Any way you could stay over and work a few hours

Asystole RN · Mar 8, 2019

Being a 24/7 365 profession doesn't mean we have to work 24/7 365.

Tell them, "thank you for the offer but no thank you." Shouldn't need to say anything more than that.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Mar 8, 2019

Eventually it's pretty easy to become numb to these requests. "No thanks," is about the most response they'll get before I move on, unless I want a couple extra hours for some reason.

I've stayed late a couple of times to pass morning meds when day shift was really short staffed. That's mostly because I would be grateful for the same gesture in return. I have picked up extra shifts before, but in I'm usually so crabby that week I don't think it's worth it in the long run. We all already work hard and have to go above and beyond during our assigned shifts. No reason to feel the least bit guilty for declining any further hours on the clock.

HomeBound · Mar 8, 2019

You cannot win this. Don't try. Turn off the phone if it's a call--and you don't want to work OT--or simply have a great canned excuse at the ready.

When the nosy nellies start with the "I need to know everything about you" at a facility---I like disinformation. Nothing horrible, like having 12 kids under the age of 10 years old---but I do plant some information that makes it easier to get out of this sort of blackmail and extortion.

Oh...I have a live-in relative that the caregiver leaves at _______ so I need to be home.

Oh...I have to get my kids off to school and there isn't anyone else to do it (single parent).

Oh...I am taking my uncle to the airport this morning. (reuse with caution)

You cannot win. If you stay, they will expect you to do this routinely---it's a test. If you go, you will be accused of not being a "team player"--how about the person who called in for the 50th time this year? Or how about the RN Mgr who simply didn't schedule enough for the shift?

You teach people how to treat you. You make sure you have written documentation of your reviews and get copies of any letters written about you by patients/families/other employees---and you keep them in a file. When the subject of you not being a team player comes up---because you simply want to have a life outside of work, you can refer to them.

Did this, done this, been there---and I'm all ok with working my contracted hours and going home to sleep. This is my job, not my identity---and if the RN Mgr gets enough "NO THANKS", they may consider the idea that hey---this work won't get done if the staffing is so short. When you get burned out, or broken---see how loyal your employer will be when you have needs.

Here's a unique idea---how about RN Mgr staying those few hours of OT and passing those meds? Not like it's a clinical skill thing, like doing procedures.

Have a good, canned response---find something that nobody can refute or try and make you feel guilty over (I haven't slept in 2 days and have a migraine....but you can BREATHE, can't you?? surely you can hold on for just another hour?) A hard and fast commitment that makes it so you simply cannot do it.

Guest219794 · Mar 8, 2019

You know,if it was just the percocet.....

But having washed them down with Jim Beam, I just don't think it's safe.

LibraNurse27, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2019

No answer at all seems to work just fine for me! For emails and phone calls. If I'm asked in person I just say I carpooled (the truth) so I can't make my carpool partner wait for me. One time the house sup offered to give my carpool buddy a taxi voucher to get home so I could stay over! That was a hard no... LOL

brownbook · Mar 9, 2019

If nurses just say no....administration will have to pay more money for a float pool, or per diem, or work the floor their selves.

JUST SAY NO

Sue Damonas, BSN · Mar 9, 2019

I stayed over way too many times and got tired of being taken advantage of and started saying no I can't. Too many 12 hour shifts ended up 16 hours shifts. Nope. Can't do it.

guest974915 · Mar 9, 2019

9 hours ago, HomeBound said:
You cannot win this. Don't try. Turn off the phone if it's a call--and you don't want to work OT--or simply have a great canned excuse at the ready.
When the nosy nellies start with the "I need to know everything about you" at a facility---I like disinformation. Nothing horrible, like having 12 kids under the age of 10 years old---but I do plant some information that makes it easier to get out of this sort of blackmail and extortion.
Oh...I have a live-in relative that the caregiver leaves at _______ so I need to be home.
Oh...I have to get my kids off to school and there isn't anyone else to do it (single parent).
Oh...I am taking my uncle to the airport this morning. (reuse with caution)
You cannot win. If you stay, they will expect you to do this routinely---it's a test. If you go, you will be accused of not being a "team player"--how about the person who called in for the 50th time this year? Or how about the RN Mgr who simply didn't schedule enough for the shift?
You teach people how to treat you. You make sure you have written documentation of your reviews and get copies of any letters written about you by patients/families/other employees---and you keep them in a file. When the subject of you not being a team player comes up---because you simply want to have a life outside of work, you can refer to them.
Did this, done this, been there---and I'm all ok with working my contracted hours and going home to sleep. This is my job, not my identity---and if the RN Mgr gets enough "NO THANKS", they may consider the idea that hey---this work won't get done if the staffing is so short. When you get burned out, or broken---see how loyal your employer will be when you have needs.
Here's a unique idea---how about RN Mgr staying those few hours of OT and passing those meds? Not like it's a clinical skill thing, like doing procedures.
Have a good, canned response---find something that nobody can refute or try and make you feel guilty over (I haven't slept in 2 days and have a migraine....but you can BREATHE, can't you?? surely you can hold on for just another hour?) A hard and fast commitment that makes it so you simply cannot do it.

^^^love this and had a good laugh too!! I've thought the very same thing about Nurse Managers-in order for them to effectively evaluate your job performance, they must be able to do your job, right? Well how come then they aren't volunteering to 'fill those holes'? crickets

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 9, 2019

Just press the side button on your phone till the screen goes dark (aka the device is off).

Then go on with your only one life till your next scheduled shift.

Done.

allnurses Guide · Mar 9, 2019

My phone goes on do not disturb from work calls the minute I hit the parking lot. If they call me at work I have the minor in school so can't come in early. I occasionally work late but I do it like a slot machine. Need me to work late - step right up and pull the level. If you get three bars I stay. The director of nursing and I go back 20 years and if she calls me and asks directly or if I need OT for some reason I stay - but I too am all about work life balance. I have a life and my work while I love it is just a part of that life.

Never feel guilty about saying no to overtime.

Hppy

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 9, 2019

If anybody considers me not a team player, I am fine with that.

It is about boundaries. If you work extra it is because you want to, not because fixing chronic staffing problems is your responsibility.