I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years and for the last 14, have been in a supervisory position in some of the busiest, most acute hospitals in the country.

8 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 22,2024 at 4:44PM UTC

   I think for the next 6 weeks you take your time off and let everyone know when there are key nurses calling off due to workload issues.

   You need to take care of you first and foremost. You will not save this hospital and you might do serious damage to your health if you try.

2. Stephanie IngleJuly 22,2024 at 6:52PM UTC

   I agree speaking with management directly is a good first step. Be polite but firm and honest about the situation (not any individuals). And then look for another job. You’re a nurse! You are in one of the very highly employable careers and you are experienced. Anyone would love to have you come on board, I’m quite sure. Don’t feel badly about quitting. Employers never feel badly about letting people go and these employers don’t seem to care about their staff’s well being - or their patients. Remember, you are a super hot commodity! You deserve to work somewhere that feels rewarding and “right”. Good luck.

3. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 22,2024 at 9:25PM UTC

   It's a contract position - I'm not sure why you would continue to let them treat you this way. Call your agency and tell them Friday is your last day.

   Nurses with your background are in high demand - you don't need to take that crap from anyone.

4. Cindy GloverJuly 23,2024 at 1:51AM UTC

   I don’t have much advice with this one but I do want to say how much I appreciate all you do - you are an exceptional woman

5. maria roseJuly 24,2024 at 4:01PM UTC

   This is exactly the type of workplace environment that your agency ( the one who places you in the position ( should be made aware of when you contact then as you should have already to tell them that the position is not working out. You the Anonymous OP author of this post, should always be giving feedback on each of the assignments you are given to your agency, so they are AWARE of the workplace environment and will assign candidates who can blend in to do the work. You didn’t mention the locale but the attitude mentioned sounds like a cultural difference, more than anything else. And there’s a strong correlation of over tolerance to allowances in constant callouts by the hired nursing staff and no backups available and you with your stronger work ethic have been overwhelmed and overworked because you are left with all the duties and no coworkers. This is not an atmosphere that you can change as you are not hired to work there for a permanent position. The problem lies with this facility hiring practices and how the facility is run and supervised. Yes, you are a nursing supervisor but you can’t supervise the nurses for assignments if you don’t have nurses present. Through your agency, you should give your observations/evaluation of the poor organization and lack of remand of the constant callouts by the nursing staff and the staff/nurses poor attendance which is somehow not addressed—the facility may have a liberal allowance use of PTO but no regard for the need for staffing schedule coverage which from the description given by the OP which leaves major care staffing shortages—hence the long hours.worked. But the OP can only observe and suggest to the agency that this specific workplace needs should be be made aware to anyone assigned to work there. It may well be that facility doesn’t hire any permanent employees and runs the staffing care with all temporary staff who come and go constantly—hence the attitude towards any normalcy in scheduling and and showing up for shifts. The OP should check their work contract and see if they can leave earlier than the time agreed because they are not going to change anything in that facility which is more concerned with profit than care since they don’t have full permanent staff on schedule.

6. maria roseJuly 24,2024 at 4:08PM UTC

   Great advice but I am getting the impression that the “higher management “ are quite aware of the fact that their is occurring ( high callout causing understaffing on shifts) and are only looking at the cost savings side—use of PTO moves that cost out of the labor costs—and they are not concerned with issues with staffing unless they get complaints from the patients and we have no mention of the patients complaints. Trying to change this situation is not going to occur by this OP. Better off to leave and take a break from the pressure.

7. AnonymousJuly 28,2024 at 11:23AM UTC

   My concern would be if the environment is doing anything which may jebordize your license, if so, I would leave for that reason alone.

8. AnonymousJuly 28,2024 at 3:41PM UTC

   Buy some headphones, or use the approach that owners do when training dogs, walk away when someone speaks to you rudely, turn your back to them and walk away. If they chide you for that let them know that you do not respond to or listen to rude commentary and expect the same respect that they do when spoken to. End of story.