Days off

Nurses Stress 101

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I guess this is a rant. Even before COVID, there have been staff shortages. I know I only work 8 hrs 5 days a week, but we have average 26 pts in skilled nursing, mix of long term and rehab. I've gone 2 weeks with no day off and the workday does not finish at 8 hrs, more like 10 because of all the charting for more than 2 dozen pts. You look forward to your scheduled days off, but then they ask for you to come in... I can't believe the rules that At Will employees can be fired for not coming in when asked by an employer. That sounds harsh to me, I'm worried about coming in not well rested and making mistakes. Although I've never heard of anyone having their job threatened for not coming in on their scheduled off day, it seems counter productive to have a tired person coming in. Lucky are those that have unions with rules in effect. When you're trying to medicate, chart and do everything in between for 2 dozen pts, after a few days fatigue sets in, and rest and reset time is important, or at least I thought it was since we're caring for people...

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

You are under no obligation to answer the phone on your day off. They can leave a voicemail and you can decide to answer it or not. You need to establish boundaries or they will continue to ask more and more. Teach them that their staff shortages will not be solved by just working their current staff to exhaustion.

9 Votes
Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
10 hours ago, nurseguy213 said:

 You look forward to your scheduled days off, but then they ask for you to come in... I can't believe the rules that At Will employees can be fired for not coming in when asked by an employer.

If this is actually a policy, I would highly consider looking elsewhere. I know certain facilities can mandate workers to stay/work over time as it part of their organization's policies and whatnot (I.e. mental health facilities) and employees are notified/educated about that before actual employment, but I've never heard of a SNF firing employees for not coming in when asked by their employer. Definitely would look for a job elsewhere.

But yeah, never feel guilty for not picking up the phone or responding to a text about an extra shift. Normally staffing at my location will send out a text, but when staffing is extremely short the manager calls/leaves voicemail. I don't even call back when a voicemail is left. They usually tend to ask why I can't come in or bargain when I used to return the calls, but it's simple, I'll call back or I'll call staffing if I do want a shift. And it always bugs me when management asks why I can't come in extra. None yo bzness.

2 Votes

If they are so short staffed employees are working their scheduled days plus coming in on off days, I HIGHLY doubt they are going to terminate anyone. 

You have a right and duty to YOURSELF to make sure you are safe to work - for yourself, your coworkers and patients. If you are working the hours as indicated above on a continuous basis that is cause of alarm as it would not be safe (in my opinion). 

If the expectation of your employer is to consistently work like you have stated, it would behoove you to look for another job asap. That kind of employment is not sustainable.

3 Votes
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 4/22/2021 at 1:14 AM, barcode120x said:

 I know certain facilities can mandate workers to stay/work over time as it part of their organization's policies and whatnot (I.e. mental health facilities).

I have worked Mental Health for close to 20 years in a "At Will" state and have never found this to be the case. I was mandated for more overtime in acute care than I have ever been in Mental Health. I do mostly leave on time and don't answer my phone on my day off. 

Hppy

Find the policy that states you can be fired for not working your scheduled day off. If it doesn't exist, don't answer or tell them no if they ask in person. You have a duty to be safe, but first and foremost you have a duty to protect your health and mental sanity. You need to rest. 'Me time' is imperative. As someone else said, if they're that short I wouldn't be worried about termination. If they do shoot themselves in the foot, be thankful because they're running you in the ground and abusing you anyway. Nurse burnout is very real!

2 Votes
On 4/21/2021 at 5:31 PM, nurseguy213 said:

I can't believe the rules that At Will employees can be fired for not coming in when asked by an employer. That sounds harsh to me,

Yes. But understand that, in general, at-will employees can be terminated for any reason that is not discriminatory.

On 4/21/2021 at 5:31 PM, nurseguy213 said:

You look forward to your scheduled days off, but then they ask for you to come in

As others have advised you, you need to just say no. You need to get comfortable with that. Just be professional but very straightforward about it, such as, "I'm not available tomorrow." That is it. You don't need to come up with an excuse; you don't owe them any explanation at all. For some people this is a little uncomfortable at first because we have been conditioned to think that this sort of straightforward communication is not "nice." That is wrong. It is nothing. Others' responses are on them and are not about you.

You need to attend to your own needs which have already been mentioned by you and others. You need to be safe at work. And...you also want to avoid resentment and other negative emotions.

Take care of yourself!! ??

3 Votes
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