Thoughts on Covering Own Shift

[J.Adderton]

I work on a rehabilitation unit and most nursing staff have fixed schedules. My co-worker "Beth" is very dependable and has been charge nurse for several years. Beth had been experiencing eye discomfort and eye doctor discovered benign growths on both eyes. Surgery was recommended and scheduled for the next week. Beth called our assistant director and informed of scheduled surgery. She was told that since we schedule 6 weeks in advance, she would need to find someone to cover her shifts. I have enjoyed working on my unit, but this puts a bad taste in my mouth. In a case like this, shouldn't the unit managers make an effort to find coverage? This makes me feel less valued- we cannot predict life 6 weeks in advance. Are you required to cover your own shift if situation beyond your control? Would love to hear rationale from someone working in management.

[Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN]

This same thing was standard in my previous workplace (not nursing), and I hated it too. I didn't mind if I was *requesting* personal time off, but there was one time I had to call off because of a serious family emergency (child rushed to ER, very serious situation, ended up in hospital for 10 days), and they expected me to call around finding a replacement. I was livid - I wanted (and needed) to be with my kiddo - not sitting in the waiting room trying to locate a replacement; at that moment in time, I didn't give a flying **** about work.

[LadysSolo]

I can understand if you want the time off to go to a party or concert, but unexpected surgery is not a good time, and not always easy to schedule, the surgeon and OR have to be available. Management should step up and handle it.

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

I work in a Union environment and don't even tell people why I'm calling off as per our collectively bargaining agreement. The notion of "covering my own shift" honestly seems stupid. How is a sick person or somebody supposed to do this. This is a management problem that I would let them manage

[djh123]

A night CNA at my workplace had a son in another town 2 hours away who was severely beaten and was airlifted to a trauma hospital about 50 miles away, and he said when he called in that night they gave him crap about not coming in.

Is that beyond unbelievable, or what?

[TriciaJ, RN]

Ridiculous. How do employers get away with this?

Because we let them.

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

That's exactly right Tricia it is because we let them & as long as we do they will capitalize on that weakness

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

My thoughts on the matter violate AN's TOS.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

A night CNA at my workplace had a son in another town 2 hours away who was severely beaten and was airlifted to a trauma hospital about 50 miles away, and he said when he called in that night they gave him crap about not coming in.

Is that beyond unbelievable, or what?

That borders on sociopathic.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Because we let them.

Exactly.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

A night CNA at my workplace had a son in another town 2 hours away who was severely beaten and was airlifted to a trauma hospital about 50 miles away, and he said when he called in that night they gave him crap about not coming in.

Is that beyond unbelievable, or what?

I was asked to drive about 400 miles in "couple of hours" once because "we needed some help". I nicely let "them" know that Ferrari 488 GTB is my life dream and a gently used one will do, as long as "they" let cops know that there I came so that I could enjoy my ride.

[SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN]

I had this happen at a PRN job but I had norovirus. I called 12 hours before my start time to let them know and the DON said I needed to find a replacement. I told her sure, in between vomiting and this explosive diahhrea (excuse the visual). I didn't call for a replacement and never went back. This was in LTC though, I've not yet had this happen in a hospital.

I don't think any other career field practices this type of sick coverage.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I had this happen at a PRN job but I had norovirus. I called 12 hours before my start time to let them know and the DON said I needed to find a replacement. I told her sure, in between vomiting and this explosive diahhrea (excuse the visual). I didn't call for a replacement and never went back. This was in LTC though, I've not yet had this happen in a hospital.

I don't think any other career field practices this type of sick coverage.

Find your own replacement or what? Did they really want you showing up with noro? Really?