Kalypso22

Hi! I have asked for specific time off a couple times while starting a new job. If it is something you cannot miss and will be a significant amount if time or the time off is during a popular time, i recommend stating this when HR calls you with the offer. This way you can get it in writing before you start and there's no problem. I did this for my wedding/honeymoon. Now I know you said that you already have the offer letter so yes I would contact the manager as soon as you can. I don't know when you'd be physically at the facility but emailing/calling would be better than waiting a few weeks to actually start. Typically it is easier to get time off while on orientation because you don't officially "count" in the staffing numbers. That said the sooner you make arrangements the better. Good Luck!

Thank you all for your responses. I will check the policies again to be sure before I make a decision. The feedback you all have provided has been very helpful!

Hello! I have just accepted a new job as a department manager at another hospital. I am going to give my current employer my two week notice today however I was informed by the new job there is a benefit put on by the chief surgeon of my department and that I need to be there. Of course it falls on one of the last nights I work.Normally I wouldn't even consider calling off after giving notice, I just feel like this is important. Another thing I'm struggling with is my current employer will not pay out my PTO because I'm one month short of being there a year. So calling off would give me some of these hours back but I don't like the thought that I'm leaving coworkers short. I have tried to switch shifts but no one is able. What would you do? Thanks!

Thank you for your response! The OR interview could be moved up a week but unfortunately it would be 8a-5p and I work the night before and of 7p-7a so I'd never make it unless I called in. I think I will take your advice and go with the job that's harder to come by if given the option. Thank you!

Hi Everyone! I'm looking for some advice on some potential job offers. I have interviewed on 1/19 for two positions at hospital A as a pacu nurse and ed nurse. I would be thrilled to work in either department. They both said they would let me know next week. Hospital B called me to interview for OR Dept Manager which is the direction I'd most like to go. I have years of surgical experience and am currently working on my MSN in leadership so it seems like a good step . The problem is the interview isn't until 2/6 and I will likely know about the other two interviews before I meet with hospital B. I'm just not sure how to go about this as they are all better opportunities then the job I currently have. I know I haven't been officially offered the positions yet but I just want to have a plan incase. It is a great problem to have! Thanks for any thoughts!

That sounds interesting. What does an infusion nurse do? Besides the obvious infusion part :-)

I'm feeling pretty stuck lately. I am a newer nurse, only three years,but I still feel like I haven't found the type of nursing that fits me. I've done OR nursing which I didn't mind, just got tired of all the on call. I was in the OR 2.5 years and have transitioned to acute care. I went to acute care/house supervisor because I thought floor experience would help me with nursing skills I wasn't able to routinely use in the OR. While I have learned some, I feel even less fulfilled in this role. Not miserable just not really interested in what I'm doing and I don't want to be be like that. I have discovered that learning a patient's entire history is not inspiring to me. I am much more task oriented, see the problem fix it and move on. I just don't know what type of nursing to try and I feel guilty hoping around. I really just want to find where I fit. Anyone else ever experience this? Thank you for any advice. I do appreciate it!

I have only been in this position 6 months so I really don't want to leave so soon yet I feel like they didn't tell me the whole truth in the interview. I applied for a staff nurse position but because I had charge nurse experience that asked me to accept the supervisor position. I had no previous medsurg experience which should have been my first clue. How do you supervise something you've never done? I've been primarily in the OR/PACU for my nursing career and I came to the floor with hopes of learning nursing skills. Well I had 6 shifts of orientation total for the floor and as a house supervisor. I was told "you figure it out as you go." That alone has left a sour taste in my mouth. They pitched me a sweet schedule (6 nights on and 8 off) which is a big reason why I took this job. I think I've had a full 8 days off once and never have I made it through a stretch off without multiple phone calls and sometimes threatening texts about picking up shifts. I cannot find anywhere in my job description that says I have to available on days off. The most it says is that I am responsible for staffing during my scheduled shift. This whole thing is just very disappointing. Ive been saying no or not answering but I'm not sure how long I will be able to get away with it.

Yes you are right. I worry that not covering the open shifts as the supervisor could give the hospital reason to fire me. There is a union but my position is non union which really makes me nervous.

It's just very frustrating. Management keeps sending out emails about how everyone needs to think of the TEAM. They are offering $5 per hour shift incentive but even with that no one has picked up. To top it all off my manager went on vacation for a week and a half....not that everyone doesn't deserve a vacation but that doesn't seem very team like. I am so over feeling guilty about not wanting to go in on my day off.ugh.

Yes I am basically a charge nurse though my official title is house supervisor. It can be challenging to have my patients and also have to deal with issues in another department am hourly so I do get paid for extra shifts.

Hello All! My situation is a little different because I am a "supervisor" on a medsurg floor at a very small hospital. Basically I take patients and deal with any issues that arise on the nights I'm there. I work 6 on and 8 off, which was a huge reason to take the position. However we are extremely understaffed and the answer from upper management has been , "everyone will have to pick up." I'm relatively new to this hospital I've been there 5 months and it has been like this the whole time. I have picked up extra shifts where there were holes, usually one or two on my 8 days off but now nurses are calling off in addition to the holes that are already there. I suspect burnout from constantly working overtime. I feel guilty saying no because I am a "supervisor" though my time away is important too. I work my six in a row and feel like adding more is too much at one time. I don't know what to do. I like my job but I don't want it to be my life. It's frustrating because nothing is being done about the staffing. Should I just suck it up and work? Thanks!

In my experience a lot of the rudeness happens until you "prove yourself". Being the new person is hard for many reasons and this is one of them, until they get comfortable they will be hard on you. Not that it is a good excuse but it has happened to me in the past. With more time and experience you will be able to stand up for yourself in a professional way. Then there are surgeons who are rude no matter how much experience you have. Just try to do your best it will get better hang in there! :-)