Working Weeknds

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2017

It's not selfish, but it didn't occur to you immediately that two jobs, both of which require every other weekend, means you would be working every weekend? If I was the manager and you sprung that on me I would think that you never intended to keep the agreement. The implications for your schedule with your two jobs is that obvious.

Crush · Nov 23, 2017

I must agree with the above. If you agreed to work every other weekend at 2 jobs then yes, you should expect that you will be working every weekend. Kinda expected with taking 2 jobs though. I don't think it is being selfish but you must have known when taking the 2nd job that this was going to happen. ( not trying to be snarky )

cleback · Nov 23, 2017

Maybe you thought you'd be available but not asked to work every weekend? Just trying to understand. How many weekend shifts are required?

MJ48 · Nov 24, 2017

Yes that is what I thought. I had thought that I just had to be available and not be schedule to work. And in reply to the comment above I guess it had not sunk in that I would be working every weekend until I had it all planned out. I did state in my email that I am willing to work some weekends just that I dont' think I can do every other.

MunoRN, RN · Nov 24, 2017

In order to have weekend coverage, which is a basic expectation of care for those in an LTC, every full time employee has to cover every other weekend, so I'm not sure how you got the impression that there was any chance you wouldn't be responsible for every-other-weekend coverage. Basic math should have made that obvious.

MJ48 · Nov 24, 2017

Basic math aside. I know that I am suppose to work every other weekend for my LTC job. What I wasnt expecting is that I would be working every other weekend for my home care job as well. She had discussed me being available not actually scheduled to work. Again, it hadnt really sunk in that I would be working every weekend until I had my availability planned out.

JKL33 · Nov 24, 2017

There's no need to feel guilty about the fact that you can't work every weekend, but you'll have to accept that they may not wish to continue your employment under those terms. You can offer them a different schedule or let them know what your availability is, but that may not be the help that they need. Tell them of your misunderstanding re: "available" and make your alternative offer. Try to part on good terms.

Although there are benefits to working less-than-full-time positions, is there a particular reason you wouldn't seek one full-time position - especially if the part-time ones are also going to require every other weekend?

Purple_roses · Nov 24, 2017

But if you don't end up working the weekends you agreed to, your team will be short-staffed and those nurses will have to work more than every other weekend, and they'll get burned out too. That's how (IMO) this might be a little selfish. I do not think it's selfish to dislike working every weekend and even try to avoid it, but I think it might be a *tad* bit selfish to expect to have a job with weekend requirements that everyone else but you is having to meet. But I also understand your frustration, and I understand that you need to do what's best for YOU in the long run. Hopefully next time you'll just look over those terms a bit more carefully.

MJ48 · Nov 24, 2017

Thank you. This was the support and advice I was looking for. I did have my meeting today. Unfortunately we did part ways but on good terms. I did offer them my availability but it was not what they needed. The manager was very understanding stating that I had to do what was best for me and said that if things change that I could always come back, which was very nice on her part. She also did state that she would have to be more clearer in the future in regards to being available means you are committed. I am just glad that we parted on good terms and that the door is open for me to come back.

In regards to the full time, they were not looking for anyone for full time. If I was offered full time I would have gladly accepted it.

MJ48 · Nov 24, 2017

There's no need to feel guilty about the fact that you can't work every weekend, but you'll have to accept that they may not wish to continue your employment under those terms. You can offer them a different schedule or let them know what your availability is, but that may not be the help that they need. Tell them of your misunderstanding re: "available" and make your alternative offer. Try to part on good terms.
Although there are benefits to working less-than-full-time positions, is there a particular reason you wouldn't seek one full-time position - especially if the part-time ones are also going to require every other weekend?

Thank you. This was the support and advice I was looking for. I did have my meeting today. Unfortunately we did part ways but on good terms. I did offer them my availability but it was not what they needed. The manager was very understanding stating that I had to do what was best for me and said that if things change that I could always come back, which was very nice on her part. She also did state that she would have to be more clearer in the future in regards to being available means you are committed. I am just glad that we parted on good terms and that the door is open for me to come back.

In regards to the full time, they were not looking for anyone for full time. If I was offered full time I would have gladly accepted it.

Crush · Nov 24, 2017

Glad things worked out for you.