Schedule issues.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in LTC.

Ok so I have worked the past 3 days...I have tomorrow off. I am working 11-7 Saturday and Sunday night. Then I am scheduled.. Tuesday... THROUGH... Saturday. Thats 7 days in a row.

Should I tell the DON that its too much for me to handle with school and ask for a day off or two during that time?

I am not even full time. and Not even the full time employees have a schedule like this. Honestly after 3 days working.. My mind gets fuzzy and I need a day off to mentally rest.

I am very fortunate to have a job and I like where I work but.. I need my sanity.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

If the DON is the person making your schedule, by all means speak to her. If she is not, then seek out the person who actually makes up the schedule. Explain your willingness to assist in meeting staffing requirements but you can not physically work seven days straight.

My unit is self scheduling and when I see a six or seven day run, I question it because it is both physically and mentally exhausting. Check the research, I'm sure there is an increase in medication errors. poor documentation etc. If they won't work with you maybe you need to work somewhere else.

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Generally, with most nurse managers, once the schedule is out, that's it. Probably your best bet is to see if someone would switch days with you. You may have to put in requests to have your schedule set as you would like to see it. But that is no guarantee that your NM will give you those days either. Good luck...:smokin:

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

It doesn't appear that you have self-scheduling.

I'm not saying that it's right, but there is often the mindset that part-timers are there to fill in whatever holes there are in the schedule after full-time staff have been scheduled. And note -- there's a holiday weekend coming up.

Your first step is to find out, if you don't know already, exactly what policies there are at your workplace regarding scheduling. And before you go to the DON - make sure that it is indeed he/she who makes the schedule.

Staff scheduling is a thankless job. Many people will work with you if you make your preferences known.

Good luck to you.

(and I'll be right there with you, working through this long weekend ... ) ;)

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Specializes in LTC.
It doesn't appear that you have self-scheduling.

I'm not saying that it's right, but there is often the mindset that part-timers are there to fill in whatever holes there are in the schedule after full-time staff have been scheduled. And note -- there's a holiday weekend coming up.

Your first step is to find out, if you don't know already, exactly what policies there are at your workplace regarding scheduling. And before you go to the DON - make sure that it is indeed he/she who makes the schedule.

Staff scheduling is a thankless job. Many people will work with you if you make your preferences known.

Good luck to you.

(and I'll be right there with you, working through this long weekend ... ) ;)

But part time means just that... "part" time.. not every single damn day. When I saw this week which was the end of the schedule I wanted to throw up..

How can a person.. expect another person.. to work that much?????

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

You poor thing-- So this just got sprung on you? By all means go talk to your staffing person & ask for a couple days off-- That is not right. Then find out what exactly the block of days are that you are going to work. If it changes all the time just say no more than 4 days in a row (or whatever your max is) Good Luck--

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I have been doing scheduling for 22 yrs now and I always review each persons schedule to make sure that is reasonable and if for any reason a stretch of days may be a bit challenging I always ask them if they can do it. I believe that nurses should have control of their schedule so I post a draft and let every one fill in and I just work out the holes and adjust as needed. I believe nurses are happy this way and can run their lives better this way. Sometimes managers are just trying to fill the holes to get the job done and you are just a body to plug a hole...not good IMO. The best thing to do is make a trade with someone or get someone to work one of those shifts. Once you have done that make sure the person scheduling knows your preferences from now on. If you only want to do 2 days in a row..you need to say so...or two..whatever your preference. A good boss will want to keep you happy..bottom line..a happy employee is a good employee that will work hard.

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

Tuesday through Saturday is FIVE days in a row...

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

And if you are only part time, why are you working full time hours? Sounds like you need to have a chat with your DON.

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I think the OP is saying since she is working sat and sunday noct. 11-7 she gets out at 7a monday morning, and has to then report back on tuesday, thus technically making 7 straight days.... That's what I gathered anyway.

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Specializes in LTC.
I think the OP is saying since she is working sat and sunday noct. 11-7 she gets out at 7a monday morning, and has to then report back on tuesday, thus technically making 7 straight days.... That's what I gathered anyway.

You gathered correctly.

I consider monday a work day. since I will be working my little tail off in the wee hours of the morning.

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