Two weeks in, and I need a vacation!

schnookimz · Dec 25, 2014

Oooo no. That's too much. This isn't school. There is no homework. If they want you to do work, then it must be done at work and be paid in my opinion.

In fact, that's exactly what I said when my job tried to do this. And that's the last homework assignment we had!

iPink, BSN, RN · Dec 26, 2014

Four 12's in a row?? That's a lot. I did a GN Residency so there was classroom time but luckily my manager worked around those times so I wasn't overworked. I was on a busy critical care floor and didn't think I was going to survive. But I did and so will you. Hang in there and if you need more time don't hesitate to let your preceptor know.

You're doing homework this Christmas but think about those nurses who are actually working that day/night. I will be ringing in the New Year with my coworkers!

Sent via iPink's phone using allnurses

SoaringOwl · Dec 28, 2014

Four 12's in a row?? That's a lot. I did a GN Residency so there was classroom time but luckily my manager worked around those times so I wasn't overworked. I was on a busy critical care floor and didn't think I was going to survive. But I did and so will you. Hang in there and if you need more time don't hesitate to let your preceptor know.
You're doing homework this Christmas but think about those nurses who are actually working that day/night. I will be ringing in the New Year with my coworkers!
Sent via iPink's phone using allnurses

I'd rather be at work on Christmas, making time and a half, than a homework assignment that pays nothing. I'm thinking of jumping ship and going to another job I was offered. I really don't want to do homework and readings and online modules off the clock.

Oooo no. That's too much. This isn't school. There is no homework. If they want you to do work, then it must be done at work and be paid in my opinion.
In fact, that's exactly what I said when my job tried to do this. And that's the last homework assignment we had!

My thoughts exactly. I'm in a great hospital, and the nurses all get out of work on time and there's really not much else to complain about, but I'm not happy about the off-the-clock requirements. A paid classroom day is one thing, unpaid homework is quite another. I'm not getting CE credit for it, either.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 29, 2014

Actually, PP is correct... if the "homework" is required for your job training, then (per US Federal law) this 'paid' time. It is a violation of labor law to require you to do any mandatory training "off the clock". This is a very serious violation which exposes your employer to significant penalties and fines. You need to discuss this with your manager or educator. If they are not receptive, take this issue to HR.

The schedule you have outlined is just too much - leaving no time or energy for any learning activities. IMO, this situation is fraught with mixed messages.... pretty much guaranteed to cause problems with any new employee, particularly a new grad.

NightBloomCereus · Dec 30, 2014

The only way to get into my hospital as a new grad is to do a full time unpaid internship for 3 months. So I have been working three 12's a week under my license unpaid plus going to class, unpaid. It's legal because I'm an "intern."

What they're doing to new grads is horrible. But I'll still be employed before half my class finds a job, and I'll be one of the very few with a hospital job. I guess you just have to grin and bear it in this economy.

~Shrek~ · Dec 30, 2014

The only way to get into my hospital as a new grad is to do a full time unpaid internship for 3 months. So I have been working three 12's a week under my license unpaid plus going to class, unpaid. It's legal because I'm an "intern."
What they're doing to new grads is horrible. But I'll still be employed before half my class finds a job, and I'll be one of the very few with a hospital job. I guess you just have to grin and bear it in this economy.

I'd rather work for 3 months outside the hospital for a fair salary and fair treatment than work as an "intern" for no money. That is abuse!

NightBloomCereus · Dec 30, 2014

I'd rather work for 3 months outside the hospital for a fair salary and fair treatment than work as an "intern" for no money. That is abuse!

I know, I know. It stinks and it's so upsetting. I had a choice between taking a job I would not like that was not safe (a nursing home with up to 60 patients for 1 nurse on nights) not knowing if or when I would ever find something that I liked, or to stick out the unpaid internship for 3 months and end up with my dream job as my first job.

I love the floor and in a couple months I'm going to look forward to going to work every night. I figured that's what matters more in the long run.

I just wanted OP to know you're not the only one being treated unfairly as a new grad. It's bad for all of us right now. Even those of us who are actually able to find work have hurdles. If you like the work environment, it may be worth sticking it out because I know so many new grads who are miserable in jobs where they got hardly any orientation and have unsafe assignments.

Hang in there buddy :)

SoaringOwl · Jan 4, 2015

Actually, PP is correct... if the "homework" is required for your job training, then (per US Federal law) this 'paid' time. It is a violation of labor law to require you to do any mandatory training "off the clock". This is a very serious violation which exposes your employer to significant penalties and fines. You need to discuss this with your manager or educator. If they are not receptive, take this issue to HR.
The schedule you have outlined is just too much - leaving no time or energy for any learning activities. IMO, this situation is fraught with mixed messages.... pretty much guaranteed to cause problems with any new employee, particularly a new grad.

Thanks. That's what I thought. I've got my latest homework assignment sitting here, and it's due tomorrow. I feel like going to the hospital and clocking in, doing it, and clocking out. I wish I knew of some anonymous way to complain, because I'm in an at-will state and they can fire me at anytime. State labor board?

SoaringOwl · Jan 4, 2015

The only way to get into my hospital as a new grad is to do a full time unpaid internship for 3 months. So I have been working three 12's a week under my license unpaid plus going to class, unpaid. It's legal because I'm an "intern."
What they're doing to new grads is horrible. But I'll still be employed before half my class finds a job, and I'll be one of the very few with a hospital job. I guess you just have to grin and bear it in this economy.

That is so unreasonable. I can't believe it! Well, I mean I can believe it, but I don't want to. Just despicable! My hospital offers internships as well, but they're paid at the standard rate.

Red Kryptonite · Jan 4, 2015

When I had training to do from the hospital I worked at, they had me log in to their system from home, and it recorded my time, and I got paid for it. I don't understand why employers would risk illegal work requirements when so many have lost lawsuits in the last couple decades for exactly this kind of thing. Where is their legal department, who should be warning them? Ridiculous.

SoaringOwl · Jan 5, 2015

So I talked to me educator about it this morning. She said we were provided time during orientation to do the training, which is true, so they're saying it's my fault for not getting them done. I had 42 modules to do in 4 hours. This is an unreasonable time frame, as the modules are lengthy. I got through maybe 10-15 of them. I didn't even mention the homework every week.

I'm so ****** off about this.