During the last two years I altered my work status so that my schedule is mostly self generated. It is complicated but after 30 years of working every other weekend, plus some strange hours, I decided that I would make myself less integral to how my department is run. It doesn't mean that I don't work. I have gotten myself to a monthly and weekly manipulation of the schedule where I can turn down or request off for work and work when I feel like it. It's preemptive as I never call in sick or miss a day when I am on the schedule.
Of course this is a luxury and doesn't always work out in my favor. I have recently been bumped from a weekday evening that I prefer on a regular basis by a friend and co-worker who says that she can only work on that particular evening, and needs the money because she is getting divorced. I can't say I'm pleased with my co-worker's manipulations, but I'm working around them.
Over the years we've been pared down to a barebones staff. If someone calls in sick or needs a day off, it can impact the way the clinical day is organized. As a result of these frequent deficits, I have agreed to present at work to accommodate some different roles. I am recently starring as a daytime RN and receiving my regular salary for my appearances.
The RNs and the NPs have totally different roles which rarely overlap. Without going into the specifics, I don't think I would enjoy the role of an RN in our practice. Still, I went in today, after working in my regular role yesterday and sat down at a designated RN desk and plowed through their tasks. I was supposed to be working with another RN but there was an emergency trip to Indiana and that was that.
The message here is that if you have good relationships with your co-workers, they can help you to adapt to new tasks and responsibilities. I had lots of assistance and words of advice which I took in solemnly. It's good to not stand above chores which are not in your job description because by knowing them, you make yourself more valuable. Our Chief of Pediatrics greeted me today with, "We thank you so much for being there for us, and for being so flexible in your job."
Of course, Barry tried to lock me into a set schedule again but I smiled and refused politely.
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