WDYT? Sticking up for myself or...

[bluemorningglory]

I am a CNA with over five years of hospital experience as a float. I have been on all floors except OB/PEDS. I currently work in an OR but am looking to change my hours and get back into a more clinical setting.

I applied for a position on OB (same facility) and was asked to shadow. I accepted and understood the reasoning. After all, I had never worked in labor and delivery. So I went over there. Unpaid. For two and a half hours. While I spent most of the time truly shadowing, I did help out here and there as requested.

It took several calls and emails (within professional limits, mind you) to find out I did not get the job. I was a little frustrated but, hey, that's life. So then the HR rep and I start talking about alternate ideas.

She mentions more interviews and shadowing. That is when I spoke up. In a nice way, I explained that as OB was a new area to me, I was happy to shadow unpaid. However, as an experienced hospital aide, I did not see the benefit of shadowing in areas with which I was already aware. After all, I am a current employee of the hospital with a history of excellent reviews and plenty of experience. I am not some brand new CNA who has never held a position.

I mean, let's say I spend 6 hours shadowing. You can't tell me that I will stand there, arms folded, and never help out. Of course I will. For free. And that doesn't sit right with me

What is the consensus?

[JMed18]

What happens if, while shadowing, you get hurt because you are asked to help lift a patient?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

What happens if, while shadowing, you get hurt because you are asked to help lift a patient?

You don't. That's why the suggestion to dress professionally not in scrubs when job shadowing is such a great idea.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I had to google 'WDYT'. I learn a new text-speak acronym every day.

As for the topic in question, at this point, I would personally feel like they're making me jump through too many hoops for it to be worth it. I don't have time in my life for all that shadowing. Especially considering you're already an employee of the facility. That HR lady needs to make a decision or get off the pot already.

[emmy27]

Personally, I'd jump at the opportunity to shadow on a unit before possibly accepting a job there- not only does it give you an extra chance to shine (because the person you're shadowing is absolutely reporting back on their perceptions of you to the manager) in a setting where you're probably more relaxed than sitting in an office interviewing (because who isn't more comfortable on the floor than in an office talking to management?) but it also gives you the opportunity to see how the unit really functions and ask some questions. Although you aren't likely to get honest negative answers from anyone the manager would choose to shadow, you can tell a lot from what people do and don't say anyway.

The suggestion to dress in business attire is great. Also bring a notebook and prepare some questions- make sure they're positive, open-ended, and well thought-out, and pay attention to the responses and ask good follow-ups. If you give the person you're shadowing a chance to talk about themselves, they'll like you, it's human nature.

Being asked to shadow is a good sign, it means they're seriously considering you. Take the opportunity to get a good gut check of the feel of the unit. Think about it- isn't a couple of hours worth it to know whether you're taking a job at a great unit or a dysfunctional one?

[TriciaJ, RN]

I'm completely against working unpaid time, and "shadowing" sounds like a pretext. Unless you make it clear you will be showing up in civvies and will not lift a finger. Even so, like you said, these unpaid shadowing hours are starting to burn up a lot of your time. Excellent point about whether you are covered by Workers' Comp if you are injured while "helping out".

No, I don't think you should suck it up. Time to have a Come-to-Jesus meeting with the HR rep.

[TheGooch]

I don't think you're wrong. You might be shadowing but if you're expected to help out in any way then you should be paid for your time IMO.

[SleeepyRN]

So what happens if you are "shadowing" and injure yourself (while "helping out") and you are not on the clock?

Exactly. This is a liability issue on both your end and the patient's. Shadowing should NOT be hands on in any way shape or form.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

What was the HR rep's reply? Are you expected to shadow in your search, or not?

If that is part of their hiring process , you have no choice if you want a job there. Wearing business casual is a good way to take control of the shadowing experience, but you may be REQUIRED to wear scrubs.

HR calls the shots, not the job seeker.

[tsm007]

Here's my thoughts. I think shadowing is not just about you learning what they do there. I think they are using shadowing to see if you are a good fit for their unit. A try before they by approach for BOTH parties. It's also a good chance for you to see how you feel about the unit, to see the culture on the unit, and see if you feel it is a good fit for you. I think you're attitude towards job shadowing may knock down any chances towards transferring elsewhere.

[Libby1987]

I understand the reasoning behind dressing in business attire but if I were the patient in some situations I'd be very uncomfortable with someone seemingly from the office observing all levels of my care.

I agree with Jules and roser re wanting the opportunity to observe the culture before accepting a position. It's easy enough to impress them, but I'd want to know beforehand if they were as dysfunctional as some can be and you can only determine that from a shadowing experience. Even helping out would tell me a great deal ie oh you're one of THOSE kind of nurses/CNA's and mgmt lets you get away with it..

[canigraduate]

I think you should twist your perspective a little. I love to shadow, because it gives me a chance to see how dysfunctional the unit may be. It's up to you whether you help or not. I, personally, don't, except for fetching. I just ask a ton of questions of the people I run across about the unit culture, how management treats the people, whether they feel safe taking their concerns to management, how much turnover they have, etc.

Think of it as your chance to interview the unit and decide whether they're worth your time.

[emmy27]

I think you should twist your perspective a little. I love to shadow, because it gives me a chance to see how dysfunctional the unit may be. It's up to you whether you help or not. I, personally, don't, except for fetching. I just ask a ton of questions of the people I run across about the unit culture, how management treats the people, whether they feel safe taking their concerns to management, how much turnover they have, etc.

Think of it as your chance to interview the unit and decide whether they're worth your time.

Yes, this. Think of how many hours of your life you spend at your job and what a huge impact on your future employment a job has, be it good or bad. Don't think of it as working for free, think of it as wisely investing two hours of your time in potentially avoiding a bad work situation.