How often do you work extra?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I came home this morning from my errands to a message asking me to work extra and I do feel bad for not going in since they only need me 4 hours. At the same time, I'm going back in for my 2 scheduled nights tomorrow. I work a busy medical floor and I'm starting to feel some burn out which I'm trying to avoid.

I feel like I'm doing good just to work my OWN scheduled nights.

So do you work extra?

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Specializes in SRNA.

Rarely. I've worked 1 and a half extra shifts in the past year, and they call me at least 3-4 times a month to ask if I want to work an extra shift.

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I personally like to get all the time they can give me. Usually end up with an extra shift every other week. But of course if I have plans I will politely decline.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

Usually once a week - 4 12hr shifts. I'm tired, but you gotta do what you gotta do...

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Often I pull enough extra hours--usually voluntarily--over the week to make up almost an entire shift.

I don't feel burned out (yet) because when they do ask, I just say "No" when I don't want to work extra.

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Specializes in neurology, cardiology, ED.

I try to do one extra shift a week, 4 or 8 hours, never a 12. I get called regularly, but like others said, I don't go in if I have plans. I try to schedule my extra shifts ahead, so I'm in the right frame of mind to go into work, that helps.

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only for 4 hrs, they're nuts, i don't work anything but 10 or 12 hr shifts. 4, 6 & 8 hr shifts aren't worth getting dressed and the gas imo.

with that said i don't work much ot, because they know i won't work anything but a 10 or 12 hr shift, lots of ot there.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.
only for 4 hrs, they're nuts, i don't work anything but 10 or 12 hr shifts. 4, 6 & 8 hr shifts aren't worth getting dressed and the gas imo.

with that said i don't work much ot, because they know i won't work anything but a 10 or 12 hr shift, lots of ot there.

LOL..I didn't think of it that way. But I have done 4 hours before and taxes ate the money right up so it was of no real benefit to me.

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Specializes in icu,ccu,sicu,crna.

I've worked overtime almost every pay period since I became a registered nurse in 1988. :eek: And even then they wanted more. (the hospital) odaat, lifeistweet

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Specializes in LTC.

I always stay an extra 4 hours (for a total of 12) when asked- especially if I have the next day off. Those last 4 hours fly by. But they don't ask very often.

On the flip side, I hate going on on my day off- especially for only 4 hours because it feels like I was there all day anyway so I may as well have worked the whole shift. I don't always say yes to that.

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Specializes in cardiothoracic surgery.

Maybe once or twice a year. And I only pick up 4 hour shifts, because I don't want to work a full day on my day off. I only agree to it if I know they are in desperate need of help, because you don't really see the extra money in your paycheck anyways.

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Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.

Rarely do I work beyond my scheduled hours; the LTC facility where I work pulled a fast one on me...I was asked to work 7-3 because they were desperate. I was already scheduled to work 3-11 (usual shift). So, after doing them a favor, the time scheduler (in her infinite wisdom) put me on a different floor to work my usual 3-11 shift. I no longer do double shifts, needless to say. As for working on my day off, the answer is "no," unless the spirit moves me!

This facility routinely asks nurses to work extra shifts; IMO, by picking up shifts, I am part of the problem rather than part of the solution..the solution...hire more nurses!!!

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