Unfreaking Real!!!!

RN1982 · Jul 16, 2008

Yep, typical employer. They love when you help them out, but to get them to help you out is like twisting an arm.

kstec, LPN · Jul 16, 2008

I had to call yesterday to let my boss know that I would be late getting to work because my grandmother was actively passing. When I went up to the hospital before work I had no idea that she had deteriorated so bad since the day before. Her b/p was appx 60/30 and her sats were 80% on 10L. He then asked me well what time do you expect to be here then? I of course told him, well it's kind of on her watch not mine. I apologized for such a short notice call, but if they could find someone else to come in, to go ahead. This was at 1:00pm, I wasn't even scheduled until 2:00pm. Well grandma was still hold strong at 3:00pm, so I went into work. But prior to that I get a call from the day nurse reminding me that I was on the schedule, I told her that I knew and the situation. My boss neglected to tell her or anyone else. At 3:00pm, I walk into taking care of my normal amount of residents, and a brand new admission, with more skin issues, and health problems than you can imagine. And to also find out we there is not enough CNA's, so you know what that means, I'm super nurse, CNA, Admissions person, and of course thinking of my grandma. And I think every resident in the facility had sundowners, so in general my night was poo poo. So anyways, I get out of work at midnight, only because my grandmother has just passed. But I guess the big shocker was earlier when my boss asked when did I think I would be in as I'm watching my grandmother gasp for air. I should of told him that if I turn into God in the next two minutes that I'd let him know. And for all of you wondering why I even went into work is because 1) I didn't give sufficient notice, and 2) I'm still on my 90 day probation period, so I was kind of stuck. But I often wonder where is the empathy for the staff in healthcare, especially when we as healthcare professionals are expected to be the most empathetic and compassionate of all people. Double standards... Sorry for the long vent.........

Batman24 · Jul 16, 2008

It's terrible how nurses are treated when ill and/or facing the death of a family member. I'm shocked and saddened by the total lack of humanity and respect shown. It's disgusting.

Mara123RN · Jul 16, 2008

I think that is another reason for the Nursng shortage. Sorry that happened to you all. That's how it is. You have to stand your ground. Family comes first!!

catlynLPN · Jul 16, 2008

I had to call yesterday to let my boss know that I would be late getting to work because my grandmother was actively passing. When I went up to the hospital before work I had no idea that she had deteriorated so bad since the day before. Her b/p was appx 60/30 and her sats were 80% on 10L. He then asked me well what time do you expect to be here then? I of course told him, well it's kind of on her watch not mine. I apologized for such a short notice call, but if they could find someone else to come in, to go ahead. This was at 1:00pm, I wasn't even scheduled until 2:00pm. Well grandma was still hold strong at 3:00pm, so I went into work. But prior to that I get a call from the day nurse reminding me that I was on the schedule, I told her that I knew and the situation. My boss neglected to tell her or anyone else. At 3:00pm, I walk into taking care of my normal amount of residents, and a brand new admission, with more skin issues, and health problems than you can imagine. And to also find out we there is not enough CNA's, so you know what that means, I'm super nurse, CNA, Admissions person, and of course thinking of my grandma. And I think every resident in the facility had sundowners, so in general my night was poo poo. So anyways, I get out of work at midnight, only because my grandmother has just passed. But I guess the big shocker was earlier when my boss asked when did I think I would be in as I'm watching my grandmother gasp for air. I should of told him that if I turn into God in the next two minutes that I'd let him know. And for all of you wondering why I even went into work is because 1) I didn't give sufficient notice, and 2) I'm still on my 90 day probation period, so I was kind of stuck. But I often wonder where is the empathy for the staff in healthcare, especially when we as healthcare professionals are expected to be the most empathetic and compassionate of all people. Double standards... Sorry for the long vent.........

There is no empathy by some supervisors/managers, because if they HAD any empathy then that would mean they would have to help out a little bit and might have to actually do a little work once in a while.

They don't care about our dying grandparents, our sick kids, husbands or wives.

All they care about is whether they might have to pull a shift.

I know not all of them are like that, but I worked under one for 26 years and she was like that.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2008

ho! your attitude is misplaced. based on your post your boss acknowledged that you "didn't sound good and that she would replace me. that they needed to know earlier in the day if i wouldn't be in." that wasn't satisfying enough for you? what's wrong with them needing to know earlier than 3pm that they need to get someone for the 11pm to 7am shift? most places i worked had a policy that we had to call off before 3pm if we worked the night shift! keep in mind that if they do find someone, that person needs time to sleep before coming in. have you ever had to call around trying to find staff to replace people who have called off? not only is it time consuming, but the people who are getting these calls don't like being disturbed on their days off either. and, the night shift isn't exactly the easiest shift to replace. keep in mind that you yourself said you were someone who had been covering some of the holidays and sick calls for them. there is probably no one else left to call!

i've been in supervision and management and replacing calls off is a big part of that job. so what if she was "not kind"? i am not excusing her, but are you so perfect that you never get aggravated at work and it never shows in your voice? "not kind" would be if she said something like, "i don't care how sick you are, you need to get in here to work." that, i would be sympathetic with you about. since you promised a "doctor's ?" you had better produce one. i think that all you did was dig an unnecessary hole for yourself with your boss who may have been having a bad day that you probably made a lot worse by your behavior.

next time, don't waffle about whether or not you are able to work. and, if you want to stick it to your boss, hold your tongue and don't volunteer to work all these extra shifts which is probably why you got sick in the first place. why did you volunteer to work all the extra time? to help the boss? or to help your bank account?

mpccrn, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2008

supervisors are trying to cover a shift. while they may be empathetic to the circumstances, they still have to cover the shift. i understand that. it's all about the numbers. sick people need a certain number of hands to care for them, despite the circumstances of the hands expected to do that. i think this is the reason for the lack of empathy to us at the time. it's a rare person that can forget momentarily the pickle it puts them in and offer the hug the person so needs at the time. i'm EXTREMELY fortunate to have such a boss. she is a rare person......how unfortunate for the rest of you. in my previous place of employment and my grandfather died, (my mom didn't call me to tell me at work, waiting till i got home so as not to interfere or jepordize the patients under my care) i called in immediately and the supervisor told me grandfathers are only worth 1 day of bereavement leave. talk about unfeeling! i promptly replied.....perhaps YOUR grandfather was only worth 1 day to you, but i'll be off the next 3. my dad expects me there for the entire funeral process. GRRRRRRR

SDS_RN, RN · Jul 16, 2008

There is no empathy by some supervisors/managers, because if they HAD any empathy then that would mean they would have to help out a little bit and might have to actually do a little work once in a while.
They don't care about our dying grandparents, our sick kids, husbands or wives.
All they care about is whether they might have to pull a shift.
I know not all of them are like that, but I worked under one for 26 years and she was like that.

I work for one of those right now. :banghead:

Luv2BAnurse · Jul 16, 2008

the supervisor told me grandfathers are only worth 1 day of bereavement leave. talk about unfeeling! i promptly replied.....perhaps YOUR grandfather was only worth 1 day to you, but i'll be off the next 3.

Oh my!

RN1982 · Jul 16, 2008

At my job we're required to give four hours notice if we are not going to be able to come into work. If I'm off the day before a shift and am too sick to work I will call off on my day off that way they have time to cover my shift which they are pretty good about. My advice is to not him and haw about it. If you are going to call in, do it but not an hour before you are suppose to work. As far as bereavement time, I don't think we get enough time and I'm sorry is it just me or does it just seem a tad inappropriate to be basing bereavement time on the importance of a particular family member. Really 1 day for grandpa? I would need a week.

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Jul 16, 2008

sorry about your grandma :crying2:

one day the shoe will be on the other foot. they will reep what they have sewn.