New Grad Shifts Cancelled While in Orientation

[strengthcouragewisdm]

I am a fairly new graduate RN (7 months experience), and I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I began working at a hospital in New Orleans recently, and am still in orientation. My shifts have been cancelled, due to low census and budget costs. Yes, other employees on the unit such as unit clerks, orientees and staff nurses have also been sent home early or have had their shifts cancelled. I was under the impression that while I worked and am labeled an orientee, I don't count in the general budget of staff on the unit, and therefore would not be cancelled. I am now seeking another RN position at other hospitals as this seems to be a bad sign early on.

[libbyjeanne]

At my hospital, I have been call off a couple times due to low cencus. My orientation was extended due to this. Sometimes hospitals go through a low cencus period...it doesn't mean that they are a "bad" place to work for.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i think it is your decision to leave or stay... my hospital would not allow externs or orientees to get low census due to not being counted on the census in the first place. however, as the above poster pointed out, it must not be the policy of all facilities. if i were you i would not leave a facility for this reason because once you are off of orientation you will get low census at some point anywhere.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

As an orientee, I did not get cancelled while other staff did.

[strengthcouragewisdm]

I guess I should mention that ALL of my shifts were cancelled in a 2 week period. I was told that the census would be projected low until July. I was also told that as an orientee, my shifts would not be cancelled, but that information was not accurate.

[Kathyz]

They don't call off new grad orientees or their preceptors during orientation. Now that it's over I want to be put on the "call off" list but my manager told me to wait a little while longer.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

i guess i should mention that all of my shifts were cancelled in a 2 week period. i was told that the census would be projected low until july. i was also told that as an orientee, my shifts would not be cancelled, but that information was not accurate.

that sounds bad... however i know of one cna who has only worked one day this week due to low census on my floor. some nurses only worked 1- or 2 days as well. thus, i think you are taking a big chance going somewhere else. maybe try getting a second non-nursing job or if you choose to leave be sure that they do not have the same problem. i think you will find that a lot of places are suffering this summer. once the winter hits census will be back up everywhere ....

[strengthcouragewisdm]

Hey MBARN08 I sent you a pm.

[southernbelle08]

During orientation, I did get my 3 shifts per week like I signed up for. I wasn't allowed any OT in orientation, but that was it. Once I was out, well, when low census happens and it is your turn, it is just your turn, lol.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would investigate thoroughly and talk with your educator/manager before making any big decisions. They may not want to cancel and orientee during low census, but HAVE to because of not having available preceptors when they send experienced staff home. Also, low census means "low income" for the hospital and they may be struggling so much that they can't afford to keep paying the orientees.

With jobs being so scarce right now ... I would hesitate to resign from a job unless I was very confident that it was a bad place to work (not just a few suspicions) and not until I had another job already guaranteed.

Unusual circumstances can force people (and hospitals) to do things they wouldn't normally do.

[strengthcouragewisdm]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I have researched this matter not only with my unit manager, but nursing administration, and staffing as well. All seem pretty tight lipped about the cancelling of orientee shifts. I have been told that this may still be a problem for business through early to mid July. I have also been told orientees usually aren't cancelled.

As of today, I haven't resigned, and am actively seeking another position. Being cancelled a shift or two is one thing, but for an entire 2 week period is another. I can't afford not to work. I will make every attempt to hold on to the job but not at the cost of my income suffering. I am waiting for a message from my manager in regards to next weeks schedule. I will remain hopeful that I will actually work 72 hours.

[Mommy_of_3_in_AL..RN]

During orientation, never got called off. Been off orientation about 5 weeks, and still no call offs...actually, i am getting one or two extra shifts a pay period. Our unit exerienced a staffing setback when three left at once, one had unexpected surgery, and another is never there due to medical reasons. So, w are all pulling extra shifts. If someone needs to get called off, it is usually on that has an extra day that week. But, usually, someone inevitably calls in, so no cancels. However, if census gets low enough to have to cancel someone, you can bet your paycheck we will have a full unit the next day!