A day off

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Has this every happened to you? You actually have two days in a row off from work. You have no plans in particular, but have a few things to do that you've been putting off all week because you were too tired from work. You go out, get the oil changed (you've pushed it to 4000 miles this time), buy some cat food for your cat (who's been eating left over human food for the past week) stop by the post office to get some stamps so you can finally mail the now belated birthday card to your brother. When you return home, you find not one, but three guilt provoking messages from work asking if you could come in. What do you do?

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

i bought my first answering machine because of calls from work begging me to come in on my day off. in those days (early 1980s) we were working 8 hour shifts and i could count on a call at 0500, 1300 and 2100 -- two hours before the start of each shift. and once i got married, there were two or three calls before the start of each shift. one begging him to come in, one begging me and one begging either of us to please come in. if you said no, they marked that down by your name on a list. three "nos" and you were counseled. it was easier to just let the machine get it. i still screen my calls! now, since the advent of caller id i'm still not safe. the charge nurses will call on their personal cell phones so that the work number doesn't come up on your caller id! i just don't answer the phone anymore unless i know who is calling and i want to talk to them!

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Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

Nancy Reagan taught us all, just say "No"

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It is wonderful having an answering machine. Everyone deserves a day off. When I received those messages I promptly erased them.

Just say "NO" if you want to do so.

Otessa

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Specializes in ICU, Cardiac.

Easy one - not return the call.

As someone who works 4 days a week, every week, I need the rest of those days off to spend with my family, as well as needing time to decompress.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

when they start offering incentive pay on short days, SOMEONE will come in. i work nights so my phone is on silent during the day anyway.

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Specializes in ICU, Cardiac.

We are almost always offered incentive pay, which is almost double time - Sometimes it has nothing to do with incentive pay - sometimes you are just too tired to head back to work one more day or night.

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My days off are mine, period. We are under no obligation to work OT or to take call where I work, so I don't answer work calls when off.

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

I'm scheduled for 64 hours/pay period, and try to pick up once a week to get to 80 hours. This is MY choice. Of course now it seems I'm the first person that gets called. However, there is no guilt involved when I say no! I cover 10 shifts per pay period, with four days off in two weeks. This is what I feel I can safely do, without burn out.

I love my job, love my residents, but feel no guilt about not picking up the phone when the call comes "can you work?"

Has this every happened to you? You actually have two days in a row off from work. You have no plans in particular, but have a few things to do that you've been putting off all week because you were too tired from work. You go out, get the oil changed (you've pushed it to 4000 miles this time), buy some cat food for your cat (who's been eating left over human food for the past week) stop by the post office to get some stamps so you can finally mail the now belated birthday card to your brother. When you return home, you find not one, but three guilt provoking messages from work asking if you could come in. What do you do?
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Specializes in LTC/Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.
when they start offering incentive pay on short days, SOMEONE will come in. i work nights so my phone is on silent during the day anyway.

I do work overnights for incentive pay--$100 bonus is the standard.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Very rarely will I come in when called on a day off. I have things to do and the hospital hasn't fallen apart yet because I haven't come in.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele, ER.
Has this every happened to you? You actually have two days in a row off from work. You have no plans in particular, but have a few things to do that you've been putting off all week because you were too tired from work. You go out, get the oil changed (you've pushed it to 4000 miles this time), buy some cat food for your cat (who's been eating left over human food for the past week) stop by the post office to get some stamps so you can finally mail the now belated birthday card to your brother. When you return home, you find not one, but three guilt provoking messages from work asking if you could come in. What do you do?

Erase. Erase. Erase.

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Turn your phones off and enjoy your day off!!!:beer:Buy a cheap cell phone and give the number to family and friends only. You deserve time to yourself(guilt-free). Being overworked and stressed out is not good for you or your patients!

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