Shafted on Thanksgiving

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I had been scheduled way ahead of time to work this Thanksgiving, OK, fine it's my turn. My daughter in law invited me to come to her family's town 3.5 hrs drive away from me as she and my son would be there with her family having driven down from their home 9 hrs away. But no I couldn't I had to work, so I turned down the invitation and made no plans, btw this would have been the first TG in 11 years where I wouldn't have been all alone for the day. : (.

The time comes for work, I shower, get dressed, makeup on and go to the hospital. I run into the supervisor as I was going in, "Oh I left you a voicemail, we don't need you tonight so you can go home". Not only did the hospital screw me out of a nights holiday pay they screwed me out of the opportunity to see my son and daughter in law.

Has this happened to anyone else? They maintain a rotating list of nurses who they put on "standby" when the census drops to certain levels. They just fricking hang you out to dry. Then they have the nerve to call me sometimes and ask me to come in at the last minute because "we're desperate". I never have and never will come in to work any extra shift to help them out, EVER.

Oh yes, I forgot this is at a faith based hospital that is all over themselves, going on and on about "The Spirit of Mercy"!

Does this happen to anyone else?

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It's just business. I get called off all the time and have learned to never leave without double checking my phone. But I'm sorry you had a crummy night.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

It happens ... with my last job, which had a nursing union, the facility would be required to pay you for the first 4 hours. I have heard this practice done at non union hospitals as well. There should be some type of compensation.

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Specializes in PCU.

I am really sorry you had a crummy Thanksgiving :(

I get called off a bit here and there but always able to make it up later. It is just a census thing and not personal in the least. I am sure they did not mean to ruin your holiday or set out to make you feel bad.

Most people would have been thrilled to be called off, called family and asked if ok to still drop by. Maybe not as cool as being there pre-planned and set, but at least you would have gotten to see them, maybe? I have driven a few hours on short notice to be w/family when able to, even if only for a little bit of time together. jmho.

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I think the only way around not getting screwed out of the Holidays is to get a government job. :)

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

I got a call as I was ready to walk out the door (happened 12 years ago or so). In my case it was just a part time gig as I was working a weekend option somewhere else so I told them to cancel all my other shifts as well and never looked back. I understand about census and cancellations, but NOT on a major holiday.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I was put on call last thanksgiving, for $4/hr and I had to sit home while my husband went else where. Its part of being a hospital nurse. I understand the anger though...I get 4$/hr to be on call all the time, then when they are short staffed and want us to come in and work an extra shift we do not get an extra pay as a bonus to come in on our day off; just straight regular pay.

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Is voicemail an appropriate way for YOU to call off?

What time was the voicemail sent?

You will (hopefully) get @ least 4 hours of straight time.

Sigh... the life of a hospital nurse.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

That is the way it is unfortunately. We tell everyone to make sure you check your messages, esp if our census is low. If you come in and we didn't need you, then you get sent home and we don't owe you pay. Sorry you had a rotten day.

My question would be...did they call you off in a timely manner and you just didn't hear your phone ring? We have to give at least 1.5 hours notice. If they didn't call you off in a timely manner then you may have a case, check your policy and procedure for cancelling staff.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

At my job if they don't actually get a hold of you they still have to pay you.Leaving a message doesn't count.I have showed up several times and they didn't need me due to low census but I just got send to another floor that needed.There is always a shortage in some department so I end up working anyways.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

It has happened to me many times doing agnecy work.

I must admit the agencies are pretty good calling & cancelling but sometimes, they do forget.

Did u not check your voicemail? I suppose when ur busy trying to get to work, you forget as well.

One way to avoid this is to always call in about 1 hour - 30 minutes b4 ur shift & check if they still need you.

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Specializes in ICU.

Being shafted is all part of the nursing profession. As a nursing professional, you should say "Thank You". :chair:

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