Do people take advantage of me because I work nights?

wooh, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

I answer the phone because I'm worried they may have a question pertaining to something that may have happened related to my shift

Those questions can wait just like scheduling questions. How often have you NEEDED to call dayshift more than a few hours after leaving work for information that just cannot wait?

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

As the others said you are letting them take advantage of you by being so willing to drop everything and do them a favor! Start saying no or do what the rest of us do, don't answer the phone if its the hospital! You must have caller ID! I don't even answer because as you find out it's practically a daily badgering. Let them hire more nurses! If you want the overtime then schedule it when you want it, not at their beck and call! Only you can stand up for yourself and say no, or at least don't answer the phone when work is calling. Works for me!

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

If they call you and ask if you can work on Wednesday two weeks from now, the onus is on THEM to look at their own blankety-blank calendar to give you the actual date.

Let's say your co-worker, Jack, called you 3 hours after your shift:

Jack: Hey Frankie. Sorry to call you three hours after your shift, but do you think you can help me out by working Wed after next? I really need that day off.

You: Hey Jack. Wow, you scared me. I thought this was an emergency call or something. Yeah, it's kind of hard for me to get back to sleep when you call me so late after my shift ended. It would be like me calling you at 2200 to ask you to cover my shift two weeks out. Thanks for recognizing how disruptive that it for me. So, what is the date exactly?

Jack: Ummm...I don't know, don't have my calendar in front of me.

You: Since I am already in bed, I don't either. Why don't you figure it out and leave a note for me on my locker. I'll let you know when I see you next.

Jack: Well, I really wanted to get an answer now so I can make plans. PLEEEEEASE?

You: Two Wednesdays from now could be a holiday for all I know, and my kids might have something scheduled, so I can't commit to you right now. If you really need your shift covered RIGHT NOW, call someone else or see if our NM can grant you the day off. I'll help you if I can, but I need to look at my own schedule and right this minute, I need to go back to sleep so I can wake up in time to get my kids. I'll talk to you later. Bye.

You are pointing out how disruptive it is to call you for something that could be handled later-covering a shift is not an emergency. You are also giving him some perspective by putting him in your shoes if you called him late at night-it's totally inappropriate.

When word gets around that you won't just automatically say yes, I bet that your phone will stop ringing. You could always say no, that you have plans for that day-even if you know good and well that you don't. Then end the conversation there.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

If I'm unable to immediately check the calendar, or the schedule, I always say "Let me check my schedule and I'll get back with you". Always.

I've been burned too many times by exactly what the OP has described. Regretting saying yes when I hadn't thought it through.

newbtonursing · Jun 17, 2012

"Also, does your work have both your home and cell phone numbers? If I were in your situation, I would only give them one, and let the school have the other. That way you can silence the phone they know and your kids can still get in touch with you,"

LOVE that idea! Thanks. I think I will use that one.

RNperdiem, RN · Jun 17, 2012

I let my coworkers know that I prefer to be contacted by email to pick up shifts/part shifts.

That way I can look at my calendar, talk to my husband about his schedule and get back to the person making a request. I don't like to make work decisions like that on the spot.

My nurse managers also post open spots on the schedule for anyone looking for overtime; it minimizes the need for phone calls.

merlee · Jun 17, 2012

If it is truly what you said, then call back and say 'I am sure you didn't mean the 4th of July, because I am not available to work that day. I just worked Memorial day, and those minor days, Mother's and Father's days. So please be sure of the actual date, and call me back. I will not be available July 4th.' If they give you a hard time, ask for compensation above the usual. Yes, I know you will get holiday pay, but there is nearly always wiggle room.

And tell them that if it isn't an actual emergency, they should contact you when you are at work, or by email.

Nights can be difficult, at times, for other people to get used to.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 17, 2012

i dont want to get into the specifics of it, but i'm starting to notice a pattern. i've worked nightshift for years and regardless of who i'm working for my supervisor always calls me 3hours after my shift has ended. she wants to know if i can pick up extra shifts. she has to know i'm tired, sleeping, and in no condition to make sound choices. they never call on my day off. i got suckered into working mothers day. a double on memorial day and now im working on independence day. i couldnt turn the ringer off because my children were in school at the time. my favorite method that they use is when they call and say(for example), -hi. can you work wednesday two weeks from now for me. they never say the date. they dont tell you that that wednesday is july 4th. and they never say- can you work independence day. so now your stuck with a shift you cant get out of. i need to cancel my plans. my kids are going to be so mad at me.
just my vent for the day. thanks for listening.:)

give your kids a separate ring tone for emergencies and don't answer anything else during your sleep time. or buy a cheap "burner" (i'll admit to being hooked on "the wire") for your kids or the school to contact you for emergencies and silence your regular phone. or something to that effect. if you're answering the phone when you're supposed to be sleeping, it's your fault you're being taken advantage of.

never, never say yes to picking up an extra shift without looking at your calendar and/or discussing it with your so. or kids. or self. tell them you'll think about it and call them back. then if you want to do the shift, tell them yes. if you don't, don't.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

I don't want to get into the specifics of it, but I'm starting to notice a pattern. i've worked night shift for years and regardless of who i'm working for my supervisor ALWAYS calls me 3hours after my shift has ended. She wants to know if I can pick up extra shifts. She has to know i'm tired, sleeping, and in no condition to make sound choices. they NEVER call on my day off. i got suckered into working mothers day. a double on memorial day and now i'm working on independence day. i couldn't turn the ringer off because my children were in school at the time. My favorite method that they use is when they call and say(for example), -hi. can you work wednesday two weeks from now for me. they never say the date. they don't tell you that that wednesday is july 4th. and they never say- can you work independence day. So now your stuck with a shift you cant get out of. i need to cancel my plans. my kids are going to be so mad at me.
just my vent for the day. thanks for listening.:)

They take advantage of you not because you work nights....

it's because you say yes.:hug:

I worked straight nights for a long ime. I answered NO phones when I worked nights and sleeping. My Mom, husband and the school had a cell phone number to a prepaid cheap cell phone. That was the phone I answered. The others were turned off. I made it perfectly clear to my boss and hospital what hours in the morning I was available for questions and when I would start talking calls again. My boss had to go through my husband to get to me.

I reminded them if they went to bed at 9 pm....they were still asleep at 11 pm? I made it clear....... If they insisted on calling me at 11 am I could find it convenient to call them at 11 pm and then ask them if I woke them. :madface:

I had a sign on my door for any who dared to knock.

Owner work nights and has a large dog.....

Ring bell at your own risk.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 17, 2012

I hated how they would call and ask us to pick up day shift hours when they were short yet would never call day shift to help on nights when we were dangeriously short staffed. I would never go in to help days for several reasons, but I had to protect my sleep too.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

I work nights as well.

"Ooops, you woke me up. I'm going to have to check my schedule and let you know about that shift since I didn't bring it to bed with me. Because that's where I am. Sleeping. Bye"

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

We have a problem with admin routinely calling night shift folks with questions and coverage requests in the mid-morning, which is when most of us are asleep by. I think it's OK to let them know that it's a really rude time to call you, and start letting those calls go to voicemail.