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?
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I could totally understand the concept if she had another full time job! You seem like you pull your weight and then some. Maybe my gripe is just with people who seem lazy-ish, and also management for dragging their feet.
If I am completely honest however, it seems like some people just do not want to work and for the life of me I just don't understand it and I guess its a pet peeve of mine.
Any PRN nurses- Why work in the first place if you only do a few days a month? Why not just stay home? I guess if I was rich enough to afford to work here and there, I wouldn't really see the point of it. (no snark intended, genuinely curious)
Are you for real? Seriously? This is one of the most ridiculous posts I have read here in a long time.
Any PRN nurses- Why work in the first place if you only do a few days a month? Why not just stay home? I guess if I was rich enough to afford to work here and there, I wouldn't really see the point of it. (no snark intended, genuinely curious)
Well I think the root of your anger is that YOU are working FT and not happy about it. That is a life decision you need to make, based on what YOUR life circumstances are.
Don't bash her because she is in a place that you are not. You really have no idea what she has done in her previous work life.
I work FT and do perdiem. My life. My choice. I WILL NOT work nights. If that becomes a condition of employment, then I will make a a decision. Probably to quit. But I have put my time in, in y earlier nursing life.
Don't be judging my life based on YOUR unhappiness.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
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.
Nope, you just gossip and complain about her behind her back.
And I do get what you guys are saying though, I know my boss needs to hire more nurses. They've been "working on it" for a year now.
No, your boss is not working on it. And never will. It's just a lie to placate you and other staff. Your anger should be directed at the poor management in your hospital and not at your coworker who wants some semblance of control.
I don't understand how you think management has a scheduling/staffing problem that needs fixed. It would be one thing if you had to find coverage for ALL PTO you request. But thats not the case here. You are responsible for finding your own coverage after the schedule comes out...seems in line with every job I've ever worked in my life. That's how scheduling works.
She signed a contract when she was hired that dictated how many shifts per pay period she would work. That is between her, HR, and your manager. She is not obligated to work extra than required or pick up shifts. Neither are you.
Ideally, your manager would be hiring another part time or PRN RN if you are constantly short staffed. That's your managers job/responsibility. It is NOT the obligation of staff to pick up shifts when understaffed. Proper staffing in the first place is essential.
I know people hate when "kids" are "an excuse" but drop the attitude and get real. Kids are a legitimate excuse. Daycare is expensive and sitters are unreliable at times, not to mention the difficulty of finding one you trust. I do not have kids but I understand it is not easy scheduling a job around several young children. Family (in my opinion) comes first and I would not ever want someone else to be apologetic for making that a priority.
I read this whole thread, and the OP's added information.
I finally understand the phrase "I. Just. Can't. Even".
You need to back off. This is not your business. It's beyond offensive, out of line, and rude for you to even fathom approaching your manager about this. You do not need to be making "suggestions" for holiday pay or for changing a PRN employees job description. Are you a new nurse?? Anyone with a lick of sense would back off ASAP. You are instigating drama and conflict, spreading negativity and gossip. It sounds like you are creating a catty toxic work environment. This is all so misdirected. Your MANAGER has a staffing problem (HER problem) that you are projecting onto your coworker.
No wonder she doesn't pick up extra shifts. I guarantee you that although you have never "seen anyone treat her badly" that she knows exactly what you feel and think and knows she is targeted. People are not idiots. Also, gossip is not private. What you say eventually gets known and it will bite you hard.
You need to self reflect and realize where your true resentment is coming from. You are projecting a lot of misplaced feelings here.
Why don't the full and part time employees switch shifts with each other to cover if needed? It seems like that would make more sense. It sounds like you all have the same problem, which is occasionally needing to change an already scheduled day.
Nope, you just gossip and complain about her behind her back.
I read the OPs post also and thought the same as the above.
If you don't think people can feel dislike and contempt without words, you've led a very sheltered privileged life.
I would keep to myself too if I had to work with people who considered me lazy for not working THEIR shifts.
I think way back in my past I might have felt obligated to fill holes because I didn't want my coworkers to work short staffed. Because I liked my coworkers, and they did the same for me.
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.
Here's a thought; your coworker is fed up with YOU. There is so much anger, resentment and plain old fashioned sour grapes radiating from your comments, I'm not surprised she doesn't offer to help out more.
The definition of "PRN" has been explained to you, as have the facts that a hostile work environment is being created for that one employee and she is not there to make your life easier when you neglect to plan in advance (I believe someone said basically "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on her part").
You say she doesn't really click with anyone. If I were fortunate enough to be able to work PRN, I wouldn't click with co-workers either if all they did was question why I was working PRN and why I didn't jump at the chance to make things more convenient for them.
You don't complain about her to her face? You don't have to; you talk about her enough behind her back that she has to be getting vibes about how you feel.
Frankly, you're lucky she stays and puts up with the entitlement attitude that seems to be permeating your unit. As long as she's adhering to the requirements of her PRN position, she doesn't owe you a thing.
klone, MSN, RN
14,857 Posts
Are you for real? Seriously? This is one of the most ridiculous posts I have read here in a long time.