When do you throw in the towel and call it a wrap?

[lilura]

Some Background: I work at a SNF with LTC residents. The geriatric population is my niche, and I'm good at what I do. I've always went above and beyond for my employer, residents, and coworkers. We've been having some staffing issues lately, and I've done my fair share of OT. I average between 96-115 hrs per biweekly pay period. I never complained, I show up with a positive attitude, and do what needs to be done.

Here's My Issue: I put a request in for vacation back in January. I've been at this facility for a year and half now. I've missed one day r/t a sinus infection. I was told a week ago that since my request falls on a weekend that I'm supposed to work, it is my job to find someone to cover that or my vacation won't be approved. My vacation is already paid for and I'll be leaving in a couple weeks with my family. I've asked coworkers and there's no one willing to swap weekends with such short notice. I wish I knew this sooner.

I've also spoke with management and told them that I do not mind working 12 hour shifts, as long as I had notice. I have four young children. I can't count how many times I've come to work and was told I'd be working till 7 pm instead of 3. I would then have to tell my husband that once he got home he would have to take care of homework, dinner, etc. They told me they'd start giving me notice. That lasted about two weeks, and it's happening again.

Lastly, yesterday was payday. My paycheck was not deposited in my account. It was the final straw. I lost my cool. Yesterday was a bad day, ended up working 14 hours with no lunch break, while training an orientee, and admitting a new rehab patient who had narcotic prescriptions that was signed by a PA with no DEA #. Her surgeon forgot to cosign the scripts.

And then there's today. I drove to my facility to speak with HR about my paycheck. HR had a write up for me to sign, because I had not picked up my two previous pay stubs in a timely manner. I explained how short staffed we were, and I did not have time to eat, much less wait in line at their office for 15 minutes. I signed the write up and was informed that my next three paychecks would be a check. If I pick up those three checks in a "timely manner", they would start direct deposit again. I was furious. I asked where in the employee handbook or policy does it state that and she responded, "It doesn't. But maybe you'll remember now". I argued that the punishment was one thing, but to not give me notice was unprofessional. I left her office and marched to the DON and administrators office, and they had all left for the day.

I am so upset. I'm contemplating not going back at all, no notice. I've been a great employee, worked the extra shifts, and took wonderful care of the residents with whom I've really bonded with. As it stands now, HR is worthless, my home life is less than par with shifts I'm not being notified about, and they won't approve my vacation that I requested 4 months ago. Am I overreacting? Should I put a notice in or quit or wait it out? I love taking care of my residents, but no one is taking care of me. This is my first job as a nurse and need some guidance. Thanks for listening!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

1. I would call into work on the days you will be vacationing. It is apparent that management and HR does not value you much, so do what you must. After all, the vacation is already paid for by you. Enjoy yourself.

2. After returning from vacation, submit a two-week notice of resignation.

Some people might morally object to calling in during your planned vacation because your coworkers will be shorthanded and the residents may be affected. However, you need to watch out for your own needs first.

You have already given more of yourself to this facility than I would have ever given. Take care of yourself. Never in a million years would I have gone above and beyond for some crappy employer who does not reciprocate.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I agree with TheCommuter. You've put your all into working at this facility and you owe them no loyalty. They've treated you like crap. I say take the vacation and let the chips fall where they may; in the meantime you'll want to look for other jobs, as asserting yourself will probably paint a big target on your back and they may look for an excuse to get rid of you. The unfortunate write-up has also started a paper trail, so leaving before things get worse is likely your best bet.

I wish you luck. Employers like yours don't deserve good staff.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I've been in the business for years and years. I used to feel I owed my facility. What I owe them is to do my best work for the time I'm in the building, or when I was the DON, all the time. However, these days, despite having sufficiently trained staff, we who have been exemplary employees for years are treated as if we were chess pieces or easily replaceable. I will from now on concentrate on me...sure, I'll give my all for my 8-12 hour shifts but will no longer volunteer to cover any and every open shift or come in on the weekends to 'help' the residents because the nurses that they hired on the cheap have no clue what they're doing. When facilities start treating us as valuable employees, I might revert to my old ways but, frankly, I don't see that happening.

[stlmo]

I have gone through a similar thing recently. I say take your vacation and also look for a new job.

I found a new job within a week and they offered me a decent amount more money.

[caliotter3]

You said this is your first job as a nurse. Best to not shoot yourself in the foot. Find a new job. Then give proper notice. I would not give this employer any longer than absolutely necessary. And as for your vacation, call in, but do not be surprised if that action does not result in the employer cutting ties with you, rather than the other way around. I hope that you can still enjoy yourself on your vacation.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

This place clearly doesn't care about you beyond being a means to fill extra shifts. I would say goodbye. Do it in the right way, though, because if this is your first nursing job, you will need a reference for your second.

[tmaca]

Don't quit without notice, it could bite you in the butt later in your career.

Actually, I think you ought to start looking for a new job. You might try to get prospective employers to agree not to call your current workplace unless they've really decided they want to hire you, pending that call. Or maybe your current employer finding out you're job hunting might get them to make some changes. Sounds kinda like they're short on people. You'd probably have a better read than anyone here as to how they'd likely react.

And by ther way, is your HR still in the dark ages? Why can't they just email your paystubs?

[twinsmom788]

I would go on vacation and enjoy. Life is too short. If your leave your job, all they can say is a mumbled reply for your reference. i have really not relied upon prior job references in the 100s of people I have hired. Have fun!

[tmaca]

Y'know, last job references, if the person is still working there, can be weird. I remember when I was working for the feds, and everything was civil service. A lot of the time budgets were nasty and you could have a hard time hiring a replacement immediately; the CPO used to like to delay things so they'd save some salary while the position stayed open. So all too often a supervisor would give at best a wishy-washy reference for an employee they didn't want to lose, but give a glowing one for some jerk they wanted to get rid of. So you really had to rely on your interviewing skills more than anything else.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You said you requested the vacation in January, but was it ever actually approved? Perhaps things are different in LTC, but it the ICU I would NEVER put down a deposit on a vacation without having had the time off approved in writing. Once it's approved in writing, if they change their minds there's a paper trail in your favor. Also, if you had your vacation approved before putting your money down, they cannot now say you need to find weekend coverage. And if they needed you to find your own weekend coverage, that should have been on the approval.

The not picking up paystubs so they won't direct deposit your check is ludicrous. I've never heard of such a thing! Clearly those who work in the office have NO idea what working at the bedside entails.

Just not going back to work is unprofessional -- but you knew that and hopefully the impuse to no call/no show has passed by now. Enjoy your vacation and be ready to start looking for a new job when you get back.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

The latest and greatest around here is: Pick up your pay stub or we will cancel your direct deposit and they actually do it. So petty.