What do you do when Work calls on your day off?

taigarn0825, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2016

When I was working nights, I would go home and go to bed between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. It only takes me 15 minutes to fall asleep. I sleep really hard, even with my phone beside the bed. Unless the house is burning down, nothing wakes me except my obnoxious alarm clock. If I wasn't scheduled to work the next night, I didn't set the alarm. So, alarm or not, I always wake up to find a bunch of missed emails and social media messages. Sometimes, there will be a few missed calls and voice messages. If they're from a supervisor, I usually got the message too late anyway. It doesn't matter how many times someone calls, I just don't hear my phone when I'm asleep.

coolrndude · May 10, 2016

This is a simple one. I just let the phone ring and go to voicemail and never returns a call. No one has time to be in that toxic environment. I find it interesting that management can be so careless when it comes to us nurses, yet has the nerve to think that one wants to be there 7 days a week. I know they can't stand me for not ever wanting to work overtime, oh well, I have a life outside of work and that can also means just laying on my couch and watch my favorite tv shows on my day off.

barcode120x, RN, NP · May 10, 2016

coolrndude said:
I find it interesting that management can be so careless when it comes to us nurses, yet has the nerve to think that one wants to be there 7 days a week.

It's not being careless, it's staffing's job to find nurses to staff the hospital. It's like when a school teacher calls in sick at work. it's the school's job for them to find a replacement for that shift. You can't blame them for looking for help. A shift has to be filled, regardless of what type and where it's at.

As many had mentioned, I just ignore the call, wait for the voicemail, listen to it and make sure it's not something important and don't call (which is totally fine at my place). Funny thing is, usually when my place is looking for extra help, it's generally a nurse to meal break other nurses in a 6-8 hour shift which is freaking easy. I always tell myself I'd do it because it's easy money, but who wants to come in to work on their day off? Some day I will...some day lol

Editorial Team / Admin · May 10, 2016

barcode120x said:
It's not being careless, it's staffing's job to find nurses to staff the hospital. It's like when a school teacher calls in sick at work. it's the school's job for them to find a replacement for that shift. You can't blame them for looking for help. A shift has to be filled, regardless of what type and where it's at.

A shift has to be filled? No, they just expect us to work shorter and in areas where we aren't fully competent.

A facility that truly wanted to staff a call off would have an established pool of people to call on. Not this random call everyone who isn't here for this shift stuff.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 13, 2016

Bortaz, RN said:
I have no problem saying "no" to the same people that reject my rare requests for last minute days off.
Just this month, they corrupted my self-scheduling schedule...scheduling me TWICE to work 6 out of 7 days, when I never schedule myself more than 3 days in a row and never less than 2-3 days off in between.
I work night shift, and do not appreciate those "I know you probably worked last night, and are sleeping, but we really NEED UR HALP" calls when I am sure enough sleeping, I did work last night, and BECAUSE I'M ALREADY SCHEDULED TONIGHT!
Will get you told off by me.
I just finished 6/7, was dead tired. On the last night at work, was asked by manager if I could work the next night. Explained that I would not, because I just worked 6/7, and am exhausted. Then, 4 hours after getting into bed that morning, the numbnuts called me, again asking if I could work.
A call to the director of the unit or the CNO will follow on the next repeat of this scenario. Don't preach "Work/Life Balance" to me and then expect me to work myself into exhaustion and cancel all my family obligations.

Can you turn your phone off?

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 13, 2016

taigarn0825 said:
When I was working nights, I would go home and go to bed between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. It only takes me 15 minutes to fall asleep. I sleep really hard, even with my phone beside the bed. Unless the house is burning down, nothing wakes me except my obnoxious alarm clock. If I wasn't scheduled to work the next night, I didn't set the alarm. So, alarm or not, I always wake up to find a bunch of missed emails and social media messages. Sometimes, there will be a few missed calls and voice messages. If they're from a supervisor, I usually got the message too late anyway. It doesn't matter how many times someone calls, I just don't hear my phone when I'm asleep.

Wow, that's great!

For OP - just don't answer your phone, your door, or your boss sliding down your chimney unless you want to work.

PennyLoafer · May 22, 2016

My hospital has gone to sending out a mass text, stating which departments are in need...or are long and looking for a vacation day. So much easier for them and us.

Maevish, ASN, RN · May 25, 2016

I have a ringtone for the hospital numbers as well as the manager so if I hear it from another room I know who it is and I don't answer. Unless I want to work OT. If I'm sleeping, then my phone ringer is off and my alarm is set. No reason to wake up for an unwanted call.

xo

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · May 25, 2016

I let that bad boy ring!!!

Anne, RNC

Amsummers · Oct 2, 2016

I learned a long time ago that my time and sanity are worth far more than a few extra bucks.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 3, 2016

It's rare in my specialty, but if it happens, I don't answer. My off time is more important than ever to me.

Alnitak7 · Oct 3, 2016

When work calls, I try to remember the times when I was stuck at work for 16 to 24 hours or more and sometimes missed what I had been looking forward to because someone canceled out. I also remember working a shift in place of someone who had to go to a wedding and who had gotten stuck at work. Had I ignored the phone, it might have meant that someone missed the wedding they were invited to or that an exhausted person had to work the shift. They really just need to hire as many per diem people as they can.