Called in to work as a new grad?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm a brand new grad on a ICU step down/telly floor. There are alot of things that are new to me: calling dr's, administering drips, taking off orders. Now I take 4 pt's with my preceptor and charge nurse's help. I still feel like it's alot. I am on my feet from when I start at 7am and then I look at the clock and it's 2pm, and I think: I haven't taken a break, sat down and charted or even eaten today. While other nurses seem to have it SO MUCH easier. My preceptor and charge nurse have been great the past few days with all my questions though...

So now I'm off (so is my preceptor) and I was called in and asked to work for 4 hours as they are short staffed. I'm kinda scared to call back and accept even though I am available. I don't want to get stuck with 5 telly pt's because they are short staffed. Does it look bad for me not to accept the extra hours since I was just hired? My preceptor won't be there, and the person who I think is charging today is NOT helpful, like other charges!!

Normally on this floor nurses have 5-6 pt's!! :confused:

Ruby Vee:

You're RIGHT! I am NOT off orientation. I was going to ask the nurse manager for MORE orientation, actually. This floor is just so desperate for people to work! ugh...

Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
if she's not off orientation, why are they calling her in?

probably because they are woefully short staffed and are desperate for anybody. i had this happen a couple of times and replied "sorry, i'm still orientating." if they don't like it, it's tuff.

i've also seen orientees pulled from their orientation and given a full patient load to cover an unfilled sick call. and i've seen new nurses reluctantly agree with this for fear of repercussion.

nurses should never assume a facility is looking out for your best interest, we have to take care of that aspect ourselves.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I'm NOT off orientation, and my preceptor won't be there!! I just don't feel comfortable working like that.

Then don't, and don't feel bad about it either!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i agree: don't go in. although you are brand new, you are licensed and anything that happens under your license is fair game. perhaps they saw your name on the staff sheet and called you...

i disagree: not calling back to let them know you cannot make it is childish and it does not show good. be responsible. although you are still in orientation you should not forget to use your brain.. so for the person who told you to tell them you went fishing :nono: i frown on you.

you are not scheduled, you don't have to go. short staffed situations come up all the time and people say no all the time. you won't die, they won't kill you... but if you are dishonest or don't give them the courtesy of calling back and just saying you cant make it, they might really look at you as incompetent. in the future when you want a day off and need someone to work for you or you need extra money and want to be the first call in, you will look back on this

i disagree about the not calling back. i have frequently been in the position of calling 90 staff members to try to get someone to cover a shift. if everyone called me back to explain why they wouldn't/couldn't come in, it would take me six times as long to make it through my list. i want a call back from people who are willing to work it or willing to negotiate, not from anyone who has already decided the answer is no.

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You guys are so helpful. I do think this unit is so understaffed they are willing to do almost anything. They'd probably wind up giving me pt's then saying just ask the charge nurse if you have Q's.

I just have a bad feeling, and I won't be going in. Thanks.

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Specializes in (Nursing Support) Psych and rehab.
i disagree about the not calling back. i have frequently been in the position of calling 90 staff members to try to get someone to cover a shift. if everyone called me back to explain why they wouldn't/couldn't come in, it would take me six times as long to make it through my list. i want a call back from people who are willing to work it or willing to negotiate, not from anyone who has already decided the answer is no.

i don't think i advised her to give an explanation

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You don't ever have to call back to tell them you won't be in.

Only call back if you want to go in to work.

It will not reflect negatively on you, they have no way of knowing whether or not you even got the message.

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I agree: don't go in. Although you are brand new, you are licensed and anything that happens under your license is fair game. Perhaps they saw your name on the staff sheet and called you...

I disagree: not calling back to let them know you cannot make it is childish and it does not show good. Be responsible. Although you are still in orientation you should not forget to use your brain.. So for the person who told you to tell them you went fishing :nono: I frown on you.

You are not scheduled, you don't have to go. Short staffed situations come up all the time and people say no all the time. You won't die, they won't kill you... But if you are dishonest or don't give them the courtesy of calling back and just saying you cant make it, they might really look at you as incompetent. In the future when you want a day off and need someone to work for you or you need extra money and want to be the first call in, you will look back on this

No one is going to be looked at as childish or incompetent for not calling back.

In this situation, a nurse only needs to return the call if she/he wants to go in to work.

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yeah..... Im not sure what they were thinking... unless they wanted to use you as an aide, or maybe to sit as a 1:1???

I didnt realize you werent off your orientation!

Maybe staffing office isnt up to date yet on their peeps?

Good luck!

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Specializes in PP, Pediatrics, Home Health.

I wouldn't go in considering you are still working with a preceptor.

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

By no means should you go into work. You're not off orientation yet. My job didn't call me in, but while I was a new grad on orientation ..they decided to give my preceptor an assignment and me a separate assignment with the charge nurse as my resource person (what a load of crap). This happened over 2 years ago on a cardiac tele floor, but I remember it being uncomfortable. You have no obligation to pick up shifts or go to work when they call you on the phone just b/c you're an employee. You're obligated to show up for your shifts and to call in within the expected amount of time if you're not going to work (don't call in while on orientation).

P.S. I never pick up the phone when my job calls. I let it go to voice mail, listen to the message, and then decide if I want to call back or not. If I don't want to work, I don't even bother calling.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

No way should you go in. I'll take it a step further: this does not bode well if they are calling people in to work who are still on orientation. I would really watch my back on that unit, because I don't think too many people are going to have yours.

Be careful.

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Specializes in cardiac (CCU/Heart Transplant, cath lab).

You should be considered invisible while you are on orientation. Your floor should not be calling you to work independently. Don't feel sorry for them. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to help pick up shifts when you are flying solo. Good luck!

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