Requesting Fewer Hours?

[Katie89]

Hi all;

I just started working at a hospital (third shift), 32 hours a week. I'm going back to school (R.N. program) in the spring; I started last Fall and took off this semester so I'd have some time to get accustomed to 3rd shift without having to deal with going back to school at the same time.

At my time of hire, I figured that 32 hours a week would be something I could handle when I went back to school. HOWEVER, now that I've actually been doing it, I think it will be just too much to handle at the same time. I need some time to myself, not to mention to sleep, you know? I don't feel like I'll be as productive a worker, or as good a student, with this much on my plate. I know it's possible, but I'm only 19 and I just don't want to feel constantly overwhelmed.

I really want to ask my manager if, in the Spring, I can work 8 fewer hours a week (so I'd be working one less day a week). When she was interviewing me, though, she specifically mentioned that she needed me to stay in this position (i.e. not just take the 3rd shift position to "get in" and then request a switch to 1st or 2nd shift), as I was hired in replacement of another CNA who went to 1st shift.

I'm perfectly fine with staying on nights, but I really feel like I need those 8 fewer hours. I'm worried about asking my manager, because a) I only just started at the end of July and I'm sure it would look bad to request less time ALREADY, and B) she specifically mentioned that she needed me to keep the position that she hired me for.

Do you think that my working one less day a week would still qualify as "keeping that position"? There are several nights a week where there are two CNAs on (sometimes it's just me (nights)), but we make out our own schedules and with some careful scheduling on my part, I'm sure I could make it work so that there's always somebody on.

SO what do you think? Should I even bother to ask, or would that just be a huge faux-pas and only make me look bad, just to have my request rejected?

Thanks for any answers and sorry this was so long!

--Katie:heartbeat

[Juliamine]

Doesn't hurt to ask. And to be honest unless your in some position that is just really primo, then you could find another job in a heartbeat if needed. You being successful in school should be your priority.

[samsam22, CNA]

Hi there im in the same boat as you.

I am 18 years old and just got a job working night shifts 11p-7am per diem at a hospital, they are going to start me off working about 24 hours a week... and i can work more if i choose to.

I am also a full time student just finishing up all my LVN prereqs i take about 12 units a semester.

I think that if you worked about 24 hours instead of 32 you would be able to handle this better, becuase if i can do it you can, and i still have freetime. Youre manager is probably a RN as well and if you explain to them that being a CNA isnt your career choice and that being a RN is they should understand that school comes first, ask for one shift less, they cannot fire you for asking. If they give it to you then thats great, if not.. then go apply to a different hospital, you have experience now and getting another hospital job would be easy!

So i think you should at least ask, and if she doesnt give it to you start looking for a new job that is part time, since being a CNA is not your career choice you really gotta focus on school

[psalm, RN]

There might be a different floor at your hospital that would love to hire you for 24 hours a week, check it out if your current manager can't or won't work with you.