Hello everyone! I used to post here last year when I was graduating nursing school but cant remember my screen name. You all helped me so much, I was hoping for some advice once again.
I work at a small hospital that only staffs around 10 RN's. We all bust our behinds working extra shifts due to being short staffed. Here is where my issue is. We have two as needed nurses who work to fill in holes in the schedule, but we are still short.
We have one as needed nurse however who isn't willing to work any shifts for anyone and it really irks me. I am work my three days but if I ever need a day off, she never agrees to cover, like ever. She works only a few times a month. She has 4 kids under 5 years old I think and she's always using that as an excuse not to work. It really puts all the rest of us in a bind when she refuses to cover.
I don't even know why my boss keeps her around honestly, you can tell she doesn't like being there even when she has a scheduled shift. We (all us full timers) talk about it all the time. What good is having as needed employees if they aren't pulling their weight when we're short? I do not get it. Its not fair, I want to be able not to work but unfortunately I have bills to pay. I asked her once why she doesn't pick up more shifts and she just said "because I don't have to", which is really rude in my opinion.
Another thing, she gives the boss the days SHE wants to work and the boss schedules us around that. She doesn't pick up weekends or holidays ever so I am really dreading my December schedule since the other as needed nurse is leaving in a few weeks.
I really want to bring it up with my boss. I don't think its fair at all, I just don't know how to approach the subject with her. Any thoughts? Would you tolerate this from a coworker?
Try looking at it this way-she is covering that one day a week that you and one of your full time coworkers have off, so that you can work only 3 12 hour shifts a week with no mandatory overtime. Learn to plan ahead and ask off early and let your family and friends know that they need to plan ahead too so you can make it to important events. Do favors for your coworkers when they need time off and you can help them out, and they will return in kind. Don't be the one pouting and complaining that they can't get time off; if you and your cronies are sitting around complaining about other nurses it's no wonder you're short staffed. No one wants to work in that environment!
I could never afford to stay home with my children but if I had 4 under 5 I sure would have until they got older. Trust me, there's nothing lazy about a mom staying home to take care of that many little kids. She's working alot more hours than you are.
I didn't mean to come off with such an attitude. I was really hoping that maybe someone had an idea about how to address this with my boss. We (my coworkers and I) all would like the situation to change, and I really just thought her working a few more shifts a month would make a huge difference. We can get PTO off but have to get it approved before the schedule comes out. Its after the schedule comes out that we have to find our own coverage, which is near to impossible.
The reason I didn't ask for the day off in advance is that Friday is my normal day off. I have probably worked maybe 5 Fridays since I was hired. I fully thought I would not be scheduled. My boyfriend and his family go camping that weekend every year and I just really wanted it to become a tradition for us as a couple.
I know that family is important to everyone and having a bunch of kids is hard work. I shouldn't have said lazy, what I meant by that was I cant even fathom the amount of free time someone who works a few days a month would have. Working an extra shift once in a while is no big deal to me I guess.
I haven't worked before getting my RN. I graduated high school, went to college and went to work right away. Maybe I am just not used to people being able to come and go as they please in regards to work.
And I guess I DID have the wrong idea of her position. It lists her as "as needed" or casual so I assumed that meant her job included being available when she was needed to cover holes in the schedule.
Lol, and your coworker likely can't recall what having "free time" feels like.
I do feel for you. Hopefully mgmt can hire more per diems. Do they offer incentives to per diems for working less desirable days, like holidays? Maybe that is an option. of course, that costs money, as does training new per diem nurses.
either way, I think you need to reevaluate how you perceive your coworker. At the moment, you are voicing a great deal of negativity towards her, as well as a lack of respect for her. She is neither lazy nor does she have boatloads of free time. Treat her with respect, tell her how grateful you are, when she does take shifts, even if they are not for you. As a per diem, I would feel more inclined to help if I could, If I was walking into an environment where I felt supported and appreciated.
Ok she has four children five years and under. If she doesn't need to work then more power to her. That's her business! The PRN nurses are not your beck-n-call people. (I had four children five and under at one time, and wish like anything I could have had the schedule that she has but it doesn't work that way for me and I'm ok with it).
It is up to management to hire more people to fill in the spots. If it continues to be a problem, its more of a culture problem than a problem with one particular nurse and I would suggest finding a new hospital to work where the culture is different.
Purple Daisy- Thank you for the suggestion. I know that she has mentioned before that because she is not full time, she doesn't get time and a half for holidays, that its straight pay. And the as needed people get paid the same as a staff RN, no preferential pay(I always assumed the schedule itself was enough of a benefit). I think maybe if we went to my boss about the staffing and had feasible suggestions to offer at that time, it might help. Ill see if they will entertain the idea of offering them holiday pay.
I just wanted to clarify that I don't and haven't seen any of my friends treat her badly at work, or make her work environment toxic at all. I've asked her about the as needed gig many times just out of curiosity. She doesn't really click with anyone so when she works she mainly keeps to herself. I would never say anything bad about her or complain about her to her face. The only thing I can think of is asking her why she doesn't work often, and I really don't think that's an offensive question.
As you've pretty much gathered by now, PRN shifts aren't "as needed" as scheduling conflicts arise but in order to cover random days in the schedule, usually agreed upon ahead of time to some degree. PRN employees sacrifice benefits, continuity and guaranteed hours in order to retain a position that fits their needs outside of work.
You totally have the wrong idea of what her job is for, and you sound jealous that you have to work full time and she doesn't. That's the life she's chosen, you truly have no right to even comment on any reasons she doesn't pick your shifts up, never mind be annoyed with her about it.
As others have said, you need to take it up with your manager in terms of requesting time off or changing your schedule, you absolutely should NOT bring your co-worker up in the conversation. She isn't required to pick up extra shifts and she hasn't done anything to warrant it. If you need time off, request it ahead of time. If you can't work last minute, call in sick or suck it up.
Oh, and the "point" of working PRN is to make a little bit of money without having the hassle of work place drama or a set schedule/# of hrs/wk.
I think our requirement for the as needed people is 1 shift a month. I guess I don't see the point of having those employees if they wont work when they're actually needed (like to cover a shift for a full time employee). We have to get coverage in order to use PTO, or we have to call off. I don't think the "well I have little kids" is a good excuse in the professional world. We all have things in life that are important. And its not even that she CANT cover, she just doesn't WANT to.
I have to work the day after Thanksgiving and I asked her to cover, and she hasn't responded yet. I just know the answer will be no and no one else is able to do it. They have valid reasons, being out of town. I know she will be in town because she was getting recipes from another nurse and was talking about having a big dinner at her house.
You are getting far too involved into what this person does and does not do. The nurse is per diem and is only obligated to work 1 time a month. Otherwise, she is not obligated to work at all.
Sounds to me as if she was perhaps full or part time for a length of time, and decided to go per diem--hence why they ask her what shifts she wants to work before filling in the schedule. Even a per diem, seniority may be a factor.
And perhaps she is doing this as a "favor" as opposed to anything else. If she "doesn't need to" work, then she doesn't need to work. Plus--4 kids under 5 and the daycare would be obscene!!
But again, not your issue. You are reflecting jealousy and envy. And that is just not nice.
So, put in well ahead of time your PTO for days you would like off. It is up to your manager to approve PTO, and if it not being approved, then you may have to have discussion about it with either your union or other administration--it is not up to you to cover shifts, but it is when the schedule is posted.
You said there's 2 PRN nurses--what happened to the other one? Is that an option?
There are any number of nurses PRN or otherwise that on principle will not cover shifts that are lacking due to a facility not wanting to hire full time nurses, or even a pool of PRN's.
And professionals have kids and sometimes it can work, sometimes not. We ran short staffed on more than one occasion due to aging parents, and yes, even pet emergencies.
You can not change what you can't control. That is on your manager. However, I would be mindful to put time off requests in welllll ahead of time.
And that your co-worker will or will not be home, Thanksgiving plans, etc. borders on creepy, Not your business.
I didn't mean to come off with such an attitude. I was really hoping that maybe someone had an idea about how to address this with my boss. We (my coworkers and I) all would like the situation to change, and I really just thought her working a few more shifts a month would make a huge difference. We can get PTO off but have to get it approved before the schedule comes out. Its after the schedule comes out that we have to find our own coverage, which is near to impossible.
The reason I didn't ask for the day off in advance is that Friday is my normal day off. I have probably worked maybe 5 Fridays since I was hired. I fully thought I would not be scheduled. My boyfriend and his family go camping that weekend every year and I just really wanted it to become a tradition for us as a couple.
I know that family is important to everyone and having a bunch of kids is hard work. I shouldn't have said lazy, what I meant by that was I cant even fathom the amount of free time someone who works a few days a month would have. Working an extra shift once in a while is no big deal to me I guess.
I haven't worked before getting my RN. I graduated high school, went to college and went to work right away. Maybe I am just not used to people being able to come and go as they please in regards to work.
And I guess I DID have the wrong idea of her position. It lists her as "as needed" or casual so I assumed that meant her job included being available when she was needed to cover holes in the schedule.
How to address this with your boss is that you are clear in how you are to ask for time off. You put in a written request before the schedule comes out.
Which you did not do.
Your boyfriend, her kids.....it would be akin to me saying that you want the day off to lay around a campsite and vegetate. Would you not find that offensive?
You are a year into your career. I hate to use the back in the day scenario, however, the newer you were the poopier the shifts--every part of every holiday, etc.
And I would argue that many many people would say "what, you did not go to college and work even part time to support yourself through school? You did not work at all during high school for your own money?" I think you were very, very fortunate to be able to go through high school and college and not work. What did you do summers? Nothing? (
Here's the thing. I have worked since I was 14 years old. Made my own way. Worked full time while gong to school. My husband was awesome with the kids. I found that fortunate. If tomorrow we hit lotto then I would be fortunate that I didn't have to work--but may choose to for the intellectual stimulation.
Look at this realistically. You are asking for the day off to go camping. Is that anyone's business? The nurse in question works PRN because she can. Is that anyone's business?
How would you feel if your parent took an extra once a month job in order to pay off parent plus loans for your college education--in which you declined to work during college, and your Mom or Dad's coworkers were doing exactly what you are--pot stirring and starting stuff?
What if your co-workers started giving you a hard time about living at home, what your parents are paying, that you are being unrealistic and spoiled--and choose not to "bother" with you at work?
And again, this is all offensive, this is all speculation, but hopefully will put some perspective on your unrealistic expectations.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Asking your coworker why she doesn't pick up more shifts is absolutely offensive and absolutely none of your business. Complain to management that she won't cover your day after Thanksgiving that YOU did not request off to ensure time off for an dating girlfriend/boyfriend camping trip is not likely to get you any closer to getting the day off that YOU made an assumption and failed to request off. If nothing else it may have management scrutinizing your attendance, schedule, and late time off requests. You may find the management spotlight on you not your per diem coworker ( who IS completing time off/availability requests correctly and meeting the requirements of her job...you apparently have a lot of late schedule change requests)
Look at it this way assumptions, lack of preparation and forethought on YOUR part does not create an obligation or emergency on your coworkers part.
Maybe she "doesn't fit in"/socialize with you because she knows you think she's not doing enough for covering your last minute requests
Wow, it's really non of your business why she doesn't want to or doesn't need to work. She has a family and kids, that's a good enough "excuse" as you call it, and again it's none of your business. You are acting child like and immature.
You do sound jealous that she gets to work when she wants to and you are required to work your full time hrs. You have no children so you are naive about understanding how much work/dedication/planning life and daily schedules are with children. Even a simple trip to the grocery store or running an errand becomes a very lengthy ordeal with 4 little kids.
If my coworkers bugged me so much like you do her about not working, and I was "always" being talked about how you mentioned, I wouldn't want to cover for you or any of your coworkers. Why would I do you any favors, rearrange MY life and my children's life and my husbands life for that day, for your convenience? Make sense? Especially if it's obvious that you don't respect me.
Do NOT mention her to your manager with your coworkers, you guys will come off as making an attack, that's very immature and not professional.
You should however address the fact that scheduling is an issue and that's something your management needs to fix.
I am per diem at one of my jobs, and I get asked to come in for a shift almost daily, sometimes a couple times a week. I kindly decline when I can't work or don't want to work, and they kindly say thank you for replying. They do not ask me why how come?? And since they don't ask, I choose to usually give them my reason anyway of why I cannot cover that shift, but I am just being courteous.
Oh, I'm surprised your per diem staff get payed the same as you (you said they don't get any differential), and I am especially surprised that they don't get holiday pay like your full time employees! That's craziness. I definitely wouldn't sign up to work any holidays if I knew the coworker sitting next to me is making time and half for the same job! No way, not fair.
I hardly ever pick up extra shifts if I can avoid it, as I value my sanity. And having young kids, believe me, finding a sitter to watch that many, usually last minute? I would LOVE to be PRN and I would fill the bare minimum. You guys need more staff, and not to fill the holes with PRN. That's the thing about it, they can't commit to more... I hope it gets better for you!
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I asked her once why she doesn't pick up more shifts and she just said "because I don't have to", which is really rude in my opinion.
Why on earth is that rude? I'm sure I'm just repeating what others have already said, but you're WAAAY off base in your annoyance. She has done NOTHING for you to be annoyed about.
ttt4271
14 Posts
Try looking at it this way-she is covering that one day a week that you and one of your full time coworkers have off, so that you can work only 3 12 hour shifts a week with no mandatory overtime. Learn to plan ahead and ask off early and let your family and friends know that they need to plan ahead too so you can make it to important events. Do favors for your coworkers when they need time off and you can help them out, and they will return in kind. Don't be the one pouting and complaining that they can't get time off; if you and your cronies are sitting around complaining about other nurses it's no wonder you're short staffed. No one wants to work in that environment!
I could never afford to stay home with my children but if I had 4 under 5 I sure would have until they got older. Trust me, there's nothing lazy about a mom staying home to take care of that many little kids. She's working alot more hours than you are.