rednalg

Yea, unions have pretty much done one thing for me--increase my wages. That 5% per year bit isn't too bad. I'm afraid the new owner is going to try and kill the union, however. Time will tell.

I work for the money. I've turned down the opportunity to move to a Director position, because I'd have to take a cut in pay under our new company. Working as Charge Nurse pays me more. Last year I made six figures. The Director position would start at $90,000. Plus, salaried positions mean you're going to work more than 40 hours a week. Right now, anything over 8 hours a day is overtime. I'd lose the OT and the call hours to move to a Director job. Maybe I'll change my mind later, but for now, you bet I'm working for the money. And a whole lot more.

Nursing is a job. I make 6 figures at nursing, have solid work, and have been doing this for the past 13 years. Yes, I work a lot of hours, but so what. I take a lot of call, but that's okay. I'm a charge nurse in the O.R. I've moved up the ladder after a lot of moves. I've struggled with being a guy in a woman's world, but it's okay. Who cares what the patients think? I just do my job professionally and don't worry about anything else.

You may not get to pick and choose your shift, but if you're willing to work anytime and willing to drive, you should find a job. More old nurses have come back, and a lot of old nurses can't afford to retire. So there are still plenty of older nurses still in the business. As for me, I'm getting older, and don't plan to leave. So don't think my spot will open up anytime soon.

I can offer up the same thoughts--we have a nurse who is chronically late, constantly complains, does what she's not supposed to do, and generally causes a disruption everyday. What is the answer from the director? "Don't pay attention to when she gets to work." Right. Like this is going to cause me to have more respect for the new director. I'm already past my patience threshold with this nurse (I'm in charge) and simply don't know what to do.

All the talk about "writing up" is not the solution. You make the mistake yourself in taking too long to take care of your SELF. Accept that you made a mistake and move on. Never leave a note that gives instructions. Always deliver in person. Go do what you need to do to take care of yourself, then get back to people in person.