Call Schedule Fiasco
So, up until a few weeks ago, my new NP struggles were centered on time management, and the stress that unfortunately comes with being a NP that I am not yet accustomed to. Par for the course, I suppose.
Then, a curve ball. The practice manager handed out the new call schedule. Between me and my fellow colleagues, we each took a week of call on a rotating basis. Since there are four of us, this amounts to every 4th week, or about one week a month. This was a term laid out in my contract, which I had signed not even two months prior. Lo and behold, the physician who owns the clinic took himself out of the call schedule, without a word of warning or explanation.
I was inwardly outraged and aghast. How could he do this, so quietly, so sneakily? I felt taken advantage of and betrayed. This may sound melodramatic to some, but taking call every 3rd week as opposed to once a month is a serious change. Especially without any adjustment in salary.
And I was not the only one who was fuming. My physician assistant colleague, who had started working only a few weeks after me, had just been hired under the same call schedule terms. We felt as if he had gotten us in the door, and then as soon as we were up and running as providers, he made the old switcheroo. It was hard to believe that it was not premeditated.
We were upset, but did not want to be unprofessional. That night, I called my father. His first word of advice: calm down. He did not want me to do anything for about a day or so until I could have a rational and professional conversation without being angry. But I just was so annoyed and not ready for this kind of upheaval in my professional life. It was hard enough getting used to my new role, let alone having a less-than-forthright employer. It made me really sad.
HOWEVER, the lesson here is don't let your emotions get away from you, and don't think you can't express your needs to your employer and be heard.
The next day I had off, but my PA colleague sat down with the physician and expressed her concern about this change. And you know what? He listened to her. And he put himself back into the call schedule (at least for the next six months).
To back my colleague up, and to also express my own opinion, the day I returned to work I also sat down with my physician employer. I told him I was very thankful he had changed the call schedule back to its original format, and why. It made me realize that even if your employer does not take the initiative to communicate, you must. Or fester in angry silence.
So, if you ever find yourself in a similar position, take heed. Don't jump to conclusions! Assertive, professional communication does seem to work. We'll see what happens six months from now.