What to do about schedule

[tatarn2b2007]

Hi. I am new to nursing. I will have 4 months experience next week. Here is my dilema. When I was interviewed for my position, the ANM told me after I asked about 3-12's that I would not get that out of orientation but would get 2-8's and 2-12's a week. At my 45 day eval, the other ANM told me that was false and I would have to work 5-8's/week for "a few months." Now I am understanding that it will be more like 6-12 months out of orientation that I will have to do that!!! It turns out, the ANM who told me that in my interview also lied to 2 other new nurses about the very same thing. I can't do this much longer. I just worked 11 night shifts with only one day off in the middle. I drive an hour to and from work and gas prices are rising. Do you think I should go to my manager(who's policy this is to have new nurses work 5-8's/week) and tell her the ANM lied to get me to work on the floor? Or should I go to HR? Or should I do what I am currently doing and looking for other places to work? Oh, and this is only the NM's policy. It is not a policy at the facility I am working. All my friends from orientation are working 3-12's or 2-8s and 2-12's/week. Thanks for the advice.

[bill4745, RN]

I'm not sure what action you should take, but I've had the same thing happen to me in the past. I now have a rule that everything about a position is put into writing before I will accept the job.

[RN1989]

You are in a tough spot. I would NOT accuse the ANM of lying. This will get you on their poopy list quickly and you will find yourself without a job. I would go to the manager and explain your situation. Emphasize that you drive a great distance which increases the time away from home to be able to rest and sleep, as well as being very expensive with gas. Stress that the schedule you have been given is exhausting and you believe that your patients are not well served when you are so tire.

And then wait and see what she says. Chances are - you are going to get told to like or or lump it. So I would definitely look for another position but DO NOT tell anyone you are looking, leaving, until you turn in your resignation. And don't threaten to leave because they will start making your life miserable if you do this. If you are leaving, you might turn in a complaint to HR so that they know that the managers are not all together on the same page and that their unit specific rules have caused you hardship.

[Ms Kylee]

>>>>

Oh yeah, they will... plus, they'll probably make up some stupid reason to get you fired. Have been there, had it happen.....

[kristen929]

While I know it stinks to not get the schedule you were promised, I think every new nurse has to deal with a lot of unfortunate things when they first start (the hardest patient assignements, the crappy lunch break, etc.). Sometimes you just have to suck it up and get through it the best that you can.

My first job was an hour away from my home too and I worked swing shift 5 days a week working every other weekend. It sucked, but I did it for a year and then got a job 15 minutes from my house. In the end it paid off.

If you can get another job with the days and hours you want, great, go for it. I agree though, don't tell ANYONE you're looking elsewhere until you accept.

[SakredStrega]

You are in a tough spot. I would NOT accuse the ANM of lying. This will get you on their poopy list quickly and you will find yourself without a job. I would go to the manager and explain your situation. Emphasize that you drive a great distance which increases the time away from home to be able to rest and sleep, as well as being very expensive with gas. Stress that the schedule you have been given is exhausting and you believe that your patients are not well served when you are so tire.

And then wait and see what she says. Chances are - you are going to get told to like or or lump it. So I would definitely look for another position but DO NOT tell anyone you are looking, leaving, until you turn in your resignation. And don't threaten to leave because they will start making your life miserable if you do this. If you are leaving, you might turn in a complaint to HR so that they know that the managers are not all together on the same page and that their unit specific rules have caused you hardship.

I think that's great advice.