My current boss loves to sign staff up for "Extra" shift.... Working 4 12s a week instead of 3. Multiple staff members have requested no more Extra. However after a couple of months the boss will start to sign us up again. Note this is not by choice, and we are not asked in advance to work extra. How can we have our boss realize this is affecting our nurses morale and retention?

Your boss will take note when it costs enough money. You are being paid overtime for these extra shifts, aren't you? Make sure you understand the policies in place in your unit -- our doesn't pay overtime unless it's more than 80 hours in two weeks. But you'd still get overtime for eight of those hours. If there's nothing in the policy to prohibit adding in extra shifts, you need a union!

We do get paid time in a half once we meet 40 hours a week. Which isn't hard. It comes to a point when Home life is more important then the extra money. Their is nothing in our policy prohibiting extra shifts. However our state is one that prohibits mandatory overtime for nurses.

Would think that another half time or three quarter time employee would take up the slack nicely. Has anybody left because of the policy? Giving this as the reason for leaving in a resignation letter or at an exit interview might cause some interest.

Just tell her you can't do it. You are obligated to work 3 12's and that is what you will be doing from now on.

You have a car situation, a family situation, are just too exhausted to be safe, whatever. Tell her verbally and

via email so you have a written record. Let Staffing Coordinator know, too.

Just say "NO".

Talk to HR. If nurses are being forced to work more than 40 hours, with no notice or chance to decline, it might be considered mandatory overtime, which you said is illegal in your state.

Just tell her you can't do it. You are obligated to work 3 12's and that is what you will be doing from now on.

You have a car situation, a family situation, are just too exhausted to be safe, whatever. Tell her verbally and

via email so you have a written record. Let Staffing Coordinator know, too.

Just say "NO".

You don't have to have an excuse. Just say no.

"I am not available for OT (or an increase in my FTE, for the part-timers who also don't need extra hours but wouldn't be into PT.)" If you are flexible, you could ask your manager which of those four shifts she'd rather cancel.

Everyone ideally would be on board with this; if you all stop working OT, management will be required to find a real solution. Willingly working the coerced/mandatory OT shows management that their actions are acceptable.