Ok..vent..advise...dunno

Nurses General Nursing

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I don't usually do this..and in fact I'm afraid to vent much because I never know who's reading it.

I need advise I guess, or vent...

OUr facility has recently gone to 12 hour shifts, I have stated I cannot work nights and been told that they would try not to put me on... I mean I dont mind doing one or two a month..but I can't do much more then that, especially when I'm doing 8 hour shifts as well day time...

I was told I would be doing day shift and the evening 8 hour shift this month. I picked up my schedule this month and found I'm doing *all* three! within days of each other...two eights...a day off...two nights...two days off...then a day shift...a day off, two more nights...two days off...an 8, two days, a day off...a night shift...and so on..I'm dizzy thinking about it.

Am I crazy and whiney or am I in rights to say WTH? :eek: I'm just so done...I don't even want to give a two weeks...one week maybe...if that...

Advise o learned ones?

Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Most rosters are flexible. Ask someone at your own skill level if they will trade with u then see the NUM. Or see the NUM anyway, and try to negotiate something.

It doesn't look too bad - you get days off inbetween.

What about saying you can do the 2 nights, but have 3 days off inbetween or something like that?

I remember doing something like 7 late/earlies in a row, I was so tired that I didn't even cook something to eat, I think I had raw veggies from the fridge & toast! I can't do those change of shifts too much now, it makes me too tired to drive & it's dangerous for me on the road. It stuffs me around too much, and I get sick as well so I can't work.

I'd see the NUM in charge of rosters and have a chat to them, I reckon.

I think the majority of whether this is "OK" or not from your boss is this: When you got hired originally (they did this with me, granted not a nurse but a EMT ER Tech, dont know if this is common practice) what did you apply for, what were you told during your final interview and what did your boss agree on?

The reason I ask you is this, I have heard people were I have worked in the past and now that are upset when a schedule comes out they get very upset, but then they tell me that the boss DID tell them that they were being hired to cover BOTH areas or nights for that matter. But if you were told you would be working DAYS only then I think you need to talk to your boss, RESPECTFULLY of course since ANY job is a blessing these days. Maybe it will jog his/her memory over what she told you to begin with, or maybe you have a offer letter that has that on there, you can show him/her that.

Good luck to you, that schedule looks like a hard one. Hang in there and let us know how it goes!!

... I just get told we're short staffed and if I don't like the schedule to look for another job...

That'll surely cure the staffing problem, one more nurse down. Ugh, I'd be downright fed up and hitting the employment section of the paper. Grateful I work in such a great facility.

Specializes in LTC.

I guess one question is, if I refuse to do it or quit without notice is that abandonment?

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

I used to work straight nights for 2 years, then asked for a day shift. I found that I was getting sick more often, I wasn't myself, I was run down and tired all the time, and desperately needed a change of shift. My NM told me that as soon as they hired another nurse to work the night shift, I would be put on days.

She hired another night nurse, and then decided to split our shifts. I was working 2 nights and two days in the same week. I told her that I didn't agree to that shift, and that it was making me physically sick. She told me that I would just have to do it until the night shift nurse felt confident enough to work nights without the resources she had on days. OK. I understood that logic. As long as I could see light at the end of the tunnel, I figured I could stick it out.

But after a year of this crappy shift, I had enough. I was a physical wreck, always sick, had 2 miscarriages and my marriage was in the toilet. I told my NM that I felt I had fulfilled my end of the bargain, and the 'new nurse' was more than capable of working straight nights (as she was hired to do). My NM said that the nurse LIKED the split shifts, and that she needed me to continue with the schedule as it was. I felt betrayed, and furthermore felt like I was being dumped on to appease this new nurse.

Instead of quitting, I went to my primary care doc, who had offered to write me a note (after my second miscarriage) restricting me to 12 hour days ONLY. I got the note, AND the shift.

Be an advocate for yourself.

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
THe schedule is insane....
It's only insane for you, not for them. You're simply a body with which they can plug schedule holes. Beyond that, they don't care.
I just get told we're short staffed and if I don't like the schedule to look for another job.
If they're short-staffed, it's only by choice. The fact that they respond so flippantly as "look for another job" indicates that they're well aware of the glut of nurses on the market.
I just feel like I've given my last for this place and been screwed over for the last time...
It's only the last time if you find another job.

Advice? No practical advice beyond try to find a better position...

and vote "yes" if a collective-bargaining vote ever comes along...

And vote against the Reep platform seeking to limit the rights of workers to organize.

were you hired specifically for day shift only? or rotating?

I can understand if they switch to 12s that you have to work 12s instead, but putting you on nights if you're only supposed to be on days is not appropriate. especially so close together.

Maybe you can try trading shifts with someone?

Specializes in LTC.

When I was hired I was hired PRN and said I would take anything. Then I went full time evenings and told her I could no longer do nights because apparently even tho I used to do nights a couple years ago,my body and mind can't handle them now..

We'll see...I may have to take a pay cut which is really not what I wanna do

We'll see...I may have to take a pay cut which is really not what I wanna do

Money is not, repeat NOT, everything. No amount of money is worth working a schedule like that.

I'm in hospice now. Less money, far more suited to my personality and ways. It was worth the cut.

Specializes in Med-Surg/Neuro/Oncology floor nursing..

Both hospitals I work(ed) at required the nurses to work three days in a row, twelve hours at a time. After those three shifts in a row we got four days off in a row. I loved it. Of course we did have to work some nights in a row. But to me it was worth it. Not having to go to work four days in a row? Loved it. Of course some nurses simply cannot do it because of family obligations, another job, etc. If the OP has a problem go ahead to the person in charge of you(even if it means going over your supervisors head, do whatever you have to do to keep your job(unless you don't want to be a nurse anymore and want stay in the medical profession and become a XRAY or MRI tech). Or if you still want to stay in nursing you can quit and apply at another hospital. OR you can become a private nurse for a clinic or doctors office. They have great hours. I hope everything works out for you!

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
I guess one question is, if I refuse to do it or quit without notice is that abandonment?
It's only abandonment if there is no nurse to assume care of patients for whom you've already assumed care (from some other nurse).

Failure to provide notice is a breach of workplace courtesy and would show you in a very poor light. It's not illegal or a violation of nursing ethics but it is unprofessional.

Specializes in LTC.

Well...she took a week's notice with me finishing this week's night shifts and being rehirable once they went back to 8 hour shifts. I tried to think of a way to work it out and do it and I just can't..not even straight nights...unless I can't find another job..I guess we'll see.

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