Tired of schedule changes

[orangelate]

The facility in which I work has set schedules. For the last four months, I find myself being moved from my unit to another unit to accommodate other nurses. "I'll come in but only if I can work the unit I want", and therefore, I get moved from my unit. I have talked to the scheduler multiple times, the ADON and the DON. I am told basically to deal with it or quit. I am moved without being asked or even told that I have been moved to another unit. I have been in the middle of getting report and had someone come in and inform me, "so and so said I could work this unit if I came in, so you can go take report on the other unit". I am at my wits end. I understand the reason for management doing this, but it is getting old. Management's point is to cover the schedule so they don't have to come in, I get that. But, you would think they would at least have the courtesy to ask or at least inform me when they decide to move me. I have worked in the facility for multiple years and am being moved for someone who has been there for a few months. I am sick of people demanding to work where and when they want. The nurse that keeps causing me to be moved threatens, "I'll stop picking up shifts if I don't get my way". Every time I take my concerns to my management team, they try to make me feel better by telling me, "you're such a strong nurse, and we knew you could handle it". Why do I feel like I am getting punished for being a strong nurse?

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I dunno, I think it's reasonable for a nurse who is doing the facility a favor, to make requests. Is it better to get floated or to work short? Personally I don't work extra a lot, but if I stay over I will ask to be taken off the schedule the next day... or I may ask for a new assignment at shift change if my original pt/family was exhausting. And in the hospital we get floated to other units all the time without being asked if it's ok.

I would look at it as this is what needs to happen for the pts to be cared for, and for the nurses not to work short.

[Sour Lemon]

The facility in which I work has set schedules. For the last four months, I find myself being moved from my unit to another unit to accommodate other nurses. "I'll come in but only if I can work the unit I want", and therefore, I get moved from my unit. I have talked to the scheduler multiple times, the ADON and the DON. I am told basically to deal with it or quit. I am moved without being asked or even told that I have been moved to another unit. I have been in the middle of getting report and had someone come in and inform me, "so and so said I could work this unit if I came in, so you can go take report on the other unit". I am at my wits end. I understand the reason for management doing this, but it is getting old. Management's point is to cover the schedule so they don't have to come in, I get that. But, you would think they would at least have the courtesy to ask or at least inform me when they decide to move me. I have worked in the facility for multiple years and am being moved for someone who has been there for a few months. I am sick of people demanding to work where and when they want. The nurse that keeps causing me to be moved threatens, "I'll stop picking up shifts if I don't get my way". Every time I take my concerns to my management team, they try to make me feel better by telling me, "you're such a strong nurse, and we knew you could handle it". Why do I feel like I am getting punished for being a strong nurse?

I've been on both sides of that coin. The person being asked to come in and work extra has the bargaining power. They're giving you the "strong nurse" line to flatter you (although it may be true). You're the nurse who was already scheduled. That's why you're being "punished".

[JKL33]

I am sick of people demanding to work where and when they want. The nurse that keeps causing me to be moved threatens, "I'll stop picking up shifts if I don't get my way".

Your frustration is misplaced. This person's bargaining isn't the root of the problem. After all, the whole situation would be non-existent if the units were fully hired/staffed and if usual staffing expectations didn't systematically call for being just barely appropriate enough to not be patently unsafe (i.e. no wiggle room), and if $$$ was offered when help is badly needed and others are expected to inconvenience themselves above and beyond their employment agreement.

There is no problem with bargaining in order to be able to do a favor (at least a tiny bit) on one's own terms.

Your employer basically told you to like it or leave. They are having trouble with staffing but that doesn't stop them from telling you to take a hike. You kinda have no business being upset at your coworker for any of this; it is within your employer's power to change it (and by that I don't mean refusing to bargain, I mean by improving the underlying situation). The way they have regarded your concern/frustration is a great example of why this situation exists.

[Kallie3006, ADN]

We use a float book and all share getting floated on my unit.

[turtlesRcool]

Do you pick up extra shifts? If so, are you denied the opportunity to pick your unit? Usually people who take on extra shifts have a bit of bargaining power; they give up their day off to help out, and in return they get some sort of preferential treatment (choice of unit, day off later in the week, etc.). It sucks for those who are there for their usual shifts, because I agree that people should usually get to work the unit for which they were hired. But I'd rather get bumped and have a safe assignment elsewhere than be short staffed because someone didn't come in.

If your place of employment is so chronically short staffed that you are bumped frequently because they rely on staff picking up in order to meet minimum staffing, then your issue is much bigger than who floats when.