momto6msn

I didn't get the whole bus comment myself ????? How did I sacrifice her, and what did I gain ???? And people want the weekend off because ITS THE WEEKEND. It's when EVERYTHING FUN HAPPENS.

They stand where they've been standing. Nothing at all has changed. It's a 15 bed ICU with 3 RNs scheduled. Throw in a few 1:1s and it's untenable. Of course I don't blame her (other than I don't think 24/7/365 facility is the best choice for someone that can't work certain days - ever. This is not a time-limited situation where we can suck it up for a few months and things will revert back to normal). She has better negotiating skills than I ever thought of having. Whether she stated she was unable to work before or after they hired her - I don't know. I wasn't there, nor was anyone else posting on this thread. Of course it's managements job to fill the holes. They approved this - they need to fix it. I really don't even know what else to say to this.... And yes, it is a religious exemption, which makes it a legal issue which is further confounded with a CBA. And no, she did not offer to work any extra Sundays. She offered to work FT hours as she IS FT (another point I'm not going to argue). She was told she was needed in that regard. I've tried going to the union and I've tried going to the manager - both with a plan to solve this, all to no avail. I guess it I need to accept it and move on at this point. Oh, and I hope I didn't offend anyone with my "asinine" comments.

There has been absolutely no harassment, nor will there be. As I have stated previously, we all work very well together and this issue has in no way impacted our relationship or abilities to do our jobs. I stayed over an hour late the last shift I worked doing nothing but helping her get caught up. She couldn't have thanked me enough and I have no doubt she would do the same for me ( just not on a Saturday haha).

We have all discussed the Saturday issue with her, and it would be such an easy fix. There's an open day position from the other rotation and if it is flipped to ours - it would bring us up to compliance with the staffing quotas outlined in the contract. I think she is agreeable to this, but so far no one is willing to come to days. We have also offered to switch the aide from our weekend to the other to make it a little more even and fair. So, I have hope that eventually it will work out. Summer with vacations scheduled has me a bit nervous though. She has also admitted staffing is an issue all around (which it is), but really hasn't offered much in the way of fixing this.

If she could find someone willing to work every Saturday while she picks up every Sunday it would be perfect. I doubt that would happen - it's just too small of a unit.

It's only fair. She came to my rescue when I stupidly took my pt's clock off the wall to reset the time and then couldn't get it back up, and it's dangling by its wires and all I can think of is electrocution. So all is well.

Actually I was with my family Sunday as it was Mother's Day, and I worked 13-14 hrs Mon and Tues. Sorry to disappoint, however. Allow me some clarification: 95% of my resentment is towards the hospital as a whole; management specifically. I have no personal problems with this particular nurse; actually we get along quite well. She's a very sweet person. I even shared my goldfish crackers with her yesterday when we were both too busy to stop and get something to eat. This is in no way personal and we work very well together. My only issue with her is why would she work in a 24/7/365 facility knowing full well she isn't willing to work probably the single hardest shift to staff? How do I know all this? I asked her initially. We are allowed one additional weekend off per year (other than scheduled ones). She had just joined us on days from nights and I saw on the schedule she was off that Saturday. I asked her if she had anything fun scheduled or was going away since using your one weekend is kind of a big deal - just making small talk really. She told me then she is off every Saturday for her religion at that time. I didn't say anything and I honestly don't know what religion she is. No reason to be "stymied" by any of this. Re: the FT vs PT issue. There are no PT issues in our unit - really only in the OR. Her job was just posted a few months ago as FT. In looking at the schedule I noticed she was a shift short from everyone else most of the time. I once again asked her. I was told the manager told her she's not needed. This I don't understand and frankly it pisses me off. Every once in a while she'll work the same number of shifts as the rest of us. Perhaps there was some "behind the scenes dealing" to allow her FT benefits without FT hours. I highly doubt it but it's certainly possible. We're more short than not. As far as the unit's "back up plan" - there is none. They will float us someone if they can, but of course they can't take vents/CRRT/IABP etc. They will also send out a mass text message to everyone asking for help. That works about once every 6 months. When we're short - it sucks to be us. Another issue I probably should have mentioned (I apologize) - there are two rotations. We are on the short one. All they would need to do to be in compliance with the staffing ratios outlined in the contract is to move one person from the other rotation to this one and the problem is solved. Yes we have all spoken to the manager re: this. She will "let us know." Do I want this particular nurse to work every Saturday? I don't care who works, as long as someone does. I honestly don't think making her work every Sunday will even make a difference. They'll just be heavier on Sundays and we'll still be short on Saturdays. And yes, being short one RN in a small rural ICU can and does make a difference. Throw in a few 1:1 and a scheduled vacation day or call-in and it is without a doubt problematic. Hope that clarifies a few things - and thanks for all the input!

I have requested the same number of hours scheduled (actually several of us have) and was denied (we all were).

It becomes my business every Saturday when I work short and I end up with 3-4 vents and no lunch/break for 13-14 hrs.....

Hey all - I'm looking for input on the following situation: a co-worker has been granted a religious accommodation to never work a Saturday (hospital ICU, where everyone is scheduled every other weekend). She does not have to work every Sunday, and they have not filled the hole her not working as created. As you can imagine, our Saturdays are horrible. I have gone to our union - NYSNA - but they are not willing to do anything. She is also scheduled 8 hours less every two weeks than the rest of us, yet still maintains full-time benefits even though she is actually working what is considered part-time. I'm becoming extremely resentful......am I valid feeling this way, or should I just mind my own business?