How do I handel this like a professional?

1 i'm a new grad and since august i have been working in a ltc facility, this is my first nursing job. i have found the staff very friendly and supportive, and the education department is very approachable and always wants to get my feed back about the job and help me develop my skills. i feel that i am very lucky to be working and i’m happy i have not encountered “nurses eating their young”.
the only draw back is that when i was hired i was told that i could only be hired for part-time, i could pick up hours, but i would not be eligible for benefits until i was scheduled for full-time hours, which they would try to get me as soon as possible. i need benefits, but at the time i need work more. i also suspect that they did not want to give me benefits right away because they have had many new grads in the past that take a job and leave as soon as a better offer comes along, i think they wanted to make sure i was not doing the same. when i had my interview they asked that i stay for one year of employment. i have every intention of staying for that year.
the problem that i’m having now is that for the past month and a half they constantly ask me to pick up 2 to 3 8 hour shifts a week, which gives me more than full-time hours; but i’m not scheduled for it so i don’t get benefits. i help out when i can and i have asked if they see a full time schedule being available soon, they usually say they’re trying but they have nothing yet.
the long and short of my question is should i keep picking up the hours if they say i can’t schedule me for full time, and if i don’t pick up the hours does it make me look like a bad employee? Last edit by KC,RN on Dec 21, '10 : Reason: spelling
Remind them that they said they would get you a full time position "as soon as possible", tell them you cannot continue to work full time hours unless you're getting benefits, and warn them that if it is not possible for them to offer you a benefitted position, then you will have no choice but to start looking for employment elsewhere. Then, if they still don't come through, start looking for a benefitted position elsewhere. Yes, you said you would stay at least a year, but they said they would try to get you benefits asap, and they're not doing it. Of course they'd prefer for you to keep working a full time schedule without benefits -- it's cheaper for them. If you keep doing it, there's no reason for them to change the status quo.Good luck!

see below

agreed. They are taking advantage of you. As long as you did not sign a contract I think you have the right of refusal and I also would be looking elsewhere. You will never get a raise from them either, in my opinion

In most large organizations they have an allotted number of "lines" in the budget, each of which is assigned to a particular person. So, if they have 20 FT "lines" or positions and all are filled they are unable to add another person because they don't have a free "line". Unfortunately, this puts you at the greatest disadvantage because of the lack of benefits and it gives them the greatest advantage because they don't have to pay benefits. Even though this is obvious to everyone, there may be nothing the managers of the facility can do about it. Unless someone resigns or retires you will probably not get a Full Time position there. The market is so tight there will always be someone to do what you are doing and that saves them alot of money. Here's what I recommend:Continue to pick up the additional shifts you would like and decline those you would not like. Your contract with them didn't include any requirements to pick up additional shifts...they just assume you want them for additional income. It cannot hurt any valid recommendations for future employment since you are not hired Full Time and it will not make you look like a bad employee. You also have a perfect reason for leaving after 1 year (congratulations on planning to keep your word, by the way) in that you need to find Full Time employment. Any future employer will understand this reason. If you do stay the entire year you are also showing future employers that you have good qualities as an employee, even in the face of some personally difficult circumstances. Definitely leave after one year if they don't have a Full Time position for you.

They are definately working the system. Remind them that they promised to try to give you benefits, that you have been more than willing to "do your fair share" and help out for the "team" but the lack of benefts is becomming more of a concern........especially since they seem to have plenty of hours available to work, that you may need to find full time employment to provide you with the security you need. Tell them you will continue to help out whenever possible and is convienient for your schedule on a strictly as need basis ONLY AFTER the schedule has been posted as final. Joint commision looks at schedules and staffing as a quality measure and if you are scheduled the shortage does not show as a shortage. Tell them how much you love working there but a benefitted position is your final goal. Be prepared tostar looking for a job........but if they are playing that game do you really want to stay long term? Good luck!

I agree with the others. Give them a chance to do the right thing. Work some extra shifts -- the ones that are convenient for you -- and always remind them (pleasantly) that you like working there and would like to stay there. However, also remind them (pleasantly) that your ability to stay is dependent on you getting a full time position with benefits in the near future.Also inquire about the possibility of getting pro-rated benefits (where you pay a portion and they pay a portion) as a part time employee.If they don't come up with a full time position, you have no obligation to stay. Be polite about it, but keep your eyes open for a full time position that will give you what you need. Don't tell them you are looking at other jobs until you hand in your resignation ... but don't be afraid to say that inorder for you to commit to them for the long term, you will need them to commit to you with a position that includes benefits. Give them repeated chances to step up to the plate and demonstrate an interest in keeping you.

those are great advises I also think you need to look elsevere but do not quit before you find something better.

I use to be an independent contractor in a different field and I purchased benefits for my wife and I and it was around 200$ a month... This included medical, dental, and vision. We are in our 20's pretty healthy. If you are picking up these extra shifts and making the extra money why not just buy insurance on your own?

$200 a month is a lot more than $100-$150/month through an employer. And if the OP has any health issues private insurance sky rockets.

True but at least you will have some insurance... even if you get one with a high deductible till the situation changes. If something happens and you don't have insurance spending that extra 50-100 a month won't seem like that big of a deal. At least until the situation changes or the OP finds another job that does provide benefits.

The way you should "handle" the situation is to talk to them and remind them of their verbal promise. They are taking advantage of you and they know it and they will continue to do so until you say something. This type of scenario is common in LTC.When dealling with management on these types of issues always take the business outlook and leave the emotions behind; just the facts please. The fact is as long as you keep accepting the extra shifts without saying something then they will keep on giving them to you.Be prepared that if you do say something they may give the shifts to another nurse then you won't be working that much but that's the risk you take. Good luck to you.

I've heard this complaint a lot in LTC facilities. They are using you for their own benefits, & will call you in and work u into the ground if they can. I won't do LTC work anymore - it's backbreaking and it's a nightmare having 65 patients to care for. If ur happy stay there, but you would be better off looking around in 2011 for a new, permanent position (as I am). Do the extra hours if you need the money, but if ur not getting benefits tell them ur not doing it. It's really ur choice.And they won't care about you if they needed to get rid of you, trust me, there is no loyalty from organisations now. Be smart and start looking into other permanent positions once u have enough experience. I would never, ever stay in LTC, had too many bad experiences, & the nurse managers are never around, RNs have to organise everything. I would say get out as soon as you can, they will just keep using u for their own needs and they won't stay sweet, trust me.