Leaving early to save practice money

RE: Leaving early to save practice money

PolkaDotty — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 13:34:50 GMT

Thanks all for your input, I really appreciate it. Working as sole charge I never have anyone to bounce these thoughts off so this is great.

I currently try to help save the practice money where possible, ordering the cheapest consumables, keeping stock to a bare minimum, chasing up debts religiously and trying to get work in to the practice, I even turn off all lights and electrical equipment when not is use, hoping every little bit helps. I completely appreciate with a new business that it would take a few years for us to starting turning a true profit and I really want to help the business to grow, it's a fantastic practice but the hours thing is my biggest bug bear.

When I accepted the position I did state that the hours offered would be the lowest I could financially afford due to being on my own and owning my own house and I would struggle if they dropped further (I'm contracted to 3.5 days per week). My contract doesn't state exact hours only that I work Wednesday to Friday 8am to 7pm with one unpaid lunch break and Saturday mornings 9am - 1pm, I questioned this at the time and checked the gov.uk website which stated it could either be denoted exact hours or shifts. They haven't stipulated whether it would be a short or long term solution asking me to leave early but it's been slowly going on over the last two months and I feel sick when I hand my timesheet in, wondering whether they are going to take time away from me (not happened thus far thankfully).

Thanks for all your advice, I'll have to dig my contract out and have a look if the short time issue is mentioned (I don't believe it is but best to check) and in the meantime maybe having a scout about to see what's out there isn't a bad idea. I occasionally do the odd locum shift when available but they've been a little thin on the ground of late.

Thanks again all :)

RE: Leaving early to save practice money

Dreamcatcher — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 20:33:25 GMT

This is an unfortunate situation as I do have a lot of sympathy for new businesses trying to get themselves on their feet but I don't think this should instantly be at the compromise of their staff... us nurses already stretch ourselves as it is in all sorts of ways!

Did they say it's just short term?

At the end of the day, if you can't afford your bills etc then you simply won't be able to stay there, so as others have said I would be trying to work with them to find other ways of saving money or boosting the income somehow. If you can't make it work then you may well have to leave... you shouldn't have to put yourself in financial difficulty for a job.

RE: Leaving early to save practice money

Sal the 1st — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 19:44:37 GMT

that is a really good suggestion - finding ways they can save money without hitting your pocket or finding ways to generate more income for the practice. Thing is that 600p/a is probably a drop in the ocean in the scheme of the things but the difference between keeping you and having to look for another nurse (if they can get one) - maybe point out nicely that placing an ad to fill the vacancy will probably cost them a whole lot more than they will be saving because advertising for staff can cost an arm and a leg if they aren't careful and still no guarantee of getting what they want

have you tried working it out like this? the half hour you are losing everyday what does it equate to a flea treatment? a wormer or maybe a wormer and a flea treatment - if you can sell an extra wormer , an extra flea treatment everyday (and lets face it it isn't hard sell these are items that pet owners buy regularly)you have covered what the practice thinks they can save on cutting your hours - unless its the whole practice closing a half hour early and thats a bit different

RE: Leaving early to save practice money

therainyj — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 18:29:07 GMT

Hey Kerrie,

Does your contract stipulate how many hours per week you should be working? Refer them to this if so.
The time you work during your lunch hour is your money you're giving them for free... You're doing a lot for them already from the sounds of it.
Sure, CDs have overheads and they need to make money. Are there other ways you could show them how to save the practice money without cutting down your hours? Such as being more conservative with consumables, or switching to cheaper brands etc? Perhaps a big promotion like senior clinics with reduced price blood testing or free kitten checks etc could be a good pull for increased business?

Don't feel bad looking for another job if you have to. Ultimately, this is your life, you need the money and there are plenty of practices out there looking for good nurses. So many nurses put up with too much.

Just my two cent's worth. Hope it helps.

Good luck x