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.

[heartnurse2be]

I would definitely inquire about this, if you were told you wouldn't get called off then you shouldn't get called off. However I do know once on our floor a couple of new grads were put off for a week of two because we lost several nurses at once and there weren't as many people there that they considered qualified to precept, however they were given the option to work as techs (getting their 'RN' pay though) to get experience on the floor. There orientation was extended - could lack of experienced staff be a problem in your case? Maybe since they're getting called off there aren't enough to go around? Just a maybe....

[Eirene, ASN, RN]

Oh yes, the dreaded 'on-call.'

I've recently accepted a job with the state. The reason? NO ON-CALL. Last payperiod I worked 36/72 hours. I couldn't even make my morgage payment with that. It's been this way for several months.

I love my job- I just cannot do it anymore due to pure economics.