I notice some students or others seem to think that because they've heard about a nursing shortage, that means that they will get a day position in their dream unit, and be welcomed with open arms as if they are the reserve troops come to save the day.
I don't think that's really the case. You still have to take the less desirable shifts, prove yourself, be accepted by your co-workers, and earn respect. Yes, there are toxic units, and those ones are probably more in need of extra help, so you might be more likely to get a job there.
If you are a newbie, you still have to 'pay your dues' in some way, that's usually the way life works in many arenas.
The "times have changed" comment wasn't directed at any one person. However, they have changed and if I had a dollar for every experienced nurse in my facility grumbling when newer nurses "get their way" ,I'd be rich.
I think the "paying your dues" phrase irks me because it's out of date. When I have seen this comment applied, it's usually directed against those of us who went right to area of our choice after school or who were able to get the hours we wanted. Times HAVE changed, although maybe not so fast in specific facilities or areas of the country.
I have a great work ethic, I know that I am still learning every day, and that I'm not 100% perfect. But, I still think the distribution of hours, holidays and call needs to be fair. I don't think a new grad should be working every single stinkin' holiday or not get a summer vacation because they're new. My last facility did this and they had a mass exodus of mostly younger nurses..they're left with those who will be retiring in 2 to 3 years. You had to see the people who were mad at me because I left after a year of being a nurse-no appreciation of the fact I had put in years as a tech or that I worked 32 hours a week and took call during school, so that my NS education wouldn't put them in a bind.
I didn't cry that I was "entitled". I simply gave my resignation and found a job in a larger facility where I'm learning more and making $ 6.50 more an hour. I'm not a whiner, I simply vote with my feet.
Again, I think a newbie not wanting to work any holidays is deluded. However, I don't think said newbie should have to work all the holidays or crappy shifts either.
Hmm....I worked nights for exactly 4 months on med-surg( 4 months orienting on days) and I ran as quickly as I could to another position that fit me better when I had the chance. The hospital where I was had plenty of folks who WANTED nights, but for some reason if you WANTED nights, weekends, days, you got the exact opposite.
My point is that I am willing to bet, especially in a large hospital, that you can find enough people who want specific shifts, AND all your shifts will be covered because thank God there are people who LOVE weekends, nights, holidays, etc. How hard would it be to take the time to find out what works best for your people and try to schedule based on that? Why can't hospitals give you specific days of the week to work instead of rotating the days around? Why can't you have a schedule that is longer than a month in advance? I don't understand why things are that way in the hospital setting. I wouldn't have minded as much if I had a set schedule where I knew I was on every thursday, friday and saturday, for example. It was the rotating crap that got really old. Did I pay my dues? Probably not. I got pretty dang lucky to be able to switch into a position that fit me, due in part to the fact I was a second career nurse who knew something about the work world and dealing with people; and I was/am more than willing to learn whatever I need to learn to get the job done well. Those 8 months in med-surg were valuable, and I am not sorry at all that I was there. But it was enough for me.
As to new nurses being managers.....wow. I was asked to become a manager with only 2 years of experience, and I quickly turned that down. Who on earth would think they have enough experience to walk directly into a management position???? And what kind of half-orificed company would even consider that???? Sheesh.
What is it that makes you think that seasoned nurses are jealous?
Please read my post thouroughly..I did not say all were. But....
When you've had more experienced nurses say to your face " you shouldn't have gotten the evening position..back in my day, I wasn't given a choice, blah, blah, blah" or "they're giving you the day off to go to your pinning? I didn't go to MY pinning" and other foolish things such as this, said in a snarky tone, you can only assume there is jealousy and/or resentment going on. But I did say that not all are like this. For every crusty, nasty, burntout "Nurse Ratched" I encountered there were a couple who realized that such backstabbing behavior only hurts the profession and they were true mentors.:)
And the resentment of me getting the evening position had nothing to do with me not being ready for it. I had almost a year of orienting on days, I can scrub which is needed on that shift, and I knew the preferences of the docs. It was because I expressed an interest in it..can't have someone actually be happy now, can they?
I quote 'Suffragettes carried out direct action such as chaining themselves to railings, setting fire to mailbox contents, smashing windows and on occasions setting off bombs. One suffragette, Emily Davison, died after she stepped out in front of the King's horse, Anmer, at the Epsom Derby of 1913. Many of her fellow suffragettes were imprisoned and went on hunger strikes, during which they were restrained and forcibly fed and had reached the height of their campaign by 1912.'
'In 1869, a group of women shoestitchers in Lynn, Massachusetts, organized the Daughters of St. Crispin, a national women's labor organization modeled on and supported by the Knights of St. Crispin, the national shoe workers union, which also went on record supporting equal pay for equal work. The Daughters of St. Crispin is recognized as the first national union of women.'
What a condescending view of women you have. Go back to your history books.
How did the other employees respond to this one? What happened to her? As a mom who also works night shift, I think I would be too shocked for words if someone said that to me...
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GadgetRN71, ASN, RN
1,841 Posts
The "times have changed" comment wasn't directed at any one person. However, they have changed and if I had a dollar for every experienced nurse in my facility grumbling when newer nurses "get their way" ,I'd be rich.
I think the "paying your dues" phrase irks me because it's out of date. When I have seen this comment applied, it's usually directed against those of us who went right to area of our choice after school or who were able to get the hours we wanted. Times HAVE changed, although maybe not so fast in specific facilities or areas of the country.
I have a great work ethic, I know that I am still learning every day, and that I'm not 100% perfect. But, I still think the distribution of hours, holidays and call needs to be fair. I don't think a new grad should be working every single stinkin' holiday or not get a summer vacation because they're new. My last facility did this and they had a mass exodus of mostly younger nurses..they're left with those who will be retiring in 2 to 3 years. You had to see the people who were mad at me because I left after a year of being a nurse-no appreciation of the fact I had put in years as a tech or that I worked 32 hours a week and took call during school, so that my NS education wouldn't put them in a bind.
I didn't cry that I was "entitled". I simply gave my resignation and found a job in a larger facility where I'm learning more and making $ 6.50 more an hour. I'm not a whiner, I simply vote with my feet.
Again, I think a newbie not wanting to work any holidays is deluded. However, I don't think said newbie should have to work all the holidays or crappy shifts either.