Top Ten Reasons to Work an Overtime Shift on the Weekend

[betts]

10. Think of all the weight you'll lose from not getting to eat because of short staffing.

9. Think of the closeness you'll develop with you're co-workers after being knee-deep in Code 10's, Code Blues and Code Browns.

8. Everyone is so frazzled, so next to them you look fabulous!

7. Think of what a challenge it will be to your nursing skills to run a Code without a Crash Cart because they are all down in Central Supply being replaced.

6. The joy of having the previous shift's charge nurse tell you, "I don't understand why no one would return my calls to work today or tonight. Oh, and by the way, you have four nurses for this shift, and a full house of patients sick as dog dirt."

5. Because you're a new grad and you want to be a "TEAM PLAYER" like your head nurse told you to be. (That and you have "sucker" stamped on your forehead!)

4. When you go home with your back aching from not having any nursing assistants who work weekends and your feet aching from running your butt off for "emergency procedures" (like the gas pain your patient has had for a week that is suddenly unbearable), you'll know that you really ARE a caregiver.

3. Think of all the computer skills you'll gain from putting in your own orders and ordering supplies from Central Supply. (That can go on your resume as...."Know how to operated multiple outdated computer equipment.")

2. You don't have time to adequately chart so you may get to learn how our judicial system works. On the bright side, your handwriting will be so bad that it can say whatever you want it to say!

1. Think of what a GREAT "Learning Experience" this will be. (Translation: You just got shafted!!)

[aussie oi oi oi]

Nice to know that I am not the only sucker on this planet!!!!!!!

Especially when the nurse managers ring you and say Deb I know you are tired but we are really desperate and I had no one to call, I would really appreciate it!!!!!!! (do they hold a degree in psychology or what!)

Yep there are suckers everywhere, I have added a new word to vocabulary: NO! oh just added it to oops I have a bad line here can't hear you and then don't answer the phone when it is an external call, figuring that if it is a friend they will call when the sun is up first................

My other trick is too do you realise that this will be my 3rd overtime this month!!!!!!

Cheers to all the nurse managers (nothing personal I promise)

[oramar]

Just remember those same managers that are your buddy when they want you to work will be very distant when mistakes are made. I remember when my niece, who worked every single extra shift she was called about the first year she was a new nurse, came to me very angry because she asked for help getting a weekend off to be in a wedding and was told no way. I told her, "every newbie comes to this place where they realize how cold managment is, now you know." Now seven years into nursing she is a tough cookie, she is talking about going part time. Nobody pulls the wool over her eyes ever.

[deespoohbear]

That is why I have Caller ID! If the hospital calls, I just let the machine answer my call. After seven years of working for the same place, I have decided that I am going to be in the driver's seat now! A couple of months ago the management decided to crack down on the OT because of a new weekend bonus we received. The management was cutting us to the bare bones for staffing. Now, that the census is going up and we have several people off for maternity leave and other people taking vacation time because of spring break now they are begging us to work OT! And guess what? Most of us have said tough! We weren't good enough a couple of months ago, so why now are we so important? I have decided that I am going to be in charge!! It is my life and I plan to spend it with my family and friends!! Not at the hospital.

[SICU Queen]

They heard me say "NO" so often they don't even call anymore.