Urgent advice needed! novice nurse

[Sabr, BSN, RN]

Hello all,

I find that this is a place where virtually any nursing concern can be discussed. I find myself in a dilemma where I have a sick parent and she needs me to take care of her. In addition, I will be getting married soon and have lots of planning and important decisions to make. As far as my mom's health is concerned, my younger sister has just resumed school and my other sister will not be home to assist in her care until three weeks from now. However, because this is around the time of my already approved vacation, I don't want it to look like I just want extra time off. However that is the least of my worries.

I work in a private hospital in NYC. Should I just inquire about and ask for a leave of absence effective right away and lasting for three weeks or just give them my resignation letter and find something else more convenient to my schedule? Since this is sort of an emergency situation, will it be professional if I make my resignation effective right away instead two weeks?

Please help me make the best decision for my career as a nurse. I really don't know what to do. But I need to leave my job and I must do it in the most professional manner possible.

FYI I have been working for 7 months now.

Thanks in advance

[pooh1258]

Wouldn't you qualify for FMLA? Might be better to look into it first instead of resigning.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/

[Sabr, BSN, RN]

Hello all,

I find that this is a place where virtually any nursing concern can be discussed. I find myself in a dilemma where I have a sick parent and she needs me to take care of her. In addition, I will be getting married soon and have lots of planning and important decisions to make. As far as my mom's health is concerned, my younger sister has just resumed school and my other sister will not be home to assist in her care until three weeks from now. However, because this is around the time of my already approved vacation, I don't want it to look like I just want extra time off. However that is the least of my worries.

I work in a private hospital in NYC. Should I just inquire about and ask for a leave of absence effective right away and lasting for three weeks or just give them my resignation letter and find something else more convenient to my schedule? Since this is sort of an emergency situation, will it be professional if I make my resignation effective right away instead two weeks?

Please help me make the best decision for my career as a nurse. I really don't know what to do. But I need to leave my job and I must do it in the most professional manner possible.

FYI I have been working for 7 months now.

Thanks in advance

So I would just fill out that form, give it to her physician and then bring it back to work and that's it? I really appreciate this input

[Jolie, BSN]

You probably don't qualify for FMLA.

To summarize, federal law allows for FML for employees with at least 1 yr. of service and a minimum of 1250 hours worked. Eligibility also depends upon the size of your employer. Small employers with less than 50 employees at the work site are excused from compliance.

You may need to sit down with your manager and/or HR and simply inquire as to how best to handle your situation. They may voluntarily extend FMLA to you, even though they are not legally required to do so. They may offer an employer-based LOA, or they may allow you to utillize your earned PTO to arrange for your mother's needs.

If at all possible, please do not leave without extending them the courtesy of full notice. It may leave you with the designation of "ineligible for re-hire", which can cause problems in your future job search.

Best of luck to you.

U.S. Department of Labor - Find It By Topic - Leave Benefits - FMLA

[itsnowornever, BSN, RN]

Does she have insurance? Can she pay for home health? Realistically you work 12 hour shifts and that equals 3-4 days a week right? Insurance should cover home health for that (not that I really know since I haven't done it, just asking)