Per Diem

[AmoreLove007]

Hi all!

I am currently a per diem RN on a mother-baby unit. I was full time until I had my son 2 years ago. I have been prescheduled by my manager a month ahead of time and it has been working out nicely. I have been having an issue lately though that as a per diem the order of floating as per our contract is agency/travelers, then per diem, then staff. My unit has been floating us very very often lately and we are floated to cover labor and delivery antepartum patients. I really do not feel so comfortable taking care of such patients, we did used to have them on our floors but they have since been moved to a separate unit so as mother-baby nurses we do not care for them anymore on a regular basis. I feel like when I float to that area that I am not confident in my ability to interpret fetal tracings etc. There are some nurses who say they will not float because they were never "trained" in that area, but since I have worked with them prior when they were on our floor I am one who they feel can float up there if needed. Today I was called by staffing and told I wasn't needed on my unit but would I work on the antepartum. I politely declined and said I would rather be cancelled than work there because I don't feel comfortable. Does anyone think I am crazy? My husband was annoyed at me for losing out on the money and I understand but he doesn't understand the pressure it is to work up there and how I do not feel comfortable. So again I ask, am I crazy and being difficult with staffing or does anyone see what I am saying? Feeling kind of bad at the moment :/

[RNperdiem, RN]

I don't think you are crazy. You are putting the health and safety of your patients first, and that is important.

Unless your husband works in a job where lives are on the line, and you hold a big responsibility for protecting those lives, he will not understand.

If you are willing to take the financial hit from being cancelled rather than work in a department where you don't feel competent, then that is what I would do.