Being called in to work extra.. ALL. THE. TIME!

kakamegamama · May 8, 2016

The word "no" can be your best friend sometimes.

Dranger · May 8, 2016

Every day.

I always say no or don't answer.

**LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM** · May 8, 2016

I hate to say no all the time

Why??? They don't have a problem running their employees ragged in order to avoid hiring more staff, so why feel guilty about it?

Mandychelle79, ASN, RN · May 8, 2016

If I am sleeping after a night shift my phone is on do not disturb and only certain people can call and not go directly to voicemail. However right now when they call it's usually not for more hours but to tell you to stay home for the day.

Creamsoda, ASN, RN · May 8, 2016

Get called all the time. Why do you hate to say no? You signed on to work your regular full time hours. Nothing more...unless you want it. You do not need to feel guilty for saying no. Your employer doesnt blink an eye at the fact that you say no. They just move on to the next nurse to call. They probably call you all the time because you say yes all the time. So why wouldnt they call you? An even better way to handle it is dont answer the phone. If they call, they will leave a message. Then you can think about it for a minute, or 10 and decide if you really want to go in. Under no pressure because your not on the line with some who sounds desperate to fix their staffing. And if you dont want to? You dont call them back. End of story. No guilty feelings. I NEVER answer my phone if its work calling (unless its 5:30 in the am on a day im supposed to work...theyre probably putting me on call! Yes please!)

Just dont answer the phone. If you dont want to work extra, someone else probably does. If they dont either, eventually theyre going to have to fill more full time positions.

DeeAngel · May 8, 2016

Stop answering your phone when they call! It isn't hard to figure out how to deal with this.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · May 8, 2016

Do.not.answer. phone.

caliotter3 · May 8, 2016

My prior employer called me frequently for months after I had quit and moved out of the state. In that case, I did answer a few times to let them know that I was no longer an employee. They kept calling, anyway.

What? You mean you didn't take that red eye to get there on time?

Wrench Party · May 9, 2016

I rarely get called to work OT (I have another job to get paid my $$). Just remind yourself, healthcare is part of the capitalist game, and you need to be able to play it well.

In other words, control your employment situation, or it will control you.

nurseinthezoo · May 9, 2016

Caller ID works good to screen calls. Another option would be to answer the phone and kindly decline the offer to work extra. That works good too. Don't let this make you sick. The staffers are doing their jobs trying to get coverage.

bossman · May 9, 2016

Stop screening calls. I signed for 1.0 FTE and my contract writes that. If I want some extra time I could pick it up but don't have to. When the phone rings I answer "hey bossman we need another nurse for tonight can you do it?" "No" "why not?" "because I don't want to." It is not my job to fill the schedule. I signed on for 1.0 FTE and if I don't want to work more then I don't have to and won't feel bad for not fulfilling more of my schedule. We had a meeting recently where the administration got on their high horse talking about how we need to fill empty shifts. I offered that for every shift the nurse administrator filled I would fill one. Still have yet to have to fill one.

Palliative Care, DNP · May 9, 2016

Caller I.D.......I trained my kids what numbers to not answer.