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.

Document... document..document. Each and every time you express that you cannot physically be expected to do this. It might CYA. Time to lawyer up.

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I'm shocked that you are putting yourself at risk like this. Quit this job and report the abuse immediately to your nursing association in your area. In my opinion This is actionable misuse of staff. And, it puts your patients in harms way if you are not performing at optimum. Why are you doing this? Hourly, you would be making the same amount of money if you worked in a regular 8 hour non-nuring job. Try a clinic or doctors office with regular hours. We teach people how to treat us...and, you are teaching this employer that you don't have an 'off' switch. Take action and do your best elsewhere.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

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.

Before quitting, check state labor laws.

Some states do allow healthcare workers to earn OT only after 40 hours, so you may be stuck on that point

Your state may require a minimum 8 hour break to rest between shifts.

Good luck in making your escape

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I'm shocked that you are putting yourself at risk like this. Quit this job and report the abuse immediately to your nursing association in your area. In my opinion This is actionable misuse of staff. And, it puts your patients in harms way if you are not performing at optimum. Why are you doing this? Hourly, you would be making the same amount of money if you worked in a regular 8 hour non-nuring job. Try a clinic or doctors office with regular hours. We teach people how to treat us...and, you are teaching this employer that you don't have an 'off' switch. Take action and do your best elsewhere.

I know it sounds ridiculous, believe me, it feels ridiculous that this is my life. I have a mortgage to pay. I can't afford to just walk away and in this area nursing jobs are hard to come by. Dr's offices want years of experience. Hospitals want years of experience. I am sending out zillions of applications, I have literally spent the last 2 full days off sending out apps. Working in a non nursing position will only make it harder to find a new nursing position, no? I am looking for a new job and I can't wait until the day I can say I QUIT. I sincerely hope my manager is forced to fill in for the 16 hour shifts.

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They would see the back of my head getting smaller and smaller.

:up: I like the way you worded this.

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I know it sounds ridiculous, believe me, it feels ridiculous that this is my life. I have a mortgage to pay. I can't afford to just walk away and in this area nursing jobs are hard to come by. Dr's offices want years of experience. Hospitals want years of experience. I am sending out zillions of applications, I have literally spent the last 2 full days off sending out apps. Working in a non nursing position will only make it harder to find a new nursing position, no? I am looking for a new job and I can't wait until the day I can say I QUIT. I sincerely hope my manager is forced to fill in for the 16 hour shifts.

There are worse things then losing your house, like losing your life in a flipped over car on the side of the road.

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Specializes in Periop, ER.

how many years of experience do you have? could you consider taking a travel assignment in med/surg just to get outta there quickly?

BTW, I am a nurse manager and although I wouldn't treat my staff like this, I can tell you that most human resources policies state that the shift hours ( 8, 10, etc) and start times can be changed to meet the needs of the unit/patients. This basically means that there is no guarantee even if you had it in writing that you would work a 10 hr shift and or set days.

Good luck- I sure hope it gets better. That is a dangerous scenario that you are putting yourself and your patients in. Maybe you need to call in sick when you have worked that many hours.

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Specializes in cardiac.

Perhaps one of the agencies that govern your type of facility might be useful.

https://www.cms.gov/GuidanceforLawsandRegulations/05_Dialysis.asp

Remember any place that accepts payment from medicare has to be licensed and have to follow certain rules. It's worth a call.

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