I work in healthcare, so needless to say, we are always short staffed and always hear the same BS, “We’re hiring, just haven’t found someone yet.” Well, I was asked to cover the front desk, again, after protesting multiple times as it is no longer my job title.
I handle ALL the radiology and biopsies for a high volume practice. By myself. And they have been forcing me to cover the front desk and ignore my real work, for months. At least once a week. This sets me back for days because I can’t do my job if there is a line of patients needing to check in. The other front desk girls actually complain to my boss that I don’t help them enough because I’m -get this- trying to do my job of scheduling biopsies. I got reprimanded by my boss. So, a few weeks ago, I stopped doing my job when I’m up front. Of course, now patients yell at me because their biopsies aren’t getting scheduled fast enough.
Anyway, I was told to cover the front, so I did. I politely asked for an extra hour off the desk to do my work. My boss said no. So I asked for just a few extra minutes. Again, she said no. She then looked me in the eye and deadass asked if I could just try to do all of my work for the day in the 1 hour we are alotted off the desk. Of course, I said no. So she then said I can just do my work while checking people in, which I laughed at because it’s impossible. I basically got the “make it work” speech. She also told me I can’t have my needed iron infusion done on the clock, even after head nurse approved it, therefore making me wait a full 24 hrs to get the infusion, despite my sat being at 9%. I was enraged.
An hour later, I decided screw this, I’m leaving. I told her I will be leaving and her response was, “oh no, why?” In the fakest voice. I explained I am a semester behind for a goddamn associates degree because they refuse to approve me for part time work, despite clinical staff getting time off for nursing school. She actually was acting shocked I had fallen behind at school. What a joke. She then offered for me to work the front part time and I laughed at her and said oh god no, I’m just going to find a job elsewhere.
I have nothing lined up and I don’t care!
$25/hr means nothing in this economy right now, and certainly not to be yelled at by dissatisfied patients, so I’m out. I’ve never been happier I am going to school for something unrelated to healthcare. Workers AND patients deserve better.
You see, the thing about not paying people well is that you force people to learn how to live on less. This gives some of us the opportunity to figure out how to be resourceful, if we are lucky enough to have a lil leftover after payday. I did just that and will now be using it to graduate on time by making up all my classes most likely while I work per diem for our affiliate, who is unionized. 🙂
That’s my story. Have a great night, dear workers.