last minute staffing call

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Hi wonderful nurses!!

I have an issue with that too I am a newly graduate and I got hired to a facility where I did my consolidation.They usually call me last minute for the shift .one time they call me 7 am for a 7 am shift ������ I said yes to thats shift but I got there around 8 and the nurses was upset because I got there late I explained that they just called me late and one of them actually said that if you know ur on call you should always get up early and get ready and wear my uniform just in case they call me and I'm like what? I'm gonna sit around with my uniform on? (They can call me for evening or night shift too).anyway my shift was chaotic they throw me there trying to start my medications to the patients I haven't met (they don't call that often so when I come there theres new patients)it was so chaotic and I feel so stressed out and had me thinking is nursing really what I want? Because I wasn't happy .Im losing my confidence as nurse.on top of that they sometimes call me to the unit I wasn't trained for (I worked in palliative) when I say no I feel so guilty and had me thinking the whole day about the money I could've earned. As u know looking for a job is not easy to new grads . But I don't want to go there last minute not knowing what to do and risk both of my patients' safety and my own license. They call me so little and always last minute so Im guilty for not accepting it please help!!btw they have a lot of part timer too so I'm casual basically the bottom of the list ������������������ fellow nurses please help!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Showing up after the shift begins - due to a late notification - will NOT jeopardize your license. The only things that will do that are your own decisions.

In this case, I would suggest your look at the relevant policies and requirements of your job. What is the required response time when you are notified? My guess? If you are clocking in only an hour after you were notified, it's all good. As a new grad - coping with a PRN job...you're already ahead of the game & that's WONDERFUL!!! You're doing great! Give yourself some credit.

Next time someone gets cranky with you because you're late.... take a moment to acknowledge their feelings - "Hey, I'm sorry that you had to pick up the slack but I didn't get a call until 7 AM. Can you fill me in with what you need to offload first?"

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Don't feel bad.

HouTx is right! You are doing great.

If anything apply for part-time positions within that facility or another facility.

Perhaps having a stable set of hours/schedule will be better for you but until then keep your PRN position

if you are able to manage.

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Most places that do call have a designated turn around time - meaning you have 30, 60, 90 minutes or whatever to get there after you're called. Your coworkers are, frankly, ridiculous, as is your facility if they don't have a policy like this.

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Your coworkers should be glad you show up at all. I know I would be happy to have another person show up, an hour later or not.

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Specializes in Pediatric.

To OP: having coworkers who expect you to be up and dressed for a potential shift that *may or may not yet exist* is pure lunacy.

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