Contacted multiple times for same empty shift

greenerpastures · Jun 24, 2017

I'm on vacation. I left a note on the schedule not to call me between date A &B. They called two days into my vacation. I contacted a coworker to put the note BACK on the schedule that someone had removed, because, obviously, they didn't get my point!

Don't ever feel guilty about not calling back, or for not answering when they call. I tell people all the time "This is my job, not my life."

Also, I get mad when people call me in the middle of the day if I'm sleeping; how about I call you in the middle of the night to see if you want to work? OH WAIT, you're already on the schedule, SORRY to wake you!

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jun 25, 2017

I would just shut my phone off.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 25, 2017

At one of my jobs I've been contacted four or five times regarding an empty shift tomorrow night. The latest contact was demanding that I call back whether I wanted to work or not. I've already told them several times that I can't work due to a previous commitment.
I decided to ignore the call and go on with my life.

I use an app called "Mr.Number" It allows me to block or unblock numbers effortlessly. When I block a number I have the option of sending it to voicemail, or simply blocking it leaving the caller no opportunity to leave me any message. It also blocks text messages. When blocked the person texting me gets a message that "message could not be sent".

Stop dealing with unprofessional behavior and let technology do it for you.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2017

If they are demanding that you call them back it is in your best interests to do so. Obviously once you are on the phone they plan to try and guilt/ pressure you into accepting the shift. Be ready to politely and firm restate "I am unavailable".

I disagree. I have no obligation to answer calls from my employer outside of working hours. I am fortunate in my current position that I have a work cell phone. It goes OFF at 5:30 pm nightly and stays off from 5:30 pm Friday until 9 am Monday. If I am away, calls get forwarded to my office and the phone physically either stays in my locker or at home.

Emergent, RN · Jun 25, 2017

The problem at this job is they don't have an organized way of keeping track of who has been contacted. On different days different people just go down the list.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jun 25, 2017

The problem at this job is they don't have an organized way of keeping track of who has been contacted. On different days different people just go down the list.

Just continue to ignore calls & send the calls to voicemail. You have told someone multiple times "no". You don't even need to give them a reason. No mean no.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 25, 2017

The problem at this job is they don't have an organized way of keeping track of who has been contacted. On different days different people just go down the list.

"No" is a complete sentence.

Perhaps at the next staff meeting you could suggest keeping track of who has been contacted and the answer that was given.

amoLucia · Jun 25, 2017

Just to be fair and hear the other side of this issue is to recognize that the staffing coord or nsg supervisor is being EXPECTED to make the calls from the higher PTB. So that person has little choice except to make the call. I've been THAT person many times.

Also there is no real effective way to keep track of any previous calls made. So again, calls are made.

And yes, I have made phone calls to folk on vacation. My error and I apologize. But there could be worse things to happen.

Just don't answer the phone or let technology handle the call.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2017

Just to be fair and hear the other side of this issue is to recognize that the staffing coord or nsg supervisor is being EXPECTED to make the calls from the higher PTB. So that person has little choice except to make the call. I've been THAT person many times.
Also there is no real effective way to keep track of any previous calls made. So again, calls are made.
And yes, I have made phone calls to folk on vacation. My error and I apologize. But there could be worse things to happen.
Just don't answer the phone or let technology handle the call.

In the olden days, we would get a piece of paper, like in a notebook, and write down who we called, when, and response.

I don't understand why you say there is no real effective way to keep track of previously made calls. I'm sure the same method I described could still be done by hand or even on a computer.

Lady_Leijing, BSN · Jun 25, 2017

If they persist, let them know once again that you are unavailable.

I worked on a chronically understaffed Med-Surg unit that was bad about this. They called me to see if I would come in during a scheduled vacation. I was literally out of the country for a week. I come back from Ireland, reconnect to AT&T, and immediately have a voicemail asking me to call and let them know if I could come in to work that night. My flight back to my home city wouldn't get in until 6pm. Needless to say, I didn't go in.

audreysmagic, RN · Jun 25, 2017

I used to get guilted into extra shifts because I liked the person who was calling and/or wanted to be a team player, and I always regretted it. Burned myself to a crisp that way. Now I have very little trouble saying I can't do it. I do usually call back to say no or ask if a deal can be made ("I'll do it, if I can get Monday off"), if the call arrives at a reasonable hour (for MY schedule - I'm on nights and I absolutely silence my phone when I sleep unless I'm expecting a very important call, which isn't often). But I don't lose much time worrying about it if I happen to miss a call while doing something else and notice it much later.

The last day of my vacation earlier this month, I got a call from work about an open shift that night, which I was inclined to answer as it rang...if only for the amusement value of telling them, "Seeing as I'm halfway across the country right now...nah."

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 25, 2017

For those who have difficulty saying no, and don't own a smart phone that can be easily set up to deal with these things, a good excuse is "I'm drunk".

Used it many times in the old days before cell phones. I don't know about women, but for me as a man it had the added benifits of making me seem like I had a great social life.