Do you answer your phone on your day off?

Nurseinprocess · Jul 30, 2010

Nope! I let them leave a message and then I listen to see what they want or who it is later.

R.NICU · Jul 30, 2010

I check the caller ID and if it is work I let the answering machine pick up.I listen to the message and then think carefully about my answer.I find if I pick up and talk to them I find myself saying yes to a shift I don't really want.

Ditto! I'm sorry but when I'm at work, I bend over backwards, do all kinds of flips, and jump through various hoops to get the job done. I need my time away from work to maintain my sanity. On a few occassions, and after careful consideration I have returned the phone call..However, I don't fell obligated to. These instances are excellent times to utilize PRN staff.

clemmm78, RN · Jul 30, 2010

When I was in that situation, I felt it was better to answer the phone and say "no, I can't" to any request I didn't want to do. I don't want to screen my calls; I like to answer my phone in case it's someone I want to speak with. Do I feel guilty when I said no? Sometimes. But I still refuse to let anyone hold me hostage.

MSNorBUST · Jul 30, 2010

H#$% to the NOOO!!! We work hard, and we deserve a day off.

allnurses Guide · Jul 30, 2010

I once had an employer that thought they were fooling everyone by using blocked numbers. I definitely knew which calls not to take when I saw that giveaway on my caller ID!

Well, how creative!! :lol2: Like they think "if ---UNAVAILABLE--or ---private number---or 000-000-0000 shows up on the caller ID you're going to answer it?? :uhoh21: That reminds me of the old Saturday Night Live sketch of the Land Shark. "Plumber!-- Candygram!-- etc til the person finally opens the door and the Land Shark attacks - fellow seventies nurses may remember that one.

As one who is easily guilt-tripped, I don't answer the phone. I used to give in a lot and I felt stressed out and resentful, especially when I knew that the same flaky nurses call off on a regular basis with lame excuses- OK sometimes they are in a real bind, but not very often; and why should I make myself miserable for people who don't give a cr*p about anyone else?

anonymurse · Jul 30, 2010

Always, if it's work calling. If it's about taking an extra shift, and I can make it, and it's a night shift, I say yes. If it's for a swap that won't interrupt family doings, I say yes. Otherwise, I decline, but I always answer, and I always thank them for the call.

crb613, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2010

Yes I do answer...If I want to go in I will,if I don't I say no.

Sparrowhawk · Jul 30, 2010

I always answer...and I usually say no. Once I say yes they've got me and expect it and then the guilt trips start and the burnout...been there donet here ain't going back. My days off are mine.

himilayaneyes · Jul 30, 2010

when i see my job calling, i let it go to voicemail and then decided if i want to call them back. i have a regular full time job and i do agency...so i never do overtime at my regular job..and no i don't feel guilty telling them no. enjoy your day off girl...believe they won't feel guilty about anything they do to you.

bill4745, RN · Jul 30, 2010

I tend to feel guilty when i see who's calling, and don't answer!

I don't answer either, but there is no guilt!

sassy_cassie · Jul 30, 2010

I usually let it go to voicemail if it is my part-time job. If it is my PRN job I answer becasue thats how you get PRN shifts. I like to listen to them on the voicemail so I can make a decision and then call them back. 9 times out of 10 if I wait long enough to call them back they have found someone else. A couple of nurses have got tricky and call from their personal cell phones even though they are at work.

SlightlyMental_RN · Jul 30, 2010

I don't like to answer, but I call them right back and let them know if it's yea or nay. By not answering, I can think about what I truly want to do and not be pressured into accepting a shift I don't want.

I have to tell you guys, though, that I have been told to come in to work because they're really desperate...AFTER I've let them know that I've had a couple of drinks. AND...I work at a alcohol and drug treatment unit. Nice, huh? Obviously, I've said no way, no how.