Do you answer your phone on your day off?

Nurses General Nursing

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It seems like whenever i have a scheduled day off...my phone is ringing. "Can you come in and help out..."

"We are kind of in a bind today, need someone for PM shift.." I really just wish for a day, where i can relax and not be bothered by work!! So I am curious what others do, Do you answer your phone on your day off? I tend to feel guilty when i see who's calling, and don't answer!

If you don't care for yourself, your work as a nurse will suffer. Consider it a favor to your patients.

If you feel guilty, assess yourself before anyone calls. Ask whether you are in need of rest, socializing, whether your other relationships should get some of your time, if you have anything planned, etc. Basically decide first thing if you can honestly go to work that day without causing negative consequences for yourself, your patients, or your loved ones. Then either answer the phone or don't based on what you've already decided. (I'm assuming this is not your on-call day.)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

I belong to a union and both my worksites (LTC and acute care) have the same central scheduling office. THere are guidelines that must be followed per union rules. If I make myself unavailable, they CAN NOT phone me. If I am available and they phone, I can either accept or decline the shift. I do not have to provide a reason and the scheduler can not ask me again, lay a guilt trip or any such thing. They say "thank you" and hang up.

So, typically I do answer and if it's a shift/ward I want to work on and decide from there. It's a good system. I never feel guilty if I say no.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.
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.

You are exactly right; utilizing PRN staff is a great idea. I work in a float prn pool. Guess what? I work three 12 a week and still be called on my days off. When I do work most of time because they short staff from the start or someone called in.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i belong to a union and both my worksites (ltc and acute care) have the same central scheduling office. there are guidelines that must be followed per union rules. if i make myself unavailable, they can not phone me. if i am available and they phone, i can either accept or decline the shift. i do not have to provide a reason and the scheduler can not ask me again, lay a guilt trip or any such thing. they say "thank you" and hang up.

so, typically i do answer and if it's a shift/ward i want to work on and decide from there. it's a good system. i never feel guilty if i say no.

unions in general make for a good system for most people. i remember working in union hospitals and you're right -- no coercion or manipulation went on. it was "can you help us out?" and if the answer was no, they said thank you. same thing when we called in sick. they couldn't ask why and if someone did, it was a big deal. you could complain to management about it, and they'd back you up.

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Your time is your time unless you are "on call" in the sense that a physician is "on-call" or a a DON or ADON is "on-call" (salaried, management). If you aren't any of the above, then you are not obliged.

Whether you work another agency job, have a hobby or club you belong to, or have family obligations, it's your business. And you don't have to explain yourself or describe what other obligations you have. If they want to press it, ask them to make you an ADON and offer you a salaried position.

Personally I have had a 100% "yes" rate when asked to come in, even on top of full-time. I am always there to help and I want management to know that I am a team player. But if one ever feels like they are being abused (being asked to voice in on meetings or explain a bunch of stuff over the phone or make plans- anything more than a few quick questions), I would make it clear that I'm not getting paid for this $^!#! Talking work over the phone is working off the clock, and that's illegal. Period.

You do not have a contract that says you have to be on call- otherwise you would be provided a pager or cell or you'd be writing your cell phone off on your tax returns.

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Specializes in med-surg, ID, #, ED.

Hate calls like this. But unfortunately we have to pick it up in Singapore if not verbal warnings will be given. We have a call-tree exercise incase of national crisis we have to be activated immediately so any call from the hospital could be the exercise ANYDAY without warning, so we gotta pick it up.

If you cant work or you don't want to work, just be honest and speak to them about it. Imagine you are the one calling your colleagues and none of them wants to pick it up...

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Specializes in LTC.

I like to pick up extra hours. I had a few 70 hour weeks a few months ago until payroll caught on... ha!

However, my current employer is sulking because I am getting my WCC cert, and after I requested additional hours to help cover it, they cut me off completely.... bleh

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I always answer my phone. If I want to pick up a shift, I say yes. If not, I say no.

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Specializes in Intermediate care.

i never answer on my day off. I'm not allowed to use my phone at work, so i won't answer my work phone when i'm at home.

If i feel it is important, i will call them back when i have a chance. But i will not go out of my way to get back to them "as soon as possible." Yes, i'll call you back. but only when it is convenient for me and is not interrupting my time with my family.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

I do answer not only because I can say no without feeling guilty, but also because I've been the one making the call, hoping someone can work. I'd rather receive a "no" than leave a message and hope for a call back.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

I solved my phone dilemma of being rung on days off once and for all. It might work for you.

I told my work from now on, I won't be answering any blocked/private numbers from them or anyone else. I am so sick of people canvassing me for new phone plans, ringing me to join a sex club (a brothel actually) - yes, this is a true story! and getting general abuse over the phone! And funnily enough they never tell you how they got your number - they just hang up of course.

So all my callers now have to unblock their number so their name comes up on the screen, or they must send me a text message with name & contact details. I sent this out to everyone I know, and it's on my emails and CV. If they don't supply details, the call goes unanswered. They're learning - slowly.

Get voicemail if this becomes a problem and here's another radical idea - jut don't answer the phone. It's your day off not theirs!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.
Hate calls like this. But unfortunately we have to pick it up in Singapore if not verbal warnings will be given. We have a call-tree exercise incase of national crisis we have to be activated immediately so any call from the hospital could be the exercise ANYDAY without warning, so we gotta pick it up.

Isn't this just another form of blackmail??

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