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?
(1) Maybe she doesn't have to work FT and chooses to devote her energies to raising her brood. That's not my personal lifestyle choice - but it's a perfectly valid one.
(2) It's really none of your business why she works. Maybe her family needs supplemental income with the flexibility of PRN scheduling. Maybe she needs play money. It doesn't really matter - she's meeting her obligations per your facility policy and her lifestyle choices are none of your concern.
Maybe she just wants to keep her license current so when her kids are older and she wants to work more she won't need a refresher course. We are lucky that in nursing we can work PRN. I actually advised my co-worker who had her 4th child to do just that. Work the minimum so you have options available down the road.
The is issue is with management as others have said.
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.
Depends, if they aren't granting any PTO due to short staffing it would be a management issue. Not sure which it is for the the OP. Trying to sort out the real info through all the OP comments of unwarranted jealousy and anger.
The beauty of PRN work is that for the most part you get to set your schedule. Why should another employee have to change their plans at the drop of a hat because another employee needs a day off? How is that fair? Also, any PRN I know does not receive benefits (health insurance, PTO, vacation etc) where as full time employees do. This is their "benefit" so to speak. As to why work in the first place? Some like the extra money, some Need some income but not as much as a full time position, or maybe they just want to keep up on their skills. If your facility needs more nurses that's understandable but that is not the PRN nurses fault.
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)
I had a friend who was PRN while she had very young children so that she could maintain her license and keep continuous employment for her resume. When the youngest was school aged she returned to work full time. But if you and the other full timers act like this, she might not return to full time with you guys and go somewhere else.
You have said yourself that you never really worked and that this is your first real job. So, if I were to use your logic, you were lazy and had TONS of free time when in college. But I am willing to bet that your decision to not work had to do with your priority being school, right? I worked full time for my first degree and played rugby and still maintained a good GPA. But you took a different path than I did. Good for you. It doesn't mean that you or I were any less dedicated to our studies...we just did things differently. Learn this and learn this now...just because it is something that YOU wouldn't do that doesn't make it a wrong choice. She is doing what is best for her life. And guess what...she could give a crap about what you need. She isn't your mother. YOUR needs do not come first for her. Her children do.
You said this is your first ever job correct? I don't mean this in a rude way, but maybe you should sit down with someone to explain how things work in the workforce because your concerns seem to come from more of a lack of understanding. In any job, nursing or non nursing, you have to submit PTO in advance before the schedule comes out. Otherwise people would be taking off any day they didn't feel like being there leaving the floor constantly short staffed.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
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)
I work with a couple of PRN Nurses and I have never thought of them as lazy! When they are on the unit they rock and get the job done. Why they only work PRN is none of my business. If I had my druthers and didn't need to work to pay my Tuition and have a bit of Pin money I would quit or go to PRN in a heartbeat. I generally don't take on extra shifts unless I know it's a nurse who would do the same for me because quite frankly I don't really need the extra cash and I enjoy spending time with my family and in my garden . I worked pretty much full time with lot's of extra shifts when my son was little and wish I hadn't as I literally missed most of his developmental milestones and got to hear about them from daycare staff.
Oh and it's not a question of being rich - it's a question of work /life balance.
Having children isn't an "excuse" to not pick up more shifts. That is so offensive it isn't funny. I guarantee you she knows you and your co-workers talk about her. People can usually pick up on that type of stuff. Ever hear of bad vibes? I worked with a girl who talked about me non-stop even to the point of speculating about what I did with my time off, at work, etc (like you are doing to her). I'm the type of co-worker who will help my colleagues and pick up slack. Not for this woman. If she needed anything above and beyond my job requirements, she got absolute squat from me. Why should I or anyone else for that matter want to go above and beyond for someone who talks about me behind my back? I wouldn't do squat to help you either especially since your attitude about her is that she's lazy and uses her kids as an "excuse" to not pick up a shift you don't want. I have a 15 month old. Having ONE young toddler is a lot of work. I cannot imagine having 3 more under 5. I also can't blame her for working PRN. Daycare is insanely expensive. It's probably not cost beneficial for her to work full time and have all of her kids in daycare. Or, maybe she wants to be home with them. There are many moms who want to be home with their kids. That is her prerogative and she doesn't owe anyone (including you) any explanation of her choice. The point is, you are being catty and immature and you need to stop. The staffing issues are your manager's problem, not this PRN employee's. You've gotten some sound advice and feedback on this thread. My advice is for you to do some self reflection. Maybe try being nice to this PRN employee and stop talking behind her back. I bet she'd be more willing to help you out then.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Depends, if they aren't granting any PTO due to short staffing it would be a management issue. Not sure which it is for the the OP. Trying to sort out the real info through all the OP comments of unwarranted jealousy and anger.
OP later posted that she never asked for off for the current request. Just assumed she'd be off the day after thanksgiving. Once the schedule is out she needs to swap or find coverage on her own, as is the same in most companies for requests post schedule request. She assumed the PRN nurse was there to cover her last minute requests and is resentful when the response is no, not available
You'd rather have her lie? She's right, she doesn't have to, it must be her arrangement with management. If she's a casual employee, fulfilling what it required of her, it's really tough beans what you think. You don't know her situation---I'm sure arranging daycare for 4 kids under the age of 5 is not easy, have you ever done it?
You're mad at the wrong people. Get angry at your hospital, not this casual nurse who won't "help you out".
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?
I work PRN because that was what was available when I was hired and I was in school at the time and valued the flexibility. I stay PRN because the working conditions are poor, and I only want to work the bare minimum to keep my skills current and resume marketable. I am fortunate in that my husband's salary, my savings, and some creative side gigs keep our budget afloat without full time pay. I also make a higher hourly rate as PRN (in lieu of benefits).
I like most of my coworkers and will usually cover shifts as requested for them, but from the sound of your comments, I completely understand why this woman isn't eager to do favors for you (even if she had the time to do so, which with four small kids? Not freaking likely). I guarantee she knows how you feel about her. And if you and your coworkers are nasty about this innocent person doing absolutely nothing wrong, I bet your ears would burn if you could hear the breakroom talk about you on your days off. Throwing a fit about not getting to go on a camping trip with your boyfriend on a holiday weekend you didn't even request off? I bet you've got a little reputation of your own that you don't know about. It sounds like a toxic work environment and like you're one of the sources of toxicity.
The fact that you can't even conceive of how someone could have a different life, goals, or needs than you speaks volumes to about your lack of empathy and maturity. Take a long hard look at the things you've said in this thread. Bad working conditions suck, but you are doing everything in your power to make a bad situation worse for you and your coworkers. Stop that.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
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)
I haven't read through all the quotes, but I think you're not getting it. Anyone who has 4 kids under age 5 is working more than full time. She keeps a prn job to maintain her license and skills. She may plan to increase her work hours when her kids are older, or is just keeping her license up as insurance against financial catastrophe. She is sacrificing benefits for flexibility. That is all her business.
It is not her job to make yours easier. It is your management's job to make yours doable. If they're "working on it" they need to work harder. You and your coworkers need to put the pressure on management, not bully someone whose lifestyle is different from yours. (Yes, if you all gripe to each other behind her back, she's feeling the hostility).
Your coworker is not your enemy and she doesn't owe you anything.
RNKPCE
1,170 Posts
Maybe she just wants to keep her license current so when her kids are older and she wants to work more she won't need a refresher course. We are lucky that in nursing we can work PRN. I actually advised my co-worker who had her 4th child to do just that. Work the minimum so you have options available down the road.
The is issue is with management as others have said.