Aggressive staffing person at LTC

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What excuse do you use when you are called in to work on your day off? This staffing person is extremely demanding and he acts like your job is on the line if you don't come in to work on your day off. I need my days off to recover from this job!:arghh:

Not answering the phone is the easiest way out. If you do answer the phone, JUST SAY NO. I don't think you need to justify why you can't. "No, I can't come in today." Click.

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Yes I think just not answering the phone is the best thing to do. I hope I won't accidently forget it is my day off. I think being quick and saying No I can't work today I'm busy hope you find someone to come in bye bye is a good idea too. I really appreciate everyone's suggestions here.

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Specializes in Assisted Living nursing, LTC/SNF nursing.

I just received my first year review and one of the criteria for a raise is how often you 'helped' out when called to come in on your time off. I don't think that should be a criteria of getting your deserved raise but some places are so codependant and poorly staffed that I guess that is a bargaining chip from coorporate.

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Leave off on the "I'm sorry" part. Practice in front of a mirror until you can say this perfectly, "That's not possible. Thank you for calling. Good-bye." Click. If somehow they get another word in edgewise, repeat verbatim, no elaboration, no excuses, no explanations.

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I worked in a a LTC that did this. If you said no you get the biggest guilt trip, and a lot of attitude. It was my first job, I ended up working my self to death. Eventually I got so sick of the guilt trips and bullying that I quit.

Just say 'no I'm sorry, hope you can find someone' and hang up! You don't own them any excuse or reason.

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

I do occasionally volunteer to stay over when we are so short they are threatenting to mandate someone.I don't have a young child to meet at the school bus and my husband is grown up enough to feed the pets so I can do that. It helps to assuage my guilt when I say "no".

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Specializes in ED,NICU,SICU,MICU,CCU.
. They try to trick you into answering the phone by using someone else's private cell phone to call you in to work.:arghh: I guess I am worried that I might identically pick up and answer the phone on my days off just out of habit.

That is insanity & desperateness :sarcastic:you need you CONFRONT this person's supervisor in a calm non aggressive way, acting as if your their best friend. Simpy inform him/her that this idiots tactics make it undesirable to accept additional shifts & maybe if someone controls his pie hole & actions, nurses would have no problem taking shifts. :yes:

Sounds to me like this person is the "help" and he is trying to abuse and control the licensed staff.

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Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

"NO" Is a complete sentence!

Nursing is a service job ,NOT servant.

Examine your motives for giving in. It sounds like you are a bit afraid??

Next time say "Sorry I have a commitment. (jokingly add ) "You guys call me so much it is starting to feel like harassment"

Best bet and most effective is to be honest and just say "No "

Wishing you courage.You will feel so proud of yourself when you speak up for yourself.

Yes. it's time!!! So off you go and do a little mirror practice, so you are ready to face and be done with this situation that's distracting you from life

Don't get distracted by any flattery . It is 100% manipulation

Good luck

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Tell them, politely, that you aren't available. If they give you grief, say that you schedule your appointments on your days off to avoid missing work unnecessarily and it's just not possible. One of my nursing teachers would accept one for every three she declined. The extra shift was good and the other nurses would be so grateful that she came in. If it continues or gets more demanding, speak to HR and see if they can get her to tone it down. Her job is NOT to harass the staff.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
"NO" Is a complete sentence!

Nursing is a service job ,NOT servant.

Examine your motives for giving in. It sounds like you are a bit afraid??

Next time say "Sorry I have a commitment. (jokingly add ) "You guys call me so much it is starting to feel like harassment"

Personally, I would would stay away from the 'harassment' comment...no reason to bait them into making it something larger. I do agree though that "no" is a reasonable answer...you don't owe them an explanation. If this is a problem for you, screen your calls...I know this can stink, but it is better than having to give this person an answer of no.

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Google Voice! Get a number forward all calls to your cell or home phone. You can even block the number they are calling from temporarily. :)

-LL

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I got tired of feeling like I couldn't even answer my own phone. I still don't answer sometimes but most of the time I now say "Oh, I'm sorry I have plans today that I just can't cancel.". No need for them to know my plans include sitting my butt on the couch and watching movies all day. I do have a life outside of work and make it a point to rarely go in, but I will stay late to help out if they need me.

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