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Specializes in med surg, tele.

I've been working in the med-surg/tele/oncology resource float pool for the last two years and I love my job because it gives me the flexibility in scheduling and the variety that I need to maintain satisfaction. However being that we are in a pandemic and covid is taking over we have been very short staff. I frequently get requests from managers in other departments to help out with staffing shortages. I often tell them I can help out on certain days but I will need to obtain approval from my manager first before I can commit to any days. I then reach out to my manager to let them know what days I want to commit to after that. I recently got a email from my manager to not do that anymore and to reach out to them first before telling the other departments that I can commit to certain days even after telling them that I will need approval from my manager first before adding me. What do you think about this? 

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
8 minutes ago, redhead33 said:

 I often tell them I can help out on certain days but I will need to obtain approval from my manager first before I can commit to any days. I then reach out to my manager to let them know what days I want to commit to after that. I recently got a email from my manager to not do that anymore and to reach out to them first before telling the other departments that I can commit to certain days even after telling them that I will need approval from my manager first before adding me. What do you think of this?

I think I'm confused, redhead.

It sounds as though procedures are being followed, yet then there's communication that procedures need to be followed?

 

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Specializes in med surg, tele.
17 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

I think I'm confused, redhead.

It sounds as though procedures are being followed, yet then there's communication that procedures need to be followed?

 

One of the managers thought it was disrespectful that I went behind their back and asked to pick up a shift to help out with covid needs without talking to them first even though I told the other managers that I need to get approval from my manager first before picking up any extra days. do you think this was disrespectful? 

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Maybe your manager thought you asked the other units for more days and s/he was upset because they felt you should do extra days on your home unit. I would clarify with your manager that they came to you (not the other way around). Also, do you have set days or does your schedule change, if it changes and you have already (tentativly) agreed to work on the other unit if might interfere with your home managers schedule in trying to give your coworkers their requests. IDK.

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Specializes in med surg, tele.

I don't have a home unit im float nurse which means I get pulled to wherever I am needed the most. I don't ever try to pick up dates that will interfere with my set schedule. the hospital I work at is in big need for extra help and all I was trying to do was lend a hand. 

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Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

By 'home unit' I meant your manager/float unit. Your manager still schedules the nurses for float pool, right? So s/he probably wanted you to check with them first so you could cover others sick days, vacations etc first, before attempting to work on other units. It is more respectful to ask your manager first. Either way, in order to keep the peace, I would reach out to your manager and clarify that they came to you first. It doesnt sound like your manager is making a big deal out of it, just wanted to let you know their expectations.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
1 hour ago, redhead33 said:

One of the managers thought it was disrespectful that I went behind their back and asked to pick up a shift to help out with covid needs without talking to them first even though I told the other managers that I need to get approval from my manager first before picking up any extra days. do you think this was disrespectful? 

Thanks for the explanation and for giving the ball back to me, redhead.

Micromanagement isn't necessarily a form of disrespect, it's more of a power trip and says something along the lines of, "This is my ball and this is the way we're going to play with it!"

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Next time one of the other managers wants your help, have them text your manager.

I agree with the above suggestion to let your manager know that the other managers are reaching out to you frequently and that you were doing your best to pivot in order to support the team during the pandemic. Reassure him or her that in the future you will have those other managers contact him/her so that they can all be on the same page.

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

Maybe I'm just not as level headed, but I think I'd be a little ticked for being chastised for offering to pick up a shift, especially to work with Covid patients. Especially since you're being approached by managers of other floors to pick up shifts. Sometimes I think administration barks just to try to justify their existence. ?

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