luv2dive

Hi everyone, I was finally granted a 'robotic' telephone interview this morning for a CM job with a major insurance company, after I applied several times and waited a couple of months for a reply. Shortly after the interview, I received a phone call from an HR rep who seemed interested in my qualifications, but wanted to talk about the salary right away. She had heard what I stated I was currently making at the hospital and apologetically stated that they couldn't offer me anywhere near that. Granted, I would accept somewhat less in salary than I'm currently making because the job as CM isn't as physically taxing and doesn't involve working 7p - 7a like I'm currently working, but the figure I was given was like a slap in the face! It was about 65% of what I currently make at the hospital. Like I said, I would expect a little less....but I also feel that they need to consider my 35+ years of nursing experience....and past experience as a CM for a home health company. Thanks for letting me vent, and I'm curious to know if anyone has insight as to whether the salaries for insurance CM's vary widely among companies. Thanks in advance for any info or advice you can give this tired, over-worked and burnt out hospital nurse!

Thanks Atomic Tom. I did tell one of the judge's assistants that my employer expected me to work during the weekend during my jury duty service and she wasn't sure whether this was legal or illegal. She only said that my employer couldn't force me to work during the hours of my jury duty. She advised me to contact my HR dept. which I did, and as posted previously, yes...they can legally ask that I work on the weekend. It seems to be a gray area with working nights and 12-hr. shifts, as I can't find anything in writing that addresses fatigue, too many work hours,,etc,,,as it relates to jury duty. If push comes to shove, my next step would be to call the labor board. If I have to work a night shift on Saturday here and there...I suppose I can deal with that. However, if they expect me to work a night shift on either Friday or Sunday, that would butt up against the time that I need to be at the courthouse, meaning I'd be up for over 24 hours. That just wouldn't be doable for me! I'm going to have a little down time from the courthouse this week, as there's a matter in the trial that can't be heard by the jury. I'm going to use that time to go talk with my nurse manager, give her my views, and try to get this sorted out.

Hi Kara, I've been a post partum nurse for the last 12 years and I love it. One way to get your foot in the door is to talk to the nurse manager of the post partum or L&D unit you're interested in working at. Many hospitals will provide on the job training for these specialties. Needless to say, I'd show a lot of enthusiasm and be prepared to answer questions like why this specialty area interests you. Ask the nurse manager what might be the best resource materials to use to help bring you up to date in these areas. Best of luck!

I have to agree with you SaoirseRN....but after being a nurse for 30+ years I guess I'm used to being trampled on. :***: It's helped me to verbalize my frustrations about this here on this forum and I really do appreciate everyone's input!

Update: One of our HR specialists left me a message today and said that I am responsible for working on weekends, but she didn't get into any specifics. Fortunately, I'm not scheduled to work at all on this weekend, and I'm going to have to speak with my manager to work out the particulars of my hours for upcoming weekends. I work 7p - 7a.....so I'd be able to handle working Saturday night,,,but I don't think it would be fair nor safe to ask me to work 7p - 7a on a Friday, nor Sunday since I'm at the courthouse all day Friday, and then again bright and early on Monday. The good news is that I'm going to be paid from the hospital during the time I'm on jury duty which I'm grateful for. Whether or not I'm going to get any OT for when I work Saturdays remains to be seen.

So snuggles...is it your contention that someone who has a desk job and gets to sit for most of their day is never really doing any work??? Do you know anything about mental fatigue? For as much as I'm finding that my tour of jury duty is interesting, I've been feeling somewhat fatigued and stressed at the end of each day. There's a tremendous amount of testimony to listen to, and some of it is rather complex. The decision that myself and my fellow jurors will ultimately have to make is going to have a lasting impact of the lives of not one, but several other citizens. Please believe me when I say that although I'm sitting for a good part of the day....this is work!

I never wanted an exemption, I've wanted to do my civic duty from the start...and besides that I'm already sworn in on a jury.

Thanks SouthernPoint! The only restrictions that the judge mentioned were not to discuss the details of the case with anyone and not to try to research anything about the case online. Nothing was mentioned about working or not working on my off days. He seems like a real stickler about the rules, so if the Federal Court had an objection to me working at all....I know he would have mentioned it. I'm going to try to get more clarification from my HR dept. tomorrow.

While it's never good to make a med error...it happens to the best of us ---even the most seasoned nurses! Fortunately the patient was not harmed and you can look at this as 'an opportunity for improvement'. I know that after this experience you'll be much more careful about checking med orders. The fact that this bothered you so much means that you really care and that you want to do the best job possible. It's ok to put this behind you and to go forward all the wiser. Just be more aware and you'll do fine!

What does that have to do with anything Bluegrass?

Martyrdom seems to be the norm in nursing. Why are there so many nurses that have no self-respect??? Yes, give a little extra here and there whenever you can....but know when to set the limit!!!

As an update....we had to listen to a lot of testimony today, and I didn't have the chance to call HR and have my questions answered. I get to go in just a little later tomorrow a.m., so I'm going to call HR and fire away with all my questions. I promise that I'll post an update once I have more answers. BTW...thank you for your input everyone!!! :) Robyn

Oh...so I guess that when they're looking for someone to work seven days at your facility Bluegrass, you're always the first one to volunteer??? Please read what I posted previously about working excessive hours. In short, we all need to pitch in and do a little extra from time to time but there's a limit to what nurses should be expected to do. Wouldn't you agree???

Just to clarify Kooky Korky....yes, I did present my summons to my employer as soon as I got it. It was only after I appeared in court on day one and was selected to serve on a jury that I was given a hard time. Today the judge's deputy provided me with a letter from the judge outlining the expected duration of the trial, the importance of my service as a juror, and the obligation of my employer to excuse me from work. I immediately drove to the hospital after jury duty and submitted the letter to one of the clinical managers,,,as my nurse manager was in a meeting. The reaction from the clinical manager was rather negative, and her reply was---"I always know what to say to get out of jury duty." I personally don't share her negative attitude towards performing one's civic duty in serving on a jury...and I don't think that I should be given grief over something that is not just my civic duty, but is also my legal obligation.

LOL Grn Tea...I promise I'll get some answers to this matter and post an update!