So frustrated with work (long)

JillRock96

I just had a good cry over my work situation.  I'm so frustrated right now, and I need to vent. 

I am finishing my Ed.S. in school psychology.  I was supposed to have my year-long internship this year in a school district, but I delayed it a year for obvious reasons.  For the time being, I am working part time for a private practice doing neuropsych testing.  I was told that they would have 30 hours for me (so, 4 days a week).  The problem is that if they can't find a patient to fill a time slot OR if someone cancels, I don't get paid.  My job is about 30 minutes from home without traffic, so I have to have my nanny get here about an hour before I am due at work.  Two days this week I have had a THREE HOUR stretch in the middle of my day where I have a cancellation or an empty slot in my schedule.  I'm pretty much paying my nanny to take care of my child while I sit and twiddle my thumbs -- and do not get paid.  Yesterday I actually drove home to relieve my nanny.  I was only home for about 90 minutes before my husband came home, I passed off Ava and ran out the door to get back to work for my last appointment of the day. 

I talked to the receptionists and explained the situation to see if they can try to reconfigure my appointments to get rid of these huge stretches of time.  They tried, but I ended up having ONE appointment today.  One appointment -- that will only take about 90 minutes.  For that 90 minutes, I will make $45 before taxes.  I will pay my nanny ($12/hour) to be here for three hours minimum -- so $36.  When you factor in taxes and gas, I am making NO money.  I called work and they can't reschedule this ONE damn appointment.

I am just so frustrated.  For one thing, I'm not getting the 30 hours a week they promised -- more like 20.  But I need to get closer to 30 to justify the cost of our nanny and pay our bills!  We now have another car payment because DH's truck bit the dust a few weeks ago, and we need my income.  I would quickly look for another job, but there is nothing available in this area, plus my poor nanny has configured her classes to my current schedule (she is a college student).  I don't think I have any solution except to continue working whenever I can and try to move appointments around whenever possible. 

Ugh, thanks for letting me vent.  I hate this.

MayDayGirl

Oh my gosh thattotally sucks!! I'm sorry!!

DavezWife

agghh - sounds rotten.

Have you tried looking for other gigs on Craig's List? I was OVERWELMED 2 weeks ago when I got/took the lay off, and as a nurse, was in a panic b/c there's a hiring freeze for most out there, right now. Within 3 hours I had 5 interviews scheduled, and in 2 days, had 2 job offers. One of which I JUST got the offer letter for and they went OVER my requested salary. WHO DOES THAT?

My AW point is that door closes, window opens. You just have to get out there and dig around for it. I was such a good fit for this new job, that they are moving things around to ACCOMODATE my schedule (daycare). I'm beyond thrilled, and I share this to say "yes! there is something better out there! go get it!" GL

::::hands Jilly a pillow to assist in venting process::::

lnle

that is sooo frustrating!! I'm so sorry. I'm a clinical psychologist and I understand the frustration of cancellations and not getting paid!! I hope you're able to figure out something. Can you do more recruiting for clients or something?

can I ask you a slightly related question? How long were you able to continue testing while you were pregnant? Did you eventually reach a point that you were too uncomfortable or needed too many bathroom breaks? I'm just trying to figure out how far in advance of my hypothetical due date I should stop doing testing and just focus on therapy (my bladder is used to the 50 minute hour!).

JillRock96

DavezWife:

agghh - sounds rotten.

Have you tried looking for other gigs on Craig's List? I was OVERWELMED 2 weeks ago when I got/took the lay off, and as a nurse, was in a panic b/c there's a hiring freeze for most out there, right now. Within 3 hours I had 5 interviews scheduled, and in 2 days, had 2 job offers. One of which I JUST got the offer letter for and they went OVER my requested salary. WHO DOES THAT?

My AW point is that door closes, window opens. You just have to get out there and dig around for it. I was such a good fit for this new job, that they are moving things around to ACCOMODATE my schedule (daycare). I'm beyond thrilled, and I share this to say "yes! there is something better out there! go get it!" GL

::::hands Jilly a pillow to assist in venting process::::

That's a great idea, Davez -- I haven't looked on Craigslist in a few months.    That's so awesome that you found such a perfect and accomodating job!

Mr.&MrsS

Wow, that is really frustrating! I am sorry you are going through this! I also second craigslist, there is a lot of stuff out there!! Good luck!

JillRock96

lnle:

that is sooo frustrating!! I'm so sorry. I'm a clinical psychologist and I understand the frustration of cancellations and not getting paid!! I hope you're able to figure out something. Can you do more recruiting for clients or something?

can I ask you a slightly related question? How long were you able to continue testing while you were pregnant? Did you eventually reach a point that you were too uncomfortable or needed too many bathroom breaks? I'm just trying to figure out how far in advance of my hypothetical due date I should stop doing testing and just focus on therapy (my bladder is used to the 50 minute hour!).

I was taken out of work at about 35 weeks (I think?) because of high bp, but I tested until then.  Halfway through (so, about 45 minutes to an hour) I would stop for a bathroom break.  The only part that was hard for me was reaching across the table constantly to do things like set up blocks or collect cards.  I ended up having the client sit around the corner from me instead of across -- it made it much easier!

lnle

JillRock96:

lnle:

that is sooo frustrating!! I'm so sorry. I'm a clinical psychologist and I understand the frustration of cancellations and not getting paid!! I hope you're able to figure out something. Can you do more recruiting for clients or something?

can I ask you a slightly related question? How long were you able to continue testing while you were pregnant? Did you eventually reach a point that you were too uncomfortable or needed too many bathroom breaks? I'm just trying to figure out how far in advance of my hypothetical due date I should stop doing testing and just focus on therapy (my bladder is used to the 50 minute hour!).

I was taken out of work at about 35 weeks (I think?) because of high bp, but I tested until then.  Halfway through (so, about 45 minutes to an hour) I would stop for a bathroom break.  The only part that was hard for me was reaching across the table constantly to do things like set up blocks or collect cards.  I ended up having the client sit around the corner from me instead of across -- it made it much easier!

thanks for the info! I hope you find a good solution soon!!

DavezWife

I've even see people post THEMSELVES on there - "great nurse available for evenings in west metro" kind of idea.

I also got the emails for many of the places I wanted to work for (or thought I might at 1st glance) and sent out a general email "announcing" I was available for hire. Literally put "great nurse up for grabs" in the title line, BCC a bunch, and sat back and waited. I got 3 nibbles off of about 2 dozen letters out, just in that way alone.

It takes some doing, but sure beats emtpy time slots !

lolalillie

I don't know how things work but could you possibly take over the scheduling of your appts? Does the Dr. need to see the patient too? I am SO sorry that you are going through this:( I hope it gets better soon though

FaithRocks

Oh Jill, I am so sorry. What a crappy situation. I'm sorry, I don't have any advice but I just wanted to give you some ::::hugs::::.