Am I being selfish?

Nurses Relations

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I work CASUAL in a small clinic. I am here for the experience, because I like it, and mostly because I want to stay home with my child as much as possible. I love my coworkers and really don't mind helping out, but we are short staffed, and one of our full-time nurses is dealing with some serious health issues that will keep her out of work for extended periods of time (now and in the future). Basically, I could work full-time and there would still be open shifts. I try and work 1-2 days per week, sometimes 3 at the most, but am still getting asked to work more more more. Am I selfish to not pick up shifts for my ill coworker? I want to keep my home/work balance but feel guilty leaving my coworkers short or having my ill coworker work when she would be better off at home. Please help.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Maybe, but so what?

As a casual employee you are not obligated to cover anyone. Your employer should be ensuring that they have the staffing to cover sick calls. Perhaps they need another casual employee, maybe an agency, maybe some other solution, but it is not your responsibility.

Work what you can and still live your life. As I have said to other posters here: if you believe your employer wouldn't stop giving you shifts in a hot second if that suited their needs, then you are mistaken. Especially as a casual employee you need to look out for yourself, because no-one else will.

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If you weren't hired for full-time then don't work full-time. Let them know you can only work the shifts you've already agreed to but are unable to work any more.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I agree with all the above. It is not your responsibility to ensure adequate staffing for your clinic, nor is it your duty to work more than you've agreed to, unless of course you choose to. You have nothing to feel bad about and you certainly don't have to explain yourself; it's up to your employer to cover the ill co-worker's shifts. Good on you for not allowing yourself to be used.

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I agree with the pp. You have no further obligation than what you are currently doing. If you feel personally "guilty" for not working more, I would think that what you would have to pay out in childcare wouldn't even make it worth your while to take on more shifts.

It is nice that your employer offered you the extra hours first, however, if it is not going to work, it is not going to work.

Another thought would be to say "I can work every Monday and Tuesday for Coworker X if that would be more helpful".

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Thank you everyone for the awesome responses! I am trying so hard to put my foot down and not take more shifts than I want, because I know it is a slippery slope. I really appreciate all of the advice and you all helped to ease my mind.

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I refuse shifts all the time, and I don't tell them why. I just say I can't make it, sorry. I've been told (by a coworker, not a boss) that they feel like I don't have any commitment to the facility. Uh, yeah. That's the idea. A job with minimal commitment. I don't want to work full time, and I want to choose my own hours. I probably could work full time by just filling in. But I don't wanna. I have myself and my family to think of and that's way more important. I can find another PRN job if they don't like it.

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they already know you dont want to work extra, so you don't need to explain anything to them. only give excuses when you fail to meet obligations, otherwise resentment can build because they get confused and start thinking that you are obligated.

when they ask, just say "CAN'T".

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