required to orient 11p-7a

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

I got a transfer within my hospital corporation. I was granted the transfer about a month ago, started today. I'm a little frusturated at what they failed to inform me regarding my orientation though. It wouldn't have stopped me from taking the position, but it would have allowed me more time to plan.

I switched from a part time two 12 hours a week, to a part time three eight hour shifts a week. But they require me to work full time, five eights during my orientation, which should be about 8 weeks. They also require me to orient for 2 11p-7a shifts, even though I am working 3p-11p. I can make it work, but it has left me in a bit of a bind, as I have a 1 year old who I need to arrange day care for. I had made arrangements for 3 days a week, not 5. My husband works until 6 pm, but our daycare is only open until 5, so he has to leave work early those days. She also doesn't open until 8 am, so he has to go in late. He can not do this 5 days a week. We were planning on finding a new place regardless, but not with less than a weeks notice.

I'm sure the full time orientation is normal, but is it common to make you orient on a midnight shift? I'm going to make it work, but I just wish they had let me know sooner. . My first week was only 3 days scheduled, so I had no reason to believe I would be required to work the extra.

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Specializes in ER.

You could try to talk to the educator who is planning your orientation. Most orientations can be tailored to fit your schedule, at least until you find a daycare person in the meantime. It's odd that you're having to work 5 days a week, when you're part-time, though. Why aren't you staying within your budgeted time?? If you're 24 hours a week, why are you working 40 hours/week while on orientation? Because I can completely understand the childcare issue, talk to the educator about your situation and the hours that you're having a bind. Maybe you can work a few weekends into the deal or change up the hours a bit until you come up with your daycare plan.

My last job, when I took the position, I explained to them that I was available only 8-5p during the week days - they're weren't happy, but I just hopped in with whomever they were working with and got my orientation done that way. I was in a bind for childcare for those two weeks - and my position was for every other weekend, so doing shifts during the week put me in a bind. It all worked out.

Perhaps there's a daycare at the hospital??

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
You could try to talk to the educator who is planning your orientation. Most orientations can be tailored to fit your schedule, at least until you find a daycare person in the meantime. It's odd that you're having to work 5 days a week, when you're part-time, though. Why aren't you staying within your budgeted time?? If you're 24 hours a week, why are you working 40 hours/week while on orientation? Because I can completely understand the childcare issue, talk to the educator about your situation and the hours that you're having a bind. Maybe you can work a few weekends into the deal or change up the hours a bit until you come up with your daycare plan.

My last job, when I took the position, I explained to them that I was available only 8-5p during the week days - they're weren't happy, but I just hopped in with whomever they were working with and got my orientation done that way. I was in a bind for childcare for those two weeks - and my position was for every other weekend, so doing shifts during the week put me in a bind. It all worked out.

Perhaps there's a daycare at the hospital??

My position will also be every other weekend, which is changing from every 3rd weekend. But they don't like people to work weekends while on Orientation. So I will be M-F. I'm hoping that I can get it situated without having to ask them to change anything. Per our Union contract, both sides have 30 days to decide it's not working. I really really hate to start out on that note, KWIM? If I run into a serious bind and just can't make other arrangements, then I will speak up though.

It's going to suck, because thats 5 days in a row that I won't be home to put my daughter to bed. She is NOT going to be happy about that, lol. On a happier note, the extra money will be nice right before the holidays:yeah:

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Good attitude - it will be a lousy week; but I imagine they think it is good to see all the shifts to better understand the whole 24 hr flow. It really does help to see what the other shifts have to deal with - instead of playing the "only my shift works" game.

Congrats on the new job!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Good attitude - it will be a lousy week; but I imagine they think it is good to see all the shifts to better understand the whole 24 hr flow. It really does help to see what the other shifts have to deal with - instead of playing the "only my shift works" game.

Congrats on the new job!

Very true! I'll get through the 2 night shifts somehow, lol. I'm bummed with the 5 nights a week deal, for like 6 weeks. I'm part time for a reason, so not being home won't be the greatest. But once I see the paycheck, I'll get over it, lol

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Specializes in FP, immunizations, LTC, psych.
Good attitude - it will be a lousy week; but I imagine they think it is good to see all the shifts to better understand the whole 24 hr flow. It really does help to see what the other shifts have to deal with - instead of playing the "only my shift works" game.

Congrats on the new job!

I agree completely. In addition, it enables you to 'hang on' until someone can come in just in case your replacement doesn't show, which has happened to me in the past when I was working night charge. Due to a scheduling glitch, the day charge didn't come in for 4.5 hours and I was LOST to say the least. With some cross-training I would've been able to, if nothing else, have an idea of the many tasks I had to carry out.

I know it sucks, but I think it's very wise for you and puts you in a better positon as a nurse. You understand the flow, and you have the comfort of knowing that you can be dropped almost anywhere and be able to hit the ground running; I envy you for that.

Consider this a blessing. Understand it's temporary, take advantage of the opportunity for the extra knowledge, and stick it out. We're all pulling for ya & know you can do it! :D

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, PICU.

Does your precepter work a mix of days and nights? I can't see any reason to orient on nights, unless your going to work that shift, or to keep your precetor the same. Just see if you can talk to your educator.

The full time orientation thing is common- even if you're part-time. Your orientation is 2 months (which seems long to me especially if you're not switching speciality), so if you went part-time it would be 4-5 months of orientation.

MassED- A lot of places have orientations in a separate part of the budget, and since they know they have to be full-time, they allocate for that.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Does your precepter work a mix of days and nights? I can't see any reason to orient on nights, unless your going to work that shift, or to keep your precetor the same. Just see if you can talk to your educator.

The full time orientation thing is common- even if you're part-time. Your orientation is 2 months (which seems long to me especially if you're not switching speciality), so if you went part-time it would be 4-5 months of orientation.

MassED- A lot of places have orientations in a separate part of the budget, and since they know they have to be full-time, they allocate for that.

I did a total field switch, lol. I switched from ICU to Psych. I don't have a set preceptor, because I am going to be float pool. So I have to orient to all 4 units, as well as the psych ER. Being that it's psych, they have a bit different of an orientation.

I can see the night shift orientation after some thought. We get a lot of snow, so things can happen when you get off at 11pm. I have plenty of warning to plan for it, as it will be at the end of my orientation. It just caught me off guard. We have this next week figured out for daycare, as I will be 7-3, my current babysitter can watch her the entire time. Still working on the weeks following though. Hopefully I can find somewhere for her to go.

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Specializes in ER.
My position will also be every other weekend, which is changing from every 3rd weekend. But they don't like people to work weekends while on Orientation. So I will be M-F. I'm hoping that I can get it situated without having to ask them to change anything. Per our Union contract, both sides have 30 days to decide it's not working. I really really hate to start out on that note, KWIM? If I run into a serious bind and just can't make other arrangements, then I will speak up though.

It's going to suck, because thats 5 days in a row that I won't be home to put my daughter to bed. She is NOT going to be happy about that, lol. On a happier note, the extra money will be nice right before the holidays:yeah:

your daughter won't remember a week in her life that you weren't home in time to put her to bed. You'll make those moments that you ARE home precious, so those other times won't be a big deal. I think the guilt we feel is what we, as parents, place onto ourselves. Not how our kids feel. Our kids will appreciate our hard work that helps them to have a good life.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
your daughter won't remember a week in her life that you weren't home in time to put her to bed. You'll make those moments that you ARE home precious, so those other times won't be a big deal. I think the guilt we feel is what we, as parents, place onto ourselves. Not how our kids feel. Our kids will appreciate our hard work that helps them to have a good life.

Well said!!

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
your daughter won't remember a week in her life that you weren't home in time to put her to bed. You'll make those moments that you ARE home precious, so those other times won't be a big deal. I think the guilt we feel is what we, as parents, place onto ourselves. Not how our kids feel. Our kids will appreciate our hard work that helps them to have a good life.

Yeah, except it's not a "week in her life." Its' 6 weeks and she's only a year old. I would have a problem with this too when my kids were little. Heck,at 1 year all three of mine were still breast-feeding.No way could I have been away from home 5 days a week for a month and a half.

OP, I agree with the others who suggest talking to the educator. I'm sure this isn't the first time this has come up. Even if they had to extend your orientation an extra 2 weeks, it would be worth it. At any rate, it won't hurt to ask. All they can say is No(and give you a good explanation why!)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Yeah, except it's not a "week in her life." Its' 6 weeks and she's only a year old. I would have a problem with this too when my kids were little. Heck,at 1 year all three of mine were still breast-feeding.No way could I have been away from home 5 days a week for a month and a half.

OP, I agree with the others who suggest talking to the educator. I'm sure this isn't the first time this has come up. Even if they had to extend your orientation an extra 2 weeks, it would be worth it. At any rate, it won't hurt to ask. All they can say is No(and give you a good explanation why!)

I'm still BF as well. Although I'm actually trying to wean, because I have to take infertility meds to have another baby. Hubby and I have talked about it, we're going to make it work. We can really use the money right now. Also, per our Union contract we have 30 days on each side to decide this isn't going to work. I really don't want to appear unflexible, or make them feel like someone else would be a better candidate for the job.

I'll still be home with her until 2:30 pm, so we'll still see have time together. It will be tough, but we'll get through it!

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