I'm curious to see if other floor nurses are currently in the same situation I find myself in. We use a PTO system in my hospital, but it seems that lately it's nearly impossible to use any unless it is for a scheduled vacation. I've been told by management that if any two RNs are on vacation the same week (day/night) then there is realistically no time for her to give, since she is budgeted for 80 hours/week. There would *maybe* be 8 hours available, and since we work 12 hour shifts, that available PTO would not even cover a full shift.
This was not the case in past years. I used to be able to strategically take a PTO day every two months or so to give myself a stretch of time off. I've pushed this up to HR who seemed to be clueless, as apparently every department has their own rules regarding PTO.
Is anyone else having issues with PTO because of bigger issues such as budgeting?
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
We are required to request vacation a year in advance. Then we are put on a waiting list. This is forcing nurses to call in sick when they need a day off.
OK, that's for vacation. But can't you request a specific day off before the schedule comes out? I've never worked anywhere that wasn't an option. No, you cannot request to work fewer hours that week, but we have truly flexible schedules. Most employers will let you "stack" your days to get up to a week off without using PTO.
NO one is forcing nurses to call in sick when they need a day off. That would be unethical.
PTO is earned for you to use as you wish. As HR is useless ( as usual) and your manager is interpreting it to their benefit.. review the policy yourself. You are entitled to request ANY day off in a future schedule .. and it must be granted.
I'm curious to see if other floor nurses are currently in the same situation I find myself in. We use a PTO system in my hospital, but it seems that lately it's nearly impossible to use any unless it is for a scheduled vacation. I've been told by management that if any two RNs are on vacation the same week (day/night) then there is realistically no time for her to give, since she is budgeted for 80 hours/week. There would *maybe* be 8 hours available, and since we work 12 hour shifts, that available PTO would not even cover a full shift.
This was not the case in past years. I used to be able to strategically take a PTO day every two months or so to give myself a stretch of time off. I've pushed this up to HR who seemed to be clueless, as apparently every department has their own rules regarding PTO.
Is anyone else having issues with PTO because of bigger issues such as budgeting?
This is similar to one of the jobs I have. Any days we want off have to be at least 8 weeks off in advance, and even then, not everyone can earn PTO. At my first job, people have been known to get PTO even on the day they are requesting it for, but that would never be seen at my other job. I'm sure it's because of budgeting issues that only certain staff receive PTO and that it is very difficult to get days off.
We are required to request vacation a year in advance. Then we are put on a waiting list. This is forcing nurses to call in sick when they need a day off.
I have to wonder if this is what is going on at one of my jobs. We have to submit requests a significant amount of time in advance; short-notice PTO is really not seen. I honestly don't believe that everyone who calls in (because it happens almost EVERY night) is actually sick enough that they need to stay home.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
OK, that's for vacation. But can't you request a specific day off before the schedule comes out? I've never worked anywhere that wasn't an option. No, you cannot request to work fewer hours that week, but we have truly flexible schedules. Most employers will let you "stack" your days to get up to a week off without using PTO.
NO one is forcing nurses to call in sick when they need a day off. That would be unethical.