Need advice on a schedule conflict

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Oct 4, 2017

Juggling 2 jobs is difficult.

NEVER ask for time off from your full time position, to deal with another position. Could you really expect your manager to accommodate that request?

Anyone associated with your FT job ( even BFF's there) must remain clueless about your other position. Could be seen as a conflict of interest.

I would call in for that day of training.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · Oct 4, 2017

If it's just the one day that conflicts, and after the 2 weeks are up you should be able to easily work around your first job, I agree, just call in sick for the one day.

JKL33 · Oct 4, 2017

Knowing there are problems/it's not perfect, allow me to present some ideas r/t the honesty option:

- The fact that you have already switched all the other surrounding days is information clearly available to your manager and will likely not go unnoticed when your "weekend call-in" occurs. I just want to put that out there because it's pretty likely that a sick call will be assumed to be the lie that it is.

- If you are working with a general PTO bank, there is no reason to report that you are "sick" when you aren't; why add insult to injury, so-to-speak?

- You could talk to your manager (if s/he is such a type of person) and say that you've become aware of a date that you absolutely cannot work due to a personal/family-related obligation, and offer a them to work one of your days off that would be beneficial to them. Say that you hate to give short notice and put the department in a bind. If they insist that you must work or call in with only two hours' notice...that's on them. You are allowed to "call in sick," and the fact that you actually have notice is a benefit they can accept, or they can cut off their nose to spite their face. But if they choose the latter option at least your sense of integrity is preserved.

- Have you in fact asked the PD employer if there is any other way to complete the orienation work that is planned for the Friday in question?

I realize these are pie-in-the-sky utopia thoughts, put I'll put them out here anyway.

NurseLove01 · Oct 4, 2017

Knowing there are problems/it's not perfect, allow me to present some ideas r/t the honesty option:
- The fact that you have already switched all the other surrounding days is information clearly available to your manager and will likely not go unnoticed when your "weekend call-in" occurs. I just want to put that out there because it's pretty likely that a sick call will be assumed to be the lie that it is.
- If you are working with a general PTO bank, there is no reason to report that you are "sick" when you aren't; why add insult to injury, so-to-speak?
- You could talk to your manager (if s/he is such a type of person) and say that you've become aware of a date that you absolutely cannot work due to a personal/family-related obligation, and offer a them to work one of your days off that would be beneficial to them. Say that you hate to give short notice and put the department in a bind. If they insist that you must work or call in with only two hours' notice...that's on them. You are allowed to "call in sick," and the fact that you actually have notice is a benefit they can accept, or they can cut off their nose to spite their face. But if they choose the latter option at least your sense of integrity is preserved.
- Have you in fact asked the PD employer if there is any other way to complete the orienation work that is planned for the Friday in question?
I realize these are pie-in-the-sky utopia thoughts, put I'll put them out here anyway.

Thank you so much for your responses. I had already spoke to HR at the per diem position and they were really clear that I need to attend the two week dates, otherwise I would forfeit my position. They said they won't be able to accommodate me, as the two weeks were preplanned a year ago. No one at my full time job knows about my per diem position at the moment, so I'm safe there.

I'm just afraid if I tell my manager about a personal/family obligation ahead of time, she might be more likely to refuse me, as lately there have been lack of nurses on the floor. In turn, if I do get rejected, and I end up calling in sick for that one day, it might raise suspicion? Wouldn't they want to have a doctor's note if that's the case?

We don't really have a PTO bank at my full time job, it's really just if you want to use your vacation/holiday hours, or your sick hours for calling in sick.

BeckyESRN · Oct 4, 2017

We don't really have a PTO bank at my full time job, it's really just if you want to use your vacation/holiday hours, or your sick hours for calling in sick.

Sick or not, those hours are your's to use as you see fit. You're entitled to that time, so use it. The world will not end if you call off. The hospital I worked for never asked for a detailed reason for a call off, they only asked if it was FMLA related or not.

NurseLove01 · Oct 4, 2017

Sick or not, those hours are your's to use as you see fit. You're entitled to that time, so use it. The world will not end if you call off. The hospital I worked for never asked for a detailed reason for a call off, they only asked if it was FMLA related or not.

That's true, thank you all for clearing my anxiety about this.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Oct 4, 2017

I once had an employee call off on her cell phone, and I could hear the lecturing from the orientation that she was attending in the background.

Sour Lemon · Oct 4, 2017

I would also call in "sick". At the jobs I've had, PTO requests had to be cleared in advance of a schedule being made- not two hours before the start of a shift.

I might feel a little guilty calling in, but not much. I now my employer wouldn't hesitate to cancel me if they decided they didn't need me that day, so I don't feel the need to be a "hero".

Orion81RN · Oct 5, 2017

Knowing there are problems/it's not perfect, allow me to present some ideas r/t the honesty option:
- The fact that you have already switched all the other surrounding days is information clearly available to your manager and will likely not go unnoticed when your "weekend call-in" occurs. I just want to put that out there because it's pretty likely that a sick call will be assumed to be the lie that it is.
- If you are working with a general PTO bank, there is no reason to report that you are "sick" when you aren't; why add insult to injury, so-to-speak?
- You could talk to your manager (if s/he is such a type of person) and say that you've become aware of a date that you absolutely cannot work due to a personal/family-related obligation, and offer a them to work one of your days off that would be beneficial to them. Say that you hate to give short notice and put the department in a bind. If they insist that you must work or call in with only two hours' notice...that's on them. You are allowed to "call in sick," and the fact that you actually have notice is a benefit they can accept, or they can cut off their nose to spite their face. But if they choose the latter option at least your sense of integrity is preserved.
- Have you in fact asked the PD employer if there is any other way to complete the orienation work that is planned for the Friday in question?
I realize these are pie-in-the-sky utopia thoughts, put I'll put them out here anyway.

In regards to your concerns with honesty, I agree with pp. Tell them you have a personal obligation. I recall my previous DON telling the CNA's that if she catches them calling in sick for another job that they would be fired. I don't think most jobs would take too kindly to calling in for another employer.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2017

I'd call out. Don't say you're sick, just call and say "I'm calling out for my shift."

I have called out for a shift I requested off before. My feeling was that I told you when you were making the schedule that I was unavailable to work that day and you put me on anyway so now you can deal with it at the last minute. If you're not in violation of the attendance policy, if it raises suspicion, oh well.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2017

Thank you so much for your responses. I had already spoke to HR at the per diem position and they were really clear that I need to attend the two week dates, otherwise I would forfeit my position. They said they won't be able to accommodate me, as the two weeks were preplanned a year ago. No one at my full time job knows about my per diem position at the moment, so I'm safe there.
I'm just afraid if I tell my manager about a personal/family obligation ahead of time, she might be more likely to refuse me, as lately there have been lack of nurses on the floor. In turn, if I do get rejected, and I end up calling in sick for that one day, it might raise suspicion? Wouldn't they want to have a doctor's note if that's the case?
We don't really have a PTO bank at my full time job, it's really just if you want to use your vacation/holiday hours, or your sick hours for calling in sick.

Naturally, HR will tell you you can't vary the Orientation at all. However, HR will likely not be doing the whole Orientation. Some will be done by Nursing, some by other departments.

I think it could be possible to rearrange the O somewhat if you do have to miss that Friday.

Or, just call off for a personal situation or sick or whatever at your full-time job.

It's actually amazing to me that you were able to switch all but 1 of your shifts!