Need help to figure out the position issue

Nurses Union

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Hi, I am a nurse, seeking advice. I was hired to my first hospital job for 15/hr per week, and I was always called in extra, so basically I was working full time. I am now 3 years working here and the good times are over, now I only work 15/hr per week, which is not enough to support me so I applied to a different job 24/hr per week in the same hospital/ but wasn't released yet because no-one wants my 15/hr a week position. In order to fill it, they requested that another day be added to the position---so now I don't want to leave it and I want to keep the job with more hours. The delegate in my hospital is not informative so I am seeking advice, what should I do in order for me to keep my current position? Who do I write to, its not fair that I'm already here for 3 years and someone else will get my job with more hours. This is 1199 union.

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I would go back to HR. Have they actually posted the position for 23/24 hours, or is it just something they are thinking about to fill the position?

If so, I would say that you want to stay where you are if it is a 24 hour position, and you can make that work. BUT make sure that they have posted it as such, or you may find that you are stuck still in your 15 hour position, and a vauge reason why they will not increase the hours.

Look at your contract language. Your seniority will have a lot to do with things. You may find that someone does want your old position, however, is asking for an hours increase--and if they have more seniority than you, that could work to their advantage.

IF that is the case, then perhaps they are in a 40 hour position, looking to cut back--and then you could take a 40 hour position....

Going forward, go to your manager, tell them that you are enjoying being part of the unit, that you could increase your hours, and is that feasible? If there is someone looking to go part time with the increase in hours, that you could perhaps take their full time position.

It is all about jockeying for position--and your union delegate wouldn't probably get involved until such time as you are denied a transfer without just cause.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Yes, I would definitely talk to my nurse manager and even HR. Tell them you can't survive on 15 hrs/wk, you want to stay in that hospital, can they help you make it work. Usually face-to-face interactions yield more results than the typical on-line bureaucracy. Good luck.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Suggest to them that it is cost effective for them to simply increase your hours rather than to train another nurse.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

In my experience just adding hours to a position is enough for it to be considered a "new" position, and often according to union rules that would be the "new" position has to posted as such and if you're the most senior person to apply for it then it's yours. I know it's frustrating since it seems like it's just your old position plus some added hours. Even if HR was fine with just giving you the position they often can't do that under union rules.

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