My family is getting tired...

[BookwormRN]

Hi Everyone,

Just had to go someplace neutral to let out my frustrations. I work Med/surg in a small hospital. We are currently understaffed-are actively seeking to hire 2 RNs. When I was hired, I was told that I am "on the low end of hours for Reg. Part-time." (we have full time (72-80) ; Reg part time ( 40-72 hours in two weeks) and temp part time (0-40 hours in two weeks).)

I had been working 3 evenings a week and was quite happy with that, as were DH and the kids. Well, now that we are understaffed, I've been scheduled 4 evenings a week. It is really getting to DH and especially my kids. If they have school, I only see them in the morning for an hour and am gone when they get home. I broke down one day at work and told my manager about how this was affecting us. She was very sympathetic and told me that they were actively trying to hire RNs.

Well, the new schedule is out and guess what? For the first 4 weeks, I am again on 4 shifts per week. UGH!!! I guess the ol' assertive BookwormRN is going to come crawling off the library shelf.....My family is so much more important than this job.

However, I know that when I say something officially, the manager will say, "Well, you signed a contract stating that you are 40-72 hours in a payperiod." But she sure as heck stressed that I'd only be on the low end of that when she talked to me.

What would you do? Sorry to sound cranky, but geez.....

Thanks for listening.

[Dempather, RN]

Did you sign a contract saying that you'd stick around for a year? If so, how much of the year is left? They need nurses everywhere... is there a reason why you have a particular loyalty to that hospital.. or even that floor! Certainly there are other floors you can transfer to that have more suitable hours. Family comes first.

[BookwormRN]

Did you sign a contract saying that you'd stick around for a year? If so, how much of the year is left? They need nurses everywhere... is there a reason why you have a particular loyalty to that hospital.. or even that floor! Certainly there are other floors you can transfer to that have more suitable hours. Family comes first.

My year will be up in a couple of weeks, but no, I didn't sign a year contract. I did apply at another institution and was offered a position; however, it would mean driving an hour one way. At my current position, I live about 2 miles from work.

PLUS, our institution pays much better (by dollars an hour) than the ones I'd have to drive 1 hour to get to.

As for transferring to another floor, my only options are ICU (rotating day/night 12 hour shifts...NO THANKS!) ED-same as ICU and OB-not cut out for the baby delivery thing.

Thanks for the reply....I guess I should just be thankful that I have a well paying job with more hours than I want. So many other individuals right now would be happy to have what I do.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

A doctor once told me "you aren't the answer to their staffing problems". So don't let them abuse you.

You have them over a barrel so to speak - they are hurting for nurses. Just go in and kindly state what it is that you want. Otherwise, give notice.

Don't let anyone take advantage of your good nature. Family comes first.

(Been there . . . ):icon_roll

Good luck.

steph

[twarlik]

As someone who is responsible for putting together my unit's schedule, I can certainly sympathize with the position your manager is in. I know at my hospital, it is quite a lengthy process even getting new positions posted, not to mention actually finding someone to hire.

If you signed a contract saying you were available to work up to 72 hours in a pay period, then your manager should be allowed to schedule you for those hours. However, there needs to be some middle ground here since you're obviously unhappy and thinking of leaving. You should talk with your manager and try to come to an agreement. Lay it on the table and let her know your thoughts. Any smart manager will try to make a good employee happy. Perhaps you could work 3 days one week, and 4 the next.

Good luck. I hope everything works out for you.

Todd

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

Can you opt to go casual pool or per diem? Then you could pick your own hours. Only problem with that is you're 1st to get called off if they don't need you.

[RhodyGirl, RN]

Stand up for yourself. Your kids are young once.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

Just as twarlik suggested, I was going to say why not ask your mgr if you can do 3 shifts one week and four the next until some new hires come on board?

[BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN]

Unfortunately you are locked into those sliding hours,but like everyone else said, see if they will work with you. Where I work, we are contracted for hours per week, not days per week and sometimes that just sucks!