[JOY, RN]

WHERE I WORK RN'S ARE MANDATED TO STAY OVER AND WORK BEYOND THEIR 8.5 HR SHIFT. USUALLY THIS MEANS AN ADDITIONAL 8.5 HOURS. THIS IS DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES UNSAFE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WORK FULL TIME ALREADY. IF YOU ARE MANDATED YOU MAY BE EXPECTED TO WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY AS WELL. THIS IS BECOMING MORE COMMON AS THE NURSING SHORTAGE WORSENS. IS THIS LEGAL FOR THE MANDATED SHIFTS AND IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THIS?

[ocankhe]

Originally posted by JOY, RN:
WHERE I WORK RN'S ARE MANDATED TO STAY OVER AND WORK BEYOND THEIR 8.5 HR SHIFT. USUALLY THIS MEANS AN ADDITIONAL 8.5 HOURS. THIS IS DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES UNSAFE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WORK FULL TIME ALREADY. IF YOU ARE MANDATED YOU MAY BE EXPECTED TO WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY AS WELL. THIS IS BECOMING MORE COMMON AS THE NURSING SHORTAGE WORSENS. IS THIS LEGAL FOR THE MANDATED SHIFTS AND IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THIS?

Under current federal labor laws it
is legal. Some states ban or limit this practise. Another way mandatory overtime can be eliminated or curtailed is through a collective bargaining agreement by your union.

[JOY, RN]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT OCANKHE. TO CLARIFY MY SITUATION FOR OTHER READERS, WE DO NOT HAVE A UNION AT MY HOSPITAL. IT HAS BEEN SOUGHT AFTER A COUPLE OF TIMES BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS.

[rncountry]

Yes, it is legal, and happening more frequently throughout the country. There is a bill that has been introduced in congress that would stop it. One of the issues of the million nurse march is the mandatory overtime. You may want to consider becoming involved with the march. See www.millionnursemarch.org