When do you march up the chain of command?

[imintrouble]

First let me say, I am starting to see the writing on the wall. My place of employment, which I have loved for the last ten years, has become something else. New nurses. New CNAs. New owners. Huge turnover for various reasons. Promotions of individuals who should not have been pushed up the ladder, but it happened anyway. The fact that I have to ask the question in the first place means there's a problem that's not going anywhere for the short term.

There is a supervisor who handles scheduling, that always works on the same days as myself.

For the last 6-8 months there have been scheduling problems involving him with dept transfers and low census time off. It's always my turn. The loss of income and stress is starting to hurt.

We aren't union, and I understand that the facility can staff any way they want. Their show, their rules. Having said all that, there is a policy that the other supervisors adhere to. Just not this supervisor.

I have been to the floor manager numerous times with my complaints. She says she'll look into it. No, it's not fair, the supe is out of line, blah blah blah. I am pacified until it happens again.

And again. As I said, I'm starting to see the writing on the wall.

Do I now go to the CNE and complain? Then to the administrator? Then to HR?

Keep quiet, or just start looking for a new job?

Fifteen years ago I would have already been looking for a new job. At my age it's not going to be easy. To find work, or a comparable wage.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you do?

[JulieAnnB]

Its time to move on. You have out grown that place. The Universe is reflecting back to you all the information you need to know. I know this happened to me. They want younger, and I was getting older. Top dog, top seniority, top pay, etc. Eventually, they started a paper trail on the smallest of things. New management came in(yes younger) and they found ways to get rid of the ones who complained too much (and yes, legitimate complaints). There is a better place, trust the process and move on. It will not get better.

I had to face the fact, after 25 years, I no longer fit there.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

you keep referring to motives that may or may not even be real. Motives are not the issue. The issue is what to do about it. Look up policies and talk to HR.

[Jordan Sunshine]

It is very unfortunate how hard workers being treated today! I wish you the best, don't quit, fight hard deplomatically, and you will find the place that will take you for your experiences, talents, and great ideas. Best wishes

[caliotter3]

I agree with you that when one is at a certain age, one starts to accept baloney that wouldn't have flied ten or 15 years ago. All one has to do is to remember the last time they were unemployed. However, even with these cautions, I would start looking. After all, that handwriting is probably getting more clear every day that you hesitate.

[GradyGramNot]

At the last place I worked, this happened to me, as an older, more expensive nurse. But I fought back and finally was awarded (if you want to call it that) unemployment benefits. I will now be applying for SS, and will simply retire a few years early.

[Koiwopa]

You probably should look for another job but working conditions across the nursing profession seem to be getting steadily worse. With so much emphasis on efficiency and cost control, healthcare workers are being stretched and stressed to the max. Sooner or later healthcare workers are going to have to work together to get some control over their jobs. Going to HR doesn't help when the company is intent on cutting costs. They will do whatever they can to get rid of older, higher paid employees and understaff units to dangerous levels. Patients and healthcare workers are both suffering while the corporations are getting fat.

[GradyGramNot]

Like everything the government gets involved with , healthcare has become a business, and the bottom line is more important than anything else. So, I think applying for SS three years early is the best thing I can do for me. Maybe I will find something prn later, but I just don't have the inclination or the patience to put up with corporate BS anymore.

[Imarisk2]

I think you are extremely wise to be considering your options early in the game. Your radar has been activated for a reason. I believe strongly in the instinct we develop as nurses.... it carries through in all facets of our practices and our lives.

As I'm sure you know, Healthcare presents two faces: one of care and concern to potential consumers, benefactors, and regulators......the other is the cut throat business practices those in the ivory tower must live by in order to survive in this climate of bare bones revenue and torturously high prices for all things labeled "medically necessary". And staffing is the highest variable expense in nearly every budget.

Years ago I worked at a bank that was bought out by a bigger bank during an economic downturn, and the process of whipping in the new and wiping out the old sounds very much like your description. They didn't just replace expensive, loyal people, they streamlined operations and developed our beloved local community bank into a super-giant investment bank. My job was given to a computerized telephone center in Albany, New York one year after the merger. That's when my loooong journey into nursing began.

So...... keep your eyes and your options open. Try to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. And just in case management continues to see you as expendable despite your best efforts, think about ways to upgrade your education and/or your skills for bigger and better things.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Thanks to all for your responses. I have started looking for another job. Slowly. I have already put my complaints in writing, politely, and delivered them to the supe, floor manager, CNE, and HR. A paper trail to help protect me from being fired, if that is their intent. Who knows?