the same thing. For example, some of them prefer working at the hospital and will always put in for PTO if they are assigned downtown. Several of them request weekends and/or certain shifts if it interferes with their ability to watch football. Almost everyone has their preferences and do their best to work their preferred shifts. Doesn't necessarily mean it's right, though.
I have actually worked with this employer before, and have a good reputation with this department. But yeah, I've been thinking I shouldn't necessarily avoid the ones that aren't after a late night shift...
Op you haven't clarified this so I will ask again. We know you work two jobs. Is it the same employer scheduling you back to back (finishing at 11pm only to come back at 5) or is your evening shift for one job and your am shift for another? If it's the latter then you might not really have room to complain because, despite the complexities, you chose to work two jobs with the potential for scheduling complications and neither of your employers probably care that the schedules aren't working for you as long as their slots are filled. If there is someone who would rather work the early shift (and I assume get off earlier) then by all means ask them if they want to switch. Asking for PTO isn't wrong, no harm in asking, but what are you going to do if they say "no"? It will become "wrong" if you're denied PTO and then decide to call off. However, having only 6 hours between shifts is illegal in most states and really not best for your patients. You are really in a pickle.
The two shifts I am talking about are with the same employer. For sure, this wouldn't even be a conversation if one shift was for one job and the second, the other job. I've actually worked similar schedules, working until as late as 1 am and returning to work for my other job at 6 or 6:30 am. Those are on me, because, as you said, it's my choice to have the two jobs. I wouldn't expect either employer to accommodate my two jobs, although both have actually been pretty great at doing so (I'm lucky to have good management at both places who appreciates any hours you are able and willing to give).
I guess I was just worried how it appeared that I put in for PTO after working a late night shift and it happens to be a morning shift that I try to avoid altogether. I agree that calling in sick after being denied PTO was wrong, and wasn't planning on that. Actually, I was trying to prepare myself for working the shift in the case I couldn't get a trade or PTO.
Six hours in between or a period allowing 6 hours of rest? I'm not a nurse (start nursing school next week) but my current job didn't want to allow me the required 8 hours of rest time for military drill. My civilian job claimed that since I get off at 11pm and my drill isn't until 7 that they were giving me the required hours off. So, I had to look up the law and show them that it specifically says a period that is conducive to allowing me to get 8 hours of rest. No way I could get 8 hours of rest when you consider I have to drive home, shower, and get ready for drill especially since my unit is an hour away from my house.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I think it is wrong to ask for PTO just because you don't like the shift. However- I would have a talk with management about scheduling. Having someone come in at 5am after they got off work at 11pm the night before is not safe, and may be violating labor regulations regarding minimum recovery time between shifts.
I agree that is wrong to ask for PTO just because you don't like the shift. But it seems strange that you would be scheduled to work at 5am after a shift ending at 11 pm. I would have discussed this with whoever does the schedule just as soon as it came out. UNLESS the evening shift is one that you traded into. Then you've just got to accept that you did it to yourself and you're stuck with it.
For the OP, why not just try the 5am shift? You may find that you actually like it. Getting up early enough to report for duty at that hour would be a killer in my book. But leaving earlier than usual would be something I could definitely get used to.
Were you aware of the rotating shifts prior to accepting the position? How many days off in a row after doubling back like that?
Libby1987
3,726 Posts
OP has been a nurse for less than a year, first job didn't work our and has been at least one of two jobs nos less than 6 mos. I think the shift conflicts are due to working two jobs.