Switching shifts with other nurses

[susanmary]

Are you "allowed" to switch shifts amongst yourselves once your schedules are posted? Can you have someone add a few hours to their hours if you need a few hours off? Can you call in a per diem to work for you on occassion? The unit I am on has the policy that we are not allowed to switch shifts with other nurses unless the switch is "sanctioned" by our manager. We are not allowed to call in per diems or ask other nurses to add hours -- because another unit in our "cluster (a different floor)" might need them.

I'm feeling frustrated with the lack of flexibility/level of control exerted. Sometimes things COME UP -- and you need to have SOME flexibility. The only other option is to call in sick. How is where you work?

[TEXASWAG, MSN, RN]

I'M A TRAVEL NURSE, SO I REALLY DON'T LIKE TO CALL IN SICK BECAUSE I DO NOT GET SICK LEAVE. AT THE HOSPITAL I WORK AT NOW, WE ARE ALLOWED TO SWITCH SHIFTS EVEN W/REGULAR STAFF WITHOUT THE MANAGER'S PERMISSION. WE JUST OK IT W/THE CHARGE NURSE.

AT ANOTHER HOSPITAL I WORKED AT, IT DID NOT MATTER IF THE NURSE WAS PER DIEM OR TRAVELER. IF YOU GOT SOMEONE TO COVER YOUR SHIFT, THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERED. I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE VERY ACCOMADATING NURSE MANAGERS AND STAFF NURSES.

[NannaNurse]

Hi...Where I work, we have PTO (paid time off) We can trade shifts...we just have to let our Dir. know so they are aware of who's coming in. We also have PD and PRN nurses who come in when needed...we also might be pulled to work at one of our other facilities.....I work for SSM Rehab and I love it. They are very supportive and I'm finally at a job where I feel like I'm truly appreciated and respected!

[fedupnurse]

We are allowed to fnd coverage as long as the person covering us will not receive premium pay. SO we can find a per diem or part timer to pick up time. We just have to let them know so they are aware of who is coming in. We had to bargain for this right though. A few years ago we would go to the trouble of finding coverage and the managers said I need both of you. "Pick up the stinking phone like I did!"

Ah yes, another reason why people are leaving this profession in droves-we aren't allowed to have personal lives!!!

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

We switch shifts and use per diems to works for us all the time. There usually isn't a problem unless staffing looks really crappy for the day someone wants the per diem to work for them. They've turned it down a couple of times just because they want to keep the perdiem staff free for that day, in case THEY need them.

I myself am only a part timer, so I pick up lots of shifts for full timers. One time, myself and 2 other per diems covered an entire 2 week vacation for a full timer.

Heather

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

As long as the 2 nurses are of equal skill level (RN for RN, LPN for LPN) it was OK...IF the fill-in wouldn't be overtime or leave the floor with nothing but new graduates. I've stayed over a couple of hours many times when a nurse was delayed for whatever reason.