Shift DRAMA

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Specializes in Hospice, OB, Telemetry.

OK, so back in the summer I started at a new hospital with the understaning that I would be doing 36 HOURS (3 12's) on the off-shift.

So I start working and b/c my preceptor works 40 hours (2 12's and 2 8's) I must work it as well. I bite my tongue and just do it. I find out I didn't like the unit, I transfer to another with the understanding that I would do 36 HOURS (3 12's) on the off shift. Again you must work what your preceptor does so I bite my tongue and again do 4d/wk or 40 hours. That was a total of almost four months on orientation (it's a specialty unit).

I get on my own. I am supposed to be scheduled for 3 12's. My manager comes to me and says that is not condusive to learning and she would be more comfortable with me on 1 12 and 3 8's (36 hours). I bite my tongue and do it. I later speak with my manager regarding my schedule and say I need to go to my schedule of 3 12's for future schedules. She says OK even though apparently the lady I was to bounce off of only does 2 12's and future orients are not yet out of orientation.

So she tells me a couple of days ago I would be on 3 12's. The schedule came out today and I'm NOT! I am still 1 12 and 3 8's even though I told her it is NOT a convenient schedule for me at all.

Folks, nursing is stressful enough. But I've got other issues in my life too that are stressful especially with holidays coming up. Since I've been at this job it's like it has taken over my life. I am totally stressed out and tired.

It's been nearly five months of this. Now am I wrong for wanting what I was promised?!?

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Specializes in ICU.

What does your contract say?

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Specializes in Oncology.

I think it's pretty typical during orientation to work a different shift due to your preceptor. I had to.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.
I think it's pretty typical during orientation to work a different shift due to your preceptor. I had to.

Yeah, but it looks like she's completely off of orientation. Right now I'm orienting to a new hospital and I'm on days (I'll be working nights) and whatever she works, I work. Not what I would have picked, but whatever, it's what I have to do.. but when I'm off orientation, I expect to be on nights!

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Specializes in Hospice, OB, Telemetry.

Yes but I am no longer on oreintation. I'm going into my second month on my own and I'm still not doing 3 12's.

Also, regarding my contract, when I first came in it was 3 12's on a slightly different shift (11-11). I never sigend anything when I went over to the other dept because it's basically all under OB/GYN. They're right next door to each other an under the same person. Lessons learned, I know...

Guess it may be time to start looking for something new. Shame because I like the floor a lot. I lub the babies! :-)

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

So she tells me a couple of days ago I would be on 3 12's. The schedule came out today and I'm NOT! I am still 1 12 and 3 8's even though I told her it is NOT a convenient schedule for me at all.

Did you ask her about this discrepancy? What did she say?

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Specializes in Hospice, OB, Telemetry.
Did you ask her about this discrepancy? What did she say?

No. Hopefully I will see her tomorrow but already on the paper it says NO CHANGES. I am sure she will tell me it couldn't work out right now.

But see that's the thing. I'm stressed NOW. I've got issues NOW I have to deal with. I'd go to part-time before I keep this up. There's a reason I said I want to work 3 12's.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Ask her tomorrow. Maybe it was just an oversight.

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Keep fighting for your three 12's.

Upon starting my last job, I was promised first chance on a day shift position once one opens. My NM was VERY passive aggressive. I was bounced from days to nights, even though my job description did not indicate I was "rotation". 2 months before leaving, a day shift position opened; no other night shifter wanted it. After expressing complete interest, I was told I'd "be night shift indefinately". My last schedule consisted of working 4 out of 5 shift types (7a-7p, 7p-7a, 11p-7a and 3p-11p) AND weekends.

So, the moral of this story.... Dont take "No" for an answer, you will get walked on, LOL! In addition, talk to your co-workers. Maybe someone is willing to switch a couple shifts with you??

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

You should place a formal request to your manager in writing with a copy to human resources. You should remind them of what you were promised and when you can expect that they will be able to accommodate you. Do you have a union? If so, you can file a grievance. If not, you can still file a grievance via HR. It is time for them to honor their promise to you. Did you get anything in writing from them stating what shift you were hired for? Remember, some hospitals have a clause in the employee handbook or union contract that says they can schedule people as needed depended on the needs of the unit.

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Specializes in Pediatric Heme/Onc/BMT.

Are you union?

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.
Yes but I am no longer on oreintation. I'm going into my second month on my own and I'm still not doing 3 12's.

Also, regarding my contract, when I first came in it was 3 12's on a slightly different shift (11-11). I never sigend anything when I went over to the other dept because it's basically all under OB/GYN. They're right next door to each other an under the same person. Lessons learned, I know...

Guess it may be time to start looking for something new. Shame because I like the floor a lot. I lub the babies! :-)

Sorry to hear of your scheduling difficulties. I've been through it myself. Was hired at one time for day shift with every other weekend of evenings. That was the weekend my children were at their fathers, did this for 2 years, we got a new nurse manager, and she put me on straight evenings. I explained that that is not what I was hired to do, that I couldn't work straight evenings as I was a single parent and I would never see my children. Her response "Do your have the agreement between you and the previous nurse manager in writing?" I said "No, but there is two years worth of time cards to prove my agreement" she said "Sorry, but I need you on evenings" So I left.

WELCOME TO NURSING!!!! Where you are beaten down by administration and coworkers at every chance possible. This is where "nurses eat the young" comes from.

I hope it's different for you.

Blessings to you.

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