Guilt over saying no to overtime

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Is it just me. Constantly short staffed and asked to do overtime a lot. When I say no I feel so guilty, extra cash when times are tough. Also not spending time at home with my family when I should be. I know the argument that you won't get the time back but can't understand why I feel like I do. I have great friends at work who tell me to ease off, but try as I may struggle to enjoy my day off when I say no. Any one else feel like this?

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Nope. I refuse to feel guilty. You feel like that because you're expanding your obligation to your employer out of its professional boundaries and into your personal life. You'll want to stop that as soon as possible so you don't burn out.

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Specializes in LTC.

I feel a twinge of guilt that stems from loyalty to my residents. However, I am acutely aware that the facility ran just fine before I got there and certainly won't shut down because I choose to forego OT. Down time is extremely important for us to recharge and be better nurses our next shifts. A tired, over-worked and burnt-out nurse does no one any good, and that includes your family.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

It's hard to learn how to NOT take on those feelings of guilt. Take a shift here and there when you can and sleep well knowing you have done the best you could.You need your down time.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

I work to live I don't live to work. ?

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Specializes in LTC.

We had 3 nurses quit in a week and we weren't exactly fully staffed before that. The requests and calls for overtime are non-stop. I feel very comfortable saying no because I need my downtime. I cherish my downtime. I am just so physically and mentally exhausted from work that I need the time to recharge my batteries more than I need the extra money.

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I set very clear boundaries that I don't work overtime. We have a schedule made well in advance and most of the time the shortages are no surprise, but it's not acted on until 12-hours or less before the shift. We have plenty of staff and a float team. We have only one job opening on my unit, so it beats me as to why we'd be scheduled to be understaffed on some days, but I don't feel responsible for filling staffing holes by working OT.

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Don't feel guilty!! I get calls all the time and never answer.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

you're not a staffing agency, you're not a scheduler and you're not HR

you are, however, responsible for delivering quality care while working

your schedule

preventing burn out is one way you can ensure that you continue to give

your employer their money's worth

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Specializes in LTC, Correctional Nursing.

I had to learn to say No... bc once you start giving in to OT, you will be the go to everytime. Also, being overly tired and exhausted could lead to errors in judgment. It's your nursing license on the line, not theirs.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I always say no to coming in early or staying late (unless a coworker has an emergency and has to adjust their schedule on short notice) and no to working extra shifts. I never feel guilty about it. I have a schedule, I work it, I never call off, and I do a good job while I'm there. But my off time if MY off time and I'm not giving it up. I've finally reached a point in life where work is just something that interrupts the rest of my life, and makes it possible to pay for the things i really WANT to do.

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