No Call/No Show

[jude11142]

I am so mad!!!!

Here's what happened....On Sunday at 3:15pm the phone rang and my daughter answered it and it was the day supervisor. She asked, "Where is your mom? She is supposed to be here." I was not at home as I was out preparing for my daughters graduation party(that was planned for over a month). So, my daughter told them that she was certain that I was not on because of the party and because my schedule was on my desk and it didn't say that I was on. Anyways, she hung up still convinced that I was supposed to work 3-11.

Fast forward to Monday at 3pm.....I walk into work and atleast 6 people that I work with are saying things like, "uh oh, where were you yesterday?"....."so you were a no call, no show"...."oh boy, so and so was mad at you because she had to work"...etc....

Then the weekday supervisor calls me in the office and asked me "what happened".....I explained to her that there was no way that I was scheduled to work that day(I work baylor shift and this would of been an extra shift). I do work extra shifts quite often and am scheduled to work this friday and this sunday 3-11 both extra shifts........they are typed in on my printed schedule.....the sunday in question was not.

We get our schedules printed out for the month. Then there is one that is posted in our break room. During the month if they know that they need coverage for certain shifts it is then sometimes penned in on that schedule. Not alway though,so you can't go by that. It is up to the individual to be responsible for knowing when you are picking up extra shifts. Basically, it's my word against the secretary who does the scheduling. I am mad because lastnight, my supervisor(for my regular shifts)handed me a warning slip for me to sign! I glanced at it and saw it say, No call, no show...and I let my anger get the best of me and handed it back to her and said that I wasn't going to sign it.....I didn't read the rest of it, but I'm sure there wasn't anything that supports my claim of not being scheduled. I do know that even though I didn't sign it, it still goes in my work record. I just don't feel that it's fair. I have never ever not showed up for a shift, I do not call out, I am always picking up shifts when they are short etc...........

I want to talk to the DON and I did leave her a brief note asking to talk to her, plus, I suggested that in the future why don't they make out slips that we can sign verifying that we agreed to work the extra shift. I feel that it would help clarify this as it's not the first time this has happened. It the first time for me but others have had this happen to them.

What would you do? Am I making a big deal out of this?

Thanks for letting me vent!

JUDE

[Rena RN 2003, RN]

we have a slip, in triplicate, that is signed if we pick up an extra shift or trade shifts with someone or put in for PTO/vacation. every person involved signs it. one copy goes to the person taking the shift, one to the one picking up the shift (if applicable), and one to the secretary to schedule. i wouldn't have it any other way for the very reasons you just described. and i would not have signed that write up either. make them prove that you were scheduled because if they can't prove it then there wasn't a problem to begin with.

[trixie]

I wouldn't have signed that slip either. I would also write up what happened and have it put in my permanent record.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

That's too bad. Our baylor people work every weekend. Curious as to why Sunday is a extra shift for you. What plan are you on.

You could have signed "signature signifies receipt not agreement" or something like that so it goes on record that you disagree rather than refused.

What's irritating is how quick they were to write up a warning rather than the off-hand chance that you might be telling the truth and giving you the benefit of the doubt. A more effective way of dealing with it would have been to offer you an apology for a possible mistake, but if a pattern develops you're in trouble.

[powmol]

I totally agree with you!!! I would be furious. I would write a statement to be added to the warning, and ask that it be put in your file also!! I would also think again before helping out your facility with overtime!

[jeannet83]

I guess that is the thing that blows my mind is that you always work extra shifts for them and now they don't give you the benefit of the doubt especially since this is the first time that this has happened to you.

I have to admit that unless a new system was instituted such as the one described above using a triplicate system were everyone gets a copy when you sign up for an extra shift, I would be tempted to sign on with an agency or per diem with another institution to do my extra shifts. I would definitely talk to the DON to voice my displeasure over the situation. I would also let her be aware that you don't want anymore warnings in your file and thus may feel a need to pick up extra shifts elsewhere.

Good luck and keep us posted! Jeanne

[nimbex, RN]

Our write ups has a "I disagree" slot to check, then you write why, it is automatically then forwarded to the next chain of command.

I would call HR, their purpose is to help mediate through situations like this, as well as insure your record as an employee is correct.

let us know

[Bevi]

Trixie, you gave a great suggestion......

[mattsmom81]

This is so aggravating...and more so to think someone is playing games with nurses' reputations like this. But I know it happens.

For the supervisor to immediately become punitive shows she is on a power trip...I would go to my director about it too. Sorry this happened to you...I know it hurts even more when we are conscientious.

[oramar]

Sounds like a slip shod system that is going to cause more problems if they don't do something concrete to improve it. I agree that not signing was a good idea. Why plead quilty if you are not. I never worked anywhere in my life where the nurse was responsible for calling up and asking if anything had changed on the schedule. That was always the nursing office or the nursing managers job to notify. Plus they had to have documentation you were notified.

[MandyInMS]

We have this problem quite a bit too..main reason=too many diff people doing the scheduling..this one forgets to add someone for a shift, next time diff person forgets that so n so has been cancelled..BIG OLE MESS...we never assume somebody didn't call/or show..our first thought is somebody messed up the book AGAIN......and I don't blame ya..wouldn't sign that form either.

[roxannekkb]

Isn't that something, that the secretary's word counts more than the nurse's. Par for the course, and then they wonder why there is a nursing shortage.