Unreasonable?

[rachelgp]

Ok, I'm new to allnurses, but I need some advice. I am a new RN (graduated in February) and I am working in an ER. It's on the small side--only 12 beds. I was moved to night shift last month, and I'm having some problems. I'm used to working long hours because I was a Paramedic before I graduated nursing school, but this just seems ridiculous to me. My supervisor regularly schedules me 6 nights out of 7 (12-hour shifts). Starting next week, she has me scheduled for 8 nights out of 10! All 12-hour shifts, with no more than one night off in the middle of all this! It really doesn't add up to all that much overtime because of the way the pay periods land, but 8 out of 10 nights seems like alot. I went to my director and explained my concerns in a professional manner, and then the next thing I know, I find out that she's been calling people saying, "Can you cover her (my) shift, because she's (me) too tired and doesn't feel like working?" That's not what I told her at all! I don't guess it would be all that bad, except the place has been hell to work in lately! We stay pretty busy 24/7, but when we have patients that get admitted, there are either no rooms on the floor/ICU or not enough nurses on the floor/ICU. So, we get to keep them in the ER--sometimes for up to 32 hours (that's the longest I've seen so far). Frequently, we've been holding 10 admitted patients at a time (in a 12-bed ER!). Many times, we're holding ICU patients that are in the ER so long they get downgraded to a Tele bed before they get moved! So, we're holding admitted patients (sometimes 2 ICU holds each nurse) and still trying to move patients through the ER! Anyway, I guess I also needed to vent a little. I'm just wondering if I'm being a baby (is this normal) or if there is a true problem here?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

There is a true problem. This is way too much OT! I would return to the manager and reiterate your concerns about the schedule. How are you not working 3 nights in a row then having 4 off? That is the usual schedule.

[bill4745, RN]

Your schedule is totally unreasonable. You are not a 'baby' at all. The safety of your patients and your safety driving home in the morning are at risk.

[rachelgp]

I have 4 off sometimes. I honestly don't have a "regular" schedule. It is different every week, without much of a pattern. A couple of times lately, I've had 3 on, one off, 3 more on and then 4 off. That's still working 6 nights out of 7, which pretty much kills me.

[nightmare, RN]

I have worked with carers who have ,through choice ,worked 7-8 11 hour nights together and believe me they are exhausted by the end of the eighth! Given your extra responsibilities as an RN it would be unsafe both for you and your patients to work such a schedule! You will burnout very quickly leaving them without an RN at all.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

It's not a good schedule but I don't believe she's doing it out of nastiness. The same thing happens to me, on days and 8 hour shifts, because my scheduler simply doesn't have the nurses. The same thing happens - I go to her or the DON and they find someone to "float" into the day in the middle I then get off.

And you deserve 3 off here and there.

And my OT falls the same way - over 80 hours PER PAY PERIOD. Bite me.

[SueBee RN-BSN]

This manager is abusive, and she/he is trying to tell how far they can push you. Look for another job-

[Altra, BSN, RN]

There is a true problem. This is way too much OT! I would return to the manager and reiterate your concerns about the schedule. How are you not working 3 nights in a row then having 4 off? That is the usual schedule.

Agree. This is not reasonable. There are 2 people in my ER who work steady nights and work 6 or 7 12-hour night shifts in a row, but are then off for 6-7 days. They have chosen this schedule voluntarily because they have spouses with similar schedules.

No way would I work what you are describing. It wouldn't last long anyway - I'd kill myself or someone else.