I've had it.

Published

I am ready to crack. I accepted a position that was to be three 10 hour shifts. I was told that overtime was not allowed. I have an hour commute each way. My first day off orientation I was scheduled for a 14 hour shift. I have been working two 14 hour shifts and one 12 hour shift per week for months. I have NEVER once worked a 10 hour shift, and they do not exist in my facility. They have expanded the clinic and the shifts have been getting longer and longer and I am now working 16 hour shifts three days a week, sometimes back to back. That leaves me LESS than 4 hours to sleep and come back the next day with my commute. I have asked for relief over and over for months and they keep saying they are working on it. I scheduled a meeting with the regional manager to let her know I cannot keep doing this. I was scolded told that I am not a team player. Where the heck is the rest of this TEAM she speaks of? I need a new job. She is right, I am NOT A TEAM PLAYER. And when I end up dead in a ditch because I am too tired to drive, or I kill a patient because I am too tired to do meds properly, which member of the team will step up then? I don't want to play for this team anymore.

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That stinks. I hope you find a new job soon.

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Well put, I feel you have a very valid argument here. Who will take responsibility when you eventually make an error? I don't care how long a person has been a nurse, sleep deprivation will put you in those shoes. I'm not saying to drop it this second, but start looking elsewhere.

Being a team player? I love it when people mention this in an environment where one person does all of the work and is responsible solely for it. Team my butt.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

That team business is a two way street. They are not taking care of team members and throwing guilt at you. Call in sick, use that time to look for another position. Good luck!

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Do you have the contract that has your hours listed on it? Get a copy from HR if you can.

This is nuts.

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It is like they say that stuff about the set hours and no OT just to get the nurse hired, and then they feel as though they can work you anyway possible because you need the job. Hope it gets better for you:)

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I don't blame you a bit. I'd be out of there as well.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

There have been multiple studies done across a variety of fields that show human error increases exponentially once you've worked over 11 hours. Many industrial accidents happen when the staff or crew has consistently been working over 11 hours. Not safe for the patients, and really not safe for you. Hope you find another job soon!

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Specializes in Cardiovascular, ER.

Yep. They would see the back of my head getting smaller and smaller. Good luck finding another job. Make sure the next one gives you everything they promise in writing.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/SNF-LTC/Supervisory.

You sound like you've been very open, honest, and willing to work with them. Time to move on perhaps. We have to take care of ourselves, because very few ''bosses'' will. Keep the job, but start interviewing right away. Best of wishes to you. You deserve better!

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Specializes in ICU.

What kind of place is this?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I am ready to crack. I accepted a position that was to be three 10 hour shifts. I was told that overtime was not allowed. I have an hour commute each way. My first day off orientation I was scheduled for a 14 hour shift. I have been working two 14 hour shifts and one 12 hour shift per week for months. I have NEVER once worked a 10 hour shift, and they do not exist in my facility. They have expanded the clinic and the shifts have been getting longer and longer and I am now working 16 hour shifts three days a week, sometimes back to back. That leaves me LESS than 4 hours to sleep and come back the next day with my commute. I have asked for relief over and over for months and they keep saying they are working on it. I scheduled a meeting with the regional manager to let her know I cannot keep doing this. I was scolded told that I am not a team player. Where the heck is the rest of this TEAM she speaks of? I need a new job. She is right, I am NOT A TEAM PLAYER. And when I end up dead in a ditch because I am too tired to drive, or I kill a patient because I am too tired to do meds properly, which member of the team will step up then? I don't want to play for this team anymore.

First they must pay you OT for over 40 hours. Second, unless you specifically signed a contract they can pretty much do what they want. Now, there are in some states laws on the books about mandating nurses to stay and mandatory OT for healthcare personnel but you would also need proof of your hours of hire were 30 hours per week and that the rest have been mandated.

http://www.epi.org/publication/briefingpapers_bp120

http://www.overtime-flsa.com/mandatory-overtime-for-nurses-other-healthcare-professionals

http://www.rnworkproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Mandatory-ovettime-article.pdf

I had great article by the ANA and linked it here......they've removed the link :devil: now you have to pay for it. I have had this happen before when I've posted a link and after a ton of hits.....it's either pulled or now you have to pay....Oh well..:cool:

Have the meeting with the regional manager and plead your case but I am not so sure I would work at a place that bullied it's employees into working.....but I know jobs are really hard to find these days. Check with your state's labor office they will probably to help you there...good luck

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