Three Ring Circus

Ok, I know I said I resigned but I just couldn’t help myself and went and did orientation for a closer hospital. Just for casual work. I thought it could be good, choice, not having to let the team down if I had to take time out for the kids. Perfect… NOT! For a start. The hospital’s idea of casual staff is forcing them to work. If you refuse three shifts, you are cut from the list! Is that choice, I ask you?

I had an interview of sorts at the end of May and was all geared up to go to orientation in July. Weeks went by and I didn’t hear anything, didn’t get any paperwork, nothing. So I assumed that it was not going to happen. I didn’t mind anyway because it was the first week of school holidays and Ivy and Noah were sick. On the Friday before, I received a phone call to ask if my paper work had arrived and to confirm I would be going to three days of orientation. When I replied in the negative, I got a very cold reception, so I back pedalled, called in Mum’s help and said that I would go for the first two days but that I couldn’t go on the Wednesday due to a paed appointment. Good, the DNM said, fine, be there at 8am.

No problems. I turn up at the time I was told only to be informed that nobody would be there until 8:30! Ok, NOT a good start. I finally get in to find I am not on the list and that I can’t do the first part because I don’t have a pay number! Because I don’t have a pay number, I can’t get paid either. Come back at 11am.

The educator rings down to the DNM (divisional nurse manager) who tells me to go to the ward to do some clinical practice. So I do and although I am a little shaken by this disorganisation, I have a good time on the ward. The DNM says she will come and see me sometime that day or the next. Good.

So the next day passes and I don’t see anyone from maternity at all. In fact, as a group, we hardly see anyone, people don’t show up, people turn up late, having forgotten, people come in other people’s place without knowing what they are supposed to be talking about. By the end of day two I am so bored and fed up I am glad to be going home. I assume that I will hear from the manager sometime soon, so I can get started. Still no paper work has arrived and so I have completed orientation on a volunteer basis (and from an insurance point of view - illegally).

The second week of the school holidays flies by and I hear nothing. Good thing I went in July and didn’t wait until August, hey?

On the Friday my paperwork arrives.

On the Monday (the first day back to school for the big kids and a pupil free day for Mal) I get a phone call…

Where are you? she asks

I beg your pardon, I ask the voice on the end of the phone.

Where are you - you are supposed to be here, you are rostered on today, Tuesday and Wednesday for morning shift.

Sorry, I say, it would have been nice if someone told ME that.

So can you come in? she asks, getting annoyed with me already.

No, I reply. I told you at the interview that I could only do nights and weekend work. Besides that, I have the babies and a developmentally delayed child here. Also, I only just received my paperwork so I am not on your payroll yet. I’m not working if I am not even employed by the hospital. (That is just wrong on so many levels)

So, you can only do nights?

Yes

So, can you come in tonight?

 AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Now that I have refused three shifts, does that mean I have been taken off the casual pool list?

I was supposed to call in yesterday with my availabilities however, I am sure I told her several times, nights and weekend work only. So I left it. I’m not sure now that I want to work for this hospital.

Just now I got a phone call. I knew it was them so I didn’t pick up.

The message went something like this;

Hello, it’s……. I am just ringing to see where you’ve got your wires crossed and when we can get you in to do some shifts. Oh and we need your banking details so that we can pay you!!!!!!!!!!!

What do I do?

What a monumental stuff up.