Called in on days off...what to do?!?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello All!

My situation is a little different because I am a "supervisor" on a medsurg floor at a very small hospital. Basically I take patients and deal with any issues that arise on the nights I'm there. I work 6 on and 8 off, which was a huge reason to take the position. However we are extremely understaffed and the answer from upper management has been , "everyone will have to pick up."

I'm relatively new to this hospital I've been there 5 months and it has been like this the whole time. I have picked up extra shifts where there were holes, usually one or two on my 8 days off but now nurses are calling off in addition to the holes that are already there. I suspect burnout from constantly working overtime.

I feel guilty saying no because I am a "supervisor" though my time away is important too. I work my six in a row and feel like adding more is too much at one time. I don't know what to do. I like my job but I don't want it to be my life. It's frustrating because nothing is being done about the staffing. Should I just suck it up and work?

Thanks!

Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.

Or just don't answer the phone/text.

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Specializes in ICU.
I used to feel guilty about not helping out because I've been the staff on duty when short and wouldn't want my coworkers to suffer. Then one day I woke up and realized it is NOT my problem.

Administration's answer was to have critical staffing bonus and other incentives. It is working. People are picking up extra shifts every other week and at the end of the campaign's term, they get a hefty extra check.

My time off is more valuable to me right now than the extra money, but if I could do it, I would. My self-care is most important...which, again, is why I no longer feel guilty turning down extra shifts.

They do this at my facility as well. I wait until the critical bonus shifts and then may pick up one, here and there. It's not regular, and I never feel guilty for not doing it. My time is my time. What I chose to do with it is my choice. If I want to earn a few extra bucks, they better make it worth my while. And honestly, that's how it should be.

Their failure to hire and staff is not my issue. But I do like earning a big paycheck sometimes. I do my have to, but extra money now, is more retirement money later!!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I would pick up occasionally if it suited me. Aside from that, I would avoid their calls and not answer the phone. You are not obligated to an employer on your scheduled days off.

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Specializes in OR,Pre op, PACU.

It's just very frustrating. Management keeps sending out emails about how everyone needs to think of the TEAM. They are offering $5 per hour shift incentive but even with that no one has picked up. To top it all off my manager went on vacation for a week and a half....not that everyone doesn't deserve a vacation but that doesn't seem very team like. I am so over feeling guilty about not wanting to go in on my day off.ugh.

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I set my rules out ahead of time. I need at least a $200 bonus to work on my week where I'm only scheduled three days. I think management can spare $200 for the sake of the team.

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Well then maybe management should also "think of the team" and hire some more staff to join "the team".

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I'm convinced that they do get it, they just don't care and we aren't applying any pressure to make them start "caring". As long as nurses keep accepting overtime shifts (a.k.a. filling the holes) instead of demanding that the employer come up with a viable longterm solution, management will just keep doing what they're currently doing.

This is so true. It's not just your smaller facility; it's a nationwide problem. Management doesn't really care. Their bottom line is the dollar.

They depend on the guilt you feel to fill all those holes. I don't care what position you play, stop filling the holes. I think the real reason you do it, is because you're afraid they may find a reason to get rid of you. You may not realize it, but it's an absolute underlying factor. It's implemented by management to keep us inline. Everyone's replaceable. Sorry, me no play.

No union?

Another thing is that OT puts me in another tax bracket where I end up going home with less money then if I hadn't worked OT...

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Specializes in OR,Pre op, PACU.

Yes you are right. I worry that not covering the open shifts as the supervisor could give the hospital reason to fire me. There is a union but my position is non union which really makes me nervous.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Just say no. You have all the responsibilities of supervision, but none of the authority. The suits love stuff like this. Say no and don't pick up. Get on with a happy life. If this is not possible, maybe seek another position that does not confer the sense of responsiblity you have, without any authority to make changes. That is my best advice.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
It's just very frustrating. Management keeps sending out emails about how everyone needs to think of the TEAM. They are offering $5 per hour shift incentive but even with that no one has picked up. To top it all off my manager went on vacation for a week and a half....not that everyone doesn't deserve a vacation but that doesn't seem very team like. I am so over feeling guilty about not wanting to go in on my day off.ugh.

My manager initiated "Emergency Pay" or some such title. Basically it means you get double time for an extra shift if it's labeled "EP". After awhile, that got old so now we're getting double time and a half -- which for some of us works out to $130/hour or more. That $5/hour is nothing.

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Yes you are right. I worry that not covering the open shifts as the supervisor could give the hospital reason to fire me. There is a union but my position is non union which really makes me nervous.

I have been in this exact position. I am so sorry. Perhaps someone else can advise who has been in this position as well and continued to work at the same place.

I put my foot down and said no. It worked for awhile but they started feeling the pinch. Shortly after that things got tense; I no longer work there. I had worked at this state run facility for > 8 years. Management was ruthless ( they change management often). I did resign, but as I look back I'm glad I did it. You just keep thinking; maybe things will change, maybe they'll see the light.

As the supervisor, do they require you to answer the phone on your days off? I would get a copy of a clear and concise job description for your position. Make a journal and document; document every time they call you (dates, time, etc...), response, action. If you have a smart phone there are voice recording apps that can record calls (or just take good notes). When they call (when your ready), decline, you do not have to give any excuse. It's "your" day off; unless they can point to some caveat that states you must be made available on your days off.

I would also talk to an employment lawyer. You would be surprised at the amount of rights workers have. Unfortunately, most supervisor positions come with having to answer on days off.

When they call; are they giving you a choice, or telling you to come in?

Why did the last supervisor leave?

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Specializes in OR,Pre op, PACU.

I have only been in this position 6 months so I really don't want to leave so soon yet I feel like they didn't tell me the whole truth in the interview. I applied for a staff nurse position but because I had charge nurse experience that asked me to accept the supervisor position. I had no previous medsurg experience which should have been my first clue. How do you supervise something you've never done?

I've been primarily in the OR/PACU for my nursing career and I came to the floor with hopes of learning nursing skills. Well I had 6 shifts of orientation total for the floor and as a house supervisor. I was told "you figure it out as you go." That alone has left a sour taste in my mouth.

They pitched me a sweet schedule (6 nights on and 8 off) which is a big reason why I took this job. I think I've had a full 8 days off once and never have I made it through a stretch off without multiple phone calls and sometimes threatening texts about picking up shifts. I cannot find anywhere in my job description that says I have to available on days off. The most it says is that I am responsible for staffing during my scheduled shift.

This whole thing is just very disappointing. Ive been saying no or not answering but I'm not sure how long I will be able to get away with it.

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