should not be a nurse if you can only work mon to fri days?

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so my availibility is mon to fri days due to i ask daycare hours.

and i just stated a new job and toke a casual position due to my limited availibility.

my employer called me and asked if i can work tommorw because somone is sick, i said yes. then she said the person you are filling in for works the next night, can you work nights?

me: no im sorry, im not able to , and its not in my availibility

employer: (curtly) may i ask why?

me: yes, i have daycare issued, my daycare is not open nights, and i dont know anyone in town to help me.

emplo: well are you trying?

me: yes, if you can find somone for the night shift, ill work that day if needed.

emplyo: well , the people here dont "Beliieve in NUrses working mon to fri days!"

me; well ok this is my availbitiyl wich i gave when i got hired. (politly) call me if you need me.

can she ask me why im not availible???? i should have said NO you may not!!!!! and 2nd. dont speak for all people when its you that thinks this. 3rd- nurses are people too, people who have daycare, and possibly

limiited availibility, was she implying because you are a nurse you should

not be a nurse if you can t work shift work or weekends? i love my job

am i looking to much into this nasty comment?

ok thanks for the vent

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I don't think you're reading anything into it. She expects her per diem people to be available for evening, nights, and weekends.

Is it fair? I don't think it matters. She can easily fill weekday daytime slots.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Since you are a casual employee, you can dictate when you are available and really, it isn't any of their business.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

Please don't take it personally. If you are only available certain hours and they hired you for those hours then don't think anything about it. there are so many shifts and so many schedules available to us as nurses that ,although it may take some time to find it...there is a job out there for everyone!

on the other hand though...you will find some resistance and negativity no matter where you go, especially if you work a schedule that someone else thinks might be better than theirs. instead of looking for a job for themselves with that schedule, they prefer to stay where they are and complain about those that have something different. happens no matter where you work.

just dont take it personally.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Although I think you're reading into the comment too much, nursing is a 24-hour job. Unfortunately, people don't just become sick during the desirable working hours of 9am to 5pm, which is why your employer probably became annoyed at your limited availability.

I wouldn't allow this comment to rent too much space within my head. Good luck!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Perhaps she just wanted to note your availability on the master list so she and others wouldn't waste their time or bother you unnecessarily by calling for shifts you can't work.

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Specializes in MICU/SICU.

Isn't working when/if you can the definition of "casual"?

I'd blow it off.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Nursing Administration for SNF.

"The people here dont believe in nurses working M-F days"???? At that point I might have questioned exactly who "the people" were. Sounds like "the people" were on the phone harrassing other people about the CHOICES that they made to work per diem.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

You might not have been talking to your manager on the phone. Our staffing clerks have been known to be very pushy and rude on the phone and to have called the same person three times in the space of a couple of hours... "just to see if you changed your mind". One clerk in particular is really awful. I work a 0.7 FTE for personal reasons and I DO NOT pick up extra hours, no matter what. I have a rotation for a reason and my life is arranged around those hours. She called me one day to offer me an OT shift and was astounded when I said no. She said, "But you have three days off. You could do an OT night shift no problem. And it's double time! Think of what you could do with that extra $600!!" Her tone of voice was just dripping with scorn. I work my nights and I work my weekends and it's not my fault the unit isn't properly staffed. It's also not my responsibility to fix it.

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Its just like the nurses who never work OT when asked but get ticked off when you rake it all in. The beauty of nursing is in its variety,flexibilty,and CHOICES. Ignore her if you can.

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Specializes in MHSA.

I think it was rude to intrude on your reasoning. I am conflicted often with childcare issues as my sitter recently had to stop coming out due to medical reasons. So I left my FT position and am now doing per diem for my previous FT employer and 2 others as I can manage the time. I love nursing but I cannot leave my toddler on auto care or in the care of strangers. I get similar remarks as well so I remind them why I am not working a FT position during this time.

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I can understand that your employer was hoping that you could help pick up shifts, but after you said no thank you (and politely at that) AND told her why (not that it was her business; besided I think childcare issues are one of the MOST legitimate reasons not to work!)...

Anytime someone is asked to pick up a shift that is not part of their schedule, I think the employer should be grateful when they can. I have been very lucky to have been offered many extra shifts at my job; especially when they know I need the hours..and even when I need them, sometimes I can't take them; but my higher-ups have never once made me feel guilty for not taking a shift, for which I am grateful :)

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