Problem With Orientation Schedule-How do I voice my concerns?

Published

Specializes in Hospice, OB, Telemetry.

I have recently started a brand new job on a brand new unit! I really like it, I enjoyed my first day yesterday and the nurses and doctors all seem to be supportive and all about "getting the job done". Something I am not used to.

However, I do have on issue. I was hired in to work 36 hours (3 12 hour shifts). I assumed this is what I would be working on orientation since I was never told otherwise. My preceptor tells me, however, that I must work her schedule of 2 12's and 2 8's (40 hours) while I am on orientation. Since this is a specialty unit, orientatin is 90 days. I am kind of upset with this because another new hire is scheduled for 36 hours with her preceptor.

Now am I out of line here for expecting to work my 36 hours? Should I talk to the manager about it? I do not want to appear lazy as I just got here but I was not expecting this at all. I could work this schedule, but three months is a long time and I don't really want to come in four days of the week unless I am working overtime. It's not what I was hired for.

What should I do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Med Surg, Pediatrics, ER.

I understand your frustration. I experienced this as a new grad. I did speak up and ask for 3 12's, and in my case it was a mistake. The unit manager had no problem with it. The issue came in with preceptors. The preceptor I would have had was wonderful. I ended up with her only a few days, and the rest of the time I was shuffled around. There was no consistency. I wish I had just worked the preceptor's schedule and made the best of it. If you are scheduled to work with a good preceptor then I would just do the best I could with her schedule. Orientation is not forever and you do need a good orientation. It makes a huge difference!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, OB, Telemetry.

Yes. I REALLY like my preceptor so far. SHe is knowledgable and I can tell she loves the unit and really likes to teach.

Perhaps I could do mostly her schedule but ask that some weeks, if things come up, I could be allowed to do 36 hrs (three twelves but do the last four hours with someone else the day she leaves after eight). Because I really wasn't planning on 40 hours but I like my preceptor and the unit and I want to start off on the right foot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

With my orientation we are only expected to work our scheduled hours regardless of what our preceptors work. It happens to be for me that I was hired for 36 but my preceptor only works 32. They fins extra stuff for me to do so I can make up my 4 hours.

Did you tell your preceptor you weren't expecting to work 40? Maybe you could ask her what she think you should do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

It wouldn't hurt to ask for clarification but I would be prepared to just suck it up and do whatever schedule they deem necessary for your orientation period. Its not unusual for orientation to be totally different than your full time one. Good luck and congrats on getting a great preceptor!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

For three months? I would suck it up and stick with your awesome preceptor rather than roll the dice and end up spending your 3rd day every week with an ogre....or worse yet, someone different every week for 12 weeks. Orientation hours don't ever really seem to reflect what you were "hired to do." Luckily, it's a short period of time.

I spent my entire orientation working a different shift, with completely different people because they don't routinely do orientation on nights. I learned a TON, though, and now I'm grateful for the experience.

The only reason I would probably speak up would be if working 4 days a week, rather than 3, somehow makes the rest of your life difficult - say another job issue, childcare problems, etc. Your contract may say that you're to work 36 hours a week, but (at least) at our hospital that's the minimum requirement, not the maximum. I doubt if their payroll policies allow for OT for over 36 hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I would suck it up and be grateful that you're getting 90 days, and all with the same preceptor.

I had ten days with four different preceptors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Yeah, I would agree....unless it's playing complete havoc with your life, I would just go with working with the awesome preceptor...that makes it easy enough to do...

If something doesn't work with you, then talk to the manager....but is it really worth rocking the boat over? I would just deal for 3 months, and then go from there....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, OB, Telemetry.

Well, even though my preceptor has not turned out to be as "awesome" as I first thought she was, I've been sticking the 40 hour work weeks out, showing up with a smile on my face even though it is at times overwhelming and I feel exhausted and I've wanted to cry at times. In mid-September we start classes anyway so I will have a couple of days off the floor for a few weeks.

But the first two weeks of October (which are my last two weeks of orientation) I will have to go to 36 hours due to my personal schedule changing outside of work. I can only do three days a week from then on although of course occasionally I will do OT. I have already asked another nurse if she would be ok with me doing one 12 hour shift with her and she said yes. I hope I don't end up offending anybody but oh well, they should understand. IMNSHO I am more than playing my part.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

In my elderly old nurse opinion, preceptees should work their preceptor's schedule. You should be bonded at the hip. She/he needs to see everything you do and be right there to assure or correct you. How can she do otherwise? I don't believe I would sign off things a preceptee did if I didn't see them do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Utilization Review.
It wouldn't hurt to ask for clarification but I would be prepared to just suck it up and do whatever schedule they deem necessary for your orientation period. Its not unusual for orientation to be totally different than your full time one. Good luck and congrats on getting a great preceptor!

I agree. Unless you have a compelling issue, childcare, home obligations, etc, I honestly would suck it up and do the 90 days on her schedule. Especially since you stated you do like her. I think this happens a lot in preceptorship/orientation to have different hours while learning the ropes.

I wouldn't rock the boat unless I had a really good honest reason for it.

Congrats on a new job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion