Is it unreasonable to request a consistent schedule/ask my practice when figuring out schedule for consistency?

[u/New_Cartographer8935]

Hi all,

I am a new grad vet who has been in the mentorship phase of joining my new practice (general practice). I will be looking to talk/figure out my long term schedule with them soon. My ideal schedule would be to work Mon-Thursday, and then take a Saturday per month. Friday off would be my ideal due to rotating schedule of taking care of a sick family member, but I recognize that may be less likely as a new grad and I would be fine with any day depending on the clinic needs.

I'm feeling a lot of anxiety about discussing this with the practice manager/medical director, as it seems like all of the doctors have more sporadic schedules that vary. Sometimes they are off on different days during the months (inconsistent between weeks), sometimes they vary hours, etc. I would really like to have a consistent schedule with consistent hours figured out per week. I do not thrive well with a changing day off or changing hours per week, it just makes me anxious constantly checking the schedule to know when I need to be there or what my days working are that week. I've currently been following a couple different doctors, and I already feel a major strain/anxiety with the changing days off/variable hours every week. I have ADHD/generalized anxiety disorder and honestly I think the constantly changing/variable schedule just makes me feel out of control of my life.

What is the best way to approach this with them when discussing it? I don't want to come across lazy or entitled, but I also don't think I will thrive/do my best with a constantly changing schedule and I will quickly get burnt out. Obviously I want to be a team player and I am happy to cover/be flexible if another doctor has to be out for a reason, but I would really prefer to have consistency for my own mental health.

This has become a major source of anxiety for me over the past few weeks. I stupidly didn't negotiate my contract down so I am stuck in it for 2 years, and the idea of having to work very inconsistent and varying hours for two years is looming over my head.

[u/Katmaybeck]

We should feel comfortable to express what we need to work in this field. A consistent schedule is NOT a big ask. This is pretty standard in most hospitals, ESPECIALLY GP. So that is a little strange and I wonder why that is the case. I’m sure the techs and support staff have a routine schedule right? There should be no reason they cannot grant you this. Make it clear you need this to keep yourself organized as a new grad and perform the best work possible. And also explain the reason like you said that you have a prearranged caretaker role on Fridays. It’s hard not to feel anxious about talking to managers. I hate that it can feel intimidating and like we have to bend over backward for them. But they also work for you because you will be making them money and are the reason they get paid in the first place! So they should also be willing to compromise with that. Otherwise if they refuse any type of routine schedule despite your requests that is not a very good sign…

[u/skybison2037]

Asking for a conversation about scheduling, especially before starting at a job is incredibly reasonable and smart to do. I had a similar conversation with my employer at the GP I work at and were able to create a schedule that was more consistent and equally distributed for all the doctors. They had been operating with too few doctors for so long that everyone had just accepted the crazy schedule as it was because no one asked to change it!

[u/New_Cartographer8935 → u/skybison2037]

Unfortunately I've already started/been in the mentorship phase for the last month or so, but I will definitely try to have a conversation about it.

[u/NervousDot9627]

Rotating schedules allow for fairness/equity - docs each take turns working equal number of Saturdays, and get an equal number of three day weekends.

Except for a Saturday a month, you want all three day weekends knowing the other docs who share three day weekends, will get even fewer to accommodate you.

There really isn't a way to ask for this, and spin it to avoid looking entitled. Seeking preferential treatment to the detriment of your colleagues ... kind of is the definition.

[u/skybison2037 → u/NervousDot9627]

No where do they say that the other doctors are taking more weekend shifts or that this is an unreasonable ask based on how the clinic is operating or what they've described. Also it is absolutely not entitled to ask for a conversation about scheduling, the clinic can always refuse based on how they operate but asking isn't entitled.

This kind of thinking and response is how you burn doctors out for asking simple questions that just require a little communication between management and staff

[u/New_Cartographer8935 → u/NervousDot9627]

There are enough doctors at this hospital that it would be one Saturday per doctor per month. So I wouldn't be expecting them to take on more Saturdays for me.

The schedule is highly variable right now. If they told me they can't make Fridays work I would be ok with that and suck it up. I just want consistency and expected working hours in my schedule rather than each week being different varying from 8-5 shifts to 11-8 on any given day with no pattern or consistency.