Called in on days off...what to do?!?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in OR,Pre op, PACU.

Hello All!

My situation is a little different because I am a "supervisor" on a medsurg floor at a very small hospital. Basically I take patients and deal with any issues that arise on the nights I'm there. I work 6 on and 8 off, which was a huge reason to take the position. However we are extremely understaffed and the answer from upper management has been , "everyone will have to pick up."

I'm relatively new to this hospital I've been there 5 months and it has been like this the whole time. I have picked up extra shifts where there were holes, usually one or two on my 8 days off but now nurses are calling off in addition to the holes that are already there. I suspect burnout from constantly working overtime.

I feel guilty saying no because I am a "supervisor" though my time away is important too. I work my six in a row and feel like adding more is too much at one time. I don't know what to do. I like my job but I don't want it to be my life. It's frustrating because nothing is being done about the staffing. Should I just suck it up and work?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Until you and all of the other nurses stop "sucking it up," the understaffing will never be addressed. I understand your reluctance due to your supervisory position, but again, as long as crisis is averted, realistic staffing will never happen.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Are you salaried or do you at least get paid when you pick up? I've never heard of a role like this. You have your own patient assignment and deal with issues that arrise? Are you essentially a charge nurse?

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Specializes in ICU.
Until you and all of the other nurses stop "sucking it up," the understaffing will never be addressed. I understand your reluctance due to your supervisory position, but again, as long as crisis is averted, realistic staffing will never happen.

Agree. If you continue to fill the holes, why would they bother to hire? If you like the OT pay great, if you don't want to, then don't do it. They need to hire and fill the "holes". They have no incentive to hire if you continue to help when you don't want to.

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Specializes in OR,Pre op, PACU.

Yes I am basically a charge nurse though my official title is house supervisor. It can be challenging to have my patients and also have to deal with issues in another department am hourly so I do get paid for extra shifts.

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Specializes in Oncology.

So you're not just a supervisor of that unit, you're a house supervisor, but with a patient assignment too. Fun. How many beds is this place?

To answer your original question, I would pick up occasionally if it worked out with my schedule, but would in no way feel obligated to work more than my scheduled shifts. You don't need to be one more burnt out person.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
So you're not just a supervisor of that unit, you're a house supervisor, but with a patient assignment too. Fun. How many beds is this place?

To answer your original question, I would pick up occasionally if it worked out with my schedule, but would in no way feel obligated to work more than my scheduled shifts. You don't need to be one more burnt out person.

What on earth is wrong with management folks that they just do.not.get this basic reality?? OP, this is a global problem, not just a problem at your facility.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I'd pick up when it suited me, but otherwise would JUST SAY NO. You can tell them that you have made other plans; they don't need to know that you'd plan to veg out in front of "House of Cards" with your SO.

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What on earth is wrong with management folks that they just do.not.get this basic reality?? OP, this is a global problem, not just a problem at your facility.

I'm convinced that they do get it, they just don't care and we aren't applying any pressure to make them start "caring". As long as nurses keep accepting overtime shifts (a.k.a. filling the holes) instead of demanding that the employer come up with a viable longterm solution, management will just keep doing what they're currently doing.

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Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.

I used to feel guilty about not helping out because I've been the staff on duty when short and wouldn't want my coworkers to suffer. Then one day I woke up and realized it is NOT my problem.

Administration's answer was to have critical staffing bonus and other incentives. It is working. People are picking up extra shifts every other week and at the end of the campaign's term, they get a hefty extra check.

My time off is more valuable to me right now than the extra money, but if I could do it, I would. My self-care is most important...which, again, is why I no longer feel guilty turning down extra shifts.

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Specializes in ER.

You can say, "OH, so sorry, I have plans" or "I wish I could help but I can't" or, "Sorry, I had a beer already."

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

"Sorry, it doesn't suit me today, but thanks for the offer."

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