what do you do about phone calls if you could come to work extra on your day off

[olli975]

Hi everyone,

I am a new RN and am still getting to know my unit's rules etc. I am working on my Master's so I only work part time. When I had my job interview, my manager and I discussed working extra when they need me and I am able to. I thought though that I will be asked in advance, for instance, when someone takes vacation time or is sick for a few days... Instead I often get 4 am calls on my days off asking if I could come. I would like to work some extra time to save more money and help my coworkers out, but often I have already some plans for a day: doctor's appointment, study group, out of town etc... My questions is: do they call everyone? does this somehow reflect on the preformace review, etc? I am just worried because I am a new RN and want to establish a good relationship with everyone, yet at the same time I want to have a life with some sort of predictability so I can plan my study time etc and often when I come for an extra 8 hr shift, I am asked to stay 12 etc... Also I am not paid extra when I work extra because I am a part time employee, which is fine anyway... Do you get phone calls on your days off? Do you keep your cell phone on at night? Do I have to keep it one?

Thank you!!! :redpinkhe

[feralnostalgia]

haha, if my employer calls unexpectedly they go straight to voicemail. I check it when they're done, and if I want to acknowledge the call or for some reason really want to work extra, I will, but usually I just ignore it. if they called me at 4 in the morning on a regular basis I would be extremely annoyed.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

If I'm sleeping, I usually don't answer the phone (I sleep only 5 hours a day) - unless it's my parents (special ringtone) and they know NOT to call me unless it's an emergency.

Anycase, my hospital uses BidShift for staffing where we can sign up for on call shifts.

If I'm sleeping and answer the phone anyway - depending on my current situation, I will volunteer to work or I'll say "Sorry. I have plans".

Also I am not paid extra when I work extra because I am a part time employee, which is fine anyway...

Uhhh, you're getting shafted.

Period.

Trust me - when it comes to "review time"... all those times your pitched in extra won't count.

But they sure will notice the times you were "6 minutes late" and how often you called in.

I guess it depends on each employer - but seriously, I don't think I would work extra unless they paid me extra. If they're relying on you so much to fill their schedule - either ask to become a FT employee or ask for extra pay.

Otherwise, just say no. One of the biggest mistakes most new nurses make is trying to "make a good impression", work crazy shifts and burn out within two years because they are now exhausted and have no social life to speak off...

Trust me, I know.

cheers,

Roy

[Bella RN, BSN, MSN]

I look at the caller ID and if I see it's them I roll over and go back to sleep:D