Need advice. What is expected of a PRN nurse?

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I work in LTC. I'm an LPN and have been at the same facility for almost 4 years. I just recently went back to school for my RN. I did not spring this on my employer. I told management nearly a year before I started the process. When classes/clinicals started I gave up my full time position to work PRN. The scheduling manager and DON worked with me to schedule me every weekend which is what I wanted. At the beginning of this year they started scheduling me as a CNA on the floor. A few shifts here and there didn't bother me. Sometimes I never knew what I was working until I walked in the door on Saturday morning. After about two months I noticed I was working nearly every weekend as a CNA. Sometimes I would be scheduled a week in advance for CNA shifts. I went to my scheduling manager and asked her if we could stop this. I was told to take it up with the DON. Well I did. I went to the DON, the ADON and after nothing changed and I was still working as a CNA I went to my administrator, who promised it would stop. It didn't. I was never a CNA before I was a nurse so I'm not very good at it. I was even more exhausted when I got home after working 12 hour shifts back to back as an aid. After discovering from a coworker that I had 3 more upcoming shifts as a CNA I called my assistant administrator and ended up getting a text from my DON informing me I was expected to work the shifts. So in a fit of rage I quit. I love this company and I'm deeply saddened that this happened. This particular company has another location nearby. To which I found out I can't work for them ever again. Did I do the right thing? I feel like I went up the chain of management and no one cared to listen to my concerns. Had anyone else ever experienced anything like this?

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There was a point in your post where I came to the conclusion that you would end up needing to leave this job. No, you did not do the wrong thing. They would have continued to use you and probably laughed about your complaints behind your back. They were wrong not to take your concerns seriously, they did not have to change anything, just listen to you; they covered up their part in making you leave, by punishing you for standing up for yourself. Good that you showed self respect even though you will still suffer when looking for new work. Good luck.

BTW, employers treat employees, especially their good employees, this way all the time. They do it because they know that they can get away with it. Those who respect their good employees gain a lot more than avoiding ill will from individuals. They gain a reputation for knowing how to treat workers.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

The only thing "wrong" that I may see in this scenario is that it sounded like you quit without any notice, thus likely making you a "do not hire" which could impact your future employment, regardless of position, at this facility (as it seems like it already has) and future facilities.

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I do not want to hijack the thread, but out of curiosity,

is it legal for employers to have a nurse working as a CNA? I thought there would be a conflict with the scope of practice and with that the license could be in danger?

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To update my earlier scenario I contacted corporate office for my facility and found out that as long as my administrator was on board I could be allowed a transfer. I have a spotless record over my four years of working there with quitting being my only issue. I got in touch with my assistant administrator and told her the story. I was still not allowed to speak with the administrator who was the one who told me working as a CNA was unacceptable for nurses. Well in short it was the DON who called me and offered me my job back but said I would not be allowed to transfer. She told me to think it over and get back to her. So I did within 24 hours. I put one condition on my return: that I approve my shifts before I'm scheduled them. (Remember I'm PRN, this is standard policy for PRN employees) to which she replied "that's ok thanks anyways". I'm not sure what to make of any of this!

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I did! I know quitting without notice is completely unacceptable and I accepted full responsibility. However the DON was forcing me to come in and work as a CNA "or else". She told me she needed an answer so I replied with "ok I quit". Not trying to justify my actions but I felt somewhat cornered and that was my knee-jerk reaction.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Thanks for the updating (few posters ever come back with an update).

My feeling is that your DON just cut off all ties. And I think that Corporate prob gave her some heavy heat for such dirty dealings. And now she's really got her nose out of joint.

From a financial POV, it costs $$$ to use any licensed nurse in any lower level license capacity. In a pinch/emergency, yeah, it's acceptable. But to repeatedly do so, it is UNacceptable. And I'll bet your DON has been called on this in the past, either by the Admin or Corporate. She should be hiring more CNAs. Not inappropriately utilizing nurses (you were being paid LPN, not CNA?).

Since you seem to have the support of Corporate, try them again. But I don't know that I'd recommend that you return to your old facility. You will have a BIG target on your back with that DON aiming for you.

Sadly, you might have a fight ahead of you re Unemployment benefits. (And you may have lost any in-house accrued benefits.) That "not eligible for rehire - left without notice" mantra will likely follow you around. And nsg is a small world. There wouldn't be an opp'ty for you to pre-explain it to prospective employers and you would have to be careful NOT to badmouth a past employer if you ever got past a front door.

If nothing else, strive for a flat confirmation from your HR or Corporate that won't shoot you down.

Good luck.

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That's exactly what I'm afraid of... "the left without notice" following me around. I fear I have irreversibly tarnished my spotless career all by just trying to stand my ground and not be taken advantage of. I feel I'm a good nurse and I'm truly passionate about what I do! I have no desire to work for this facility ever again. I just don't want it to follow me. Thank you all for your advice!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Do you have any old performance evals that could bolster your qood work practice there?

You may just have to try and see if that 'mantra' (as I call it) might be following you as you try to interview. Maybe not if your HR doesn't push it. That's why I suggest going thru Corporate to get them to give you a neutral termination note.

Time to spiff up your resume. Good luck.

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Caliotter3 I loved your last paragraph.

"Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree"Marian Wright Edelman

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