Published Nov 6, 2012
etxn
8 Posts
I've been a CNA since this summer and working in home health while I get ready for nursing school. I seem to be having trouble with the office manager and am thinking of turning in my 2 weeks. I live in a small town and I don't want to burn bridges but I'm pretty stressed over this.
The biggest issue is she keeps scheduling me for shifts I can't work. She basically ignores my availability sheet from hire. I brought it up with her and she just said well get there as soon as you can. There have been several times that shes changed my schedule without posting it and then I'm left scrambling. I'm new to this field so don't know if she just doesn't like me or if this is common behavior?
rivershark2005
91 Posts
I'm going to look at this from a different perspective than some people because I have worked as a scheduling manager before. Not in the medical field, but still.
There is a chance that your hours of availability don't meet any particular pt's needs. Therefor, to give you enough hours, she is having to at least schedule you outside of your availability. I had this happen at my previous supervisory job. I had a guy that wasn't "available" until 9am, even though work started at 7. He knew this, but he "had things to do" every morning. So, he was routinely two hours late, which ended up costing me money because I couldn't count on him to be there. After a couple of months of this, I told him that if he wanted to keep his job, he would be there at 7. He didn't show up on time and was replaced.
There is a slight chance, as there always is, that this person just doesn't like you. Or there is a chance that this person is so unhappy with their life that they punish people that work under them. These theories cannot be discounted. However, unless you have done something to deserve such treatment, it is unlikely that this is what's happening. Just saying. Not everyone is out to get you. However, if you feel this is what is happening and you can show proof of it, you can go over their head with it.
duskyjewel
1,335 Posts
If her availability didn't meet their needs, then why did they hire her in the first place? She filled out an availability sheet and they are ignoring it. That's dirty pool. Why have her fill it out if they will just ignore it?
WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN
544 Posts
In my experience in home health, if you can't work then you don't work. Home health is entirely per diem and I don't understand how it can be full time or part time or how they can possibly mandate to you how much you will work when you haven't agreed to it. If she is scheduling you for shifts you cannot work then I think you need to speak with your clinical director or regional manager (depends on size of facility). I would just put my foot down and say, "I can't work this I can't make it you need to find another CNA for this shift." Is this the only agency in your area? They're treating you unfairly and honestly I don't blame you for wanting to quit. I've dealt with similar issues in home health, but usually if I tell the scheduler that I can't work, they will rarely put me on for that shift. If this issue isn't resolved with the office manager, I don't see that you have any other choice but to quit as nursing school should take precedence over your CNA job. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this and I understand you frustration.
Thanks everyone for the feedback, yes I'm frustrated! :| There are a few HHAs here but this one advertises as being willing to work around school schedules and the others say they want open availability. It is a small agency that is just the office manager and a nurse as far as I can tell. I got scheduled during school again today and when I said something about it they said it was because they were shortstaffed. I would miss my clients, but grrrrr!
nguyency77, CNA
527 Posts
My former scheduler was exactly like this. She was friendly, and very supportive of my education. However, she was extremely disorganized. I would write down my class schedule before the start of every term; I usually scheduled my classes for M-TR so that I could work Fridays thru Sundays. Then I would somehow end up scheduled for a random Tuesday afternoon.