Contacted multiple times for same empty shift

Published

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.

Specializes in Psych, Peds, Education, Infection Control.
This is exactly what we do. Every unit keeps a list of their staff members' phone numbers. It says whether calls can be done to cell, home or both and whether they want to be called for OT on days, nights, both, or never. Then when we need OT just right down the applicable names and what time they were called and what the response was.

Now that just sounds too much like reasonable for a lot of healthcare organizations. ;)

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Specializes in ICU; Telephone Triage Nurse.
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!

What I also hated when I worked nights was the mandatory staff meetings in the middle of the day - say at 1300 ( my 0100). Of course I was expected back by 1830 later that day for report. :sniff:

One day I put up a flier in the break room: "MANDATORY STAFF MEETING THIS FRIDAY AT 0100." :smug:

Oh boy, the righteous anger and indigent complaints pouring out of panicked mouths - "... but I'm asleep then! I can't possibly come in at that time!". :nailbiting:

Yep. I know the feeling. :dead:

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Believe me, there's a lot of times I'd be happy to reschedule my plans if my employer offered a decent incentive... I never understood why employers who offer nothing but the extra hours are so surprised when it's hard to get people to come in. Not all money is good money, but sometimes money DOES talk, and quite persuasively at that.

All that an employer usually has to do to get me to work overtime is to pay the lawfully required overtime pay, but since they want to play games with the labor laws, I have learned that those overtime hours are much better spent attempting to get my required physical and mental rest.

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To Emergent RN: That you start your statement with, "At one of my jobs..." tells me all I need to know. God bless you for the hard work that you do. And, your final resolution, perfect! :-)

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Turn off your phone! Don't Be guilty in wanting a life separate of work!

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