Can you believe this???

[MelRN13]

On Friday night, my only night off this week, I was at my niece's birthday party when I got a call from work.

It was the nursing supervisor trying to mandate me to come in on my day off-I could not believe it! She was rude and almost demanding me to leave my family function and come to work, 30 minutes before shift change.

I obviously refused to go to work, and then she informed me that I may be subject to disiplinary action.

Has anyone else ever experienced anything like this, and can my employer legally DEMAND me to come in on my day off on short notice?

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Originally posted by fab4fan

Good answer...and you can say it without feeling that you've lied (you're not specifying what it was you were drinking).

Good one...teeheee

[cannoli]

Trust me, they try the same thing on seasoned nurses too.

Wouldn't you just like to tell them where to go?

I use caller ID and my answering machine, but we shouldn't have to be afraid to answer our own telephone.

I've gotten caught a couple of times, my husband, for some reason has to answer the phone on the first ring, I have told him if I have been canceled do not answer that phone, check the caller ID. If he does it now, and comes and tells me they are on the phone, I will not go to the phone, and let him handle it however he wants to. I think he thought it was funny the first time I had to go back in after I was canceled, I don't think he thinks it's funny anymore!

I think what they do is harrassment. The agency is just as bad as the hospital.

They want to make money for themselves off of our backs and our license. They are not the ones who have to work under horrible, stressful conditons and they are not the ones who have the responsibility and liability.

[SmilingBluEyes]

never ever tell people you have been drinking.......they don't need to know that period. none of their biz what you do w/your time.

learn EARLY to screen calls and don't say yes when you mean no. your time is YOURS not theirs and you got only so much of life to live. no guilt, no pain, just say no. or don't pick up. it's that simple.

[dotgirl]

I believe NS take class on how to rude.

Someone should tell them that being rude will get them no where. Now and not in the future. If they feel the need to be rude and hateful--- I will never go in extra if they call.

[angelbear]

When I first started in nursing at a nursing home I picked up all the time. I was guilted, bribed, told I was not a team player, told that since I was only part time I should be willing to help out. I did that for two yrs. When I started at this place I made it clear I did not intend to pick up time, I wanted part time for a reason. They tried a few times but when I repeated that I was part time and intended to keep it that way they quit trying. They dont even call me anymore. I have picked up exactly 2 times for a friend and once volunteered to come in during a heavy snow that is it in 2.5 yrs. I dont feel guilty either they are paid to cover if need be that is part of there job description not mine. Oddly enough I have never seen them come in and work a shift on the floor. Wonder why that is?

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

I, personally, would never use a mental impairment (drinking) excuse.

A simple "no, but thank-you for offering me the hours" is enough. You do not need to give them a reason/excuse.

However, if you could us the $, you could negotiate. Play a little hard-to-get...you may get a nice little bonus!

[Agnus]

It is all about guilt. These people do not have the skill to solve problems effectively (or the forsight to prevent them) They are manipulators.

I was in a situation as charge nurse where I needed desperately for a nurse to come in in the middle of my shift on a weekend. I called everyone. When i talked to the nurse manager I said that I would not guilt anyone to come in. His reply was, " you should. They should feel guilty for at sometime they will call in themselves."

I reacall another situation where I was a cna for an agency. The agnecy covered home care and facilities. I did 8 hours with a home care patient that used me for basically the convenience of haveing someone to take her out to fancy restaurants and to shlep her purchases on shopping sprees. She had lost of available family and could easily been left uncovered. They had even signed a contract that said that at time the agency might not have coverage.

I called in well before the required 2hours prior to my shift. My nurse manager (the agency owner) told me I was suposed to call in 2 hours before any facility started thier shift. Now she had sent everyone out to facilities and no one could cover me. She began a diatribe about how much trouble I caused etc. etc. I was too sick to deal with this and told her so and hung up. She called back, and started in agin.

On the other hand I have had really desperate managers call me in and appologetically ask for me to come in. When I had to decline they were wonderful. Guess who I will go out of my way to help when I can. Guess who I will never help.

It's the old honey and vinagar theory.