Do nurses who pick-up extra shifts get favoritism?

elkpark · Mar 19, 2008

I think it's perfectly reasonable for administrative people to show some appreciation for the people who are willing to help out when the unit is in a tight spot -- what do you mean by "excessive or unfair favoritism"?

tntrn, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

I hate it when the kudos go out to "those of you who STEPPED UP" because I see it as a thinly veiled tsk-tsk to those who didn't. Those who don't have good reasons for not doing it and that's that. When they work extra, they get OT pay and that should be enough. No favoritism.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

If I Miss Mgr am in a bind and need to call in someone to work an extra shift, am I going to be happy when some one says yes? Am I going to remember that when they have a request that I can help them with.

You bet.

Is it favoritisms or is it "I scratch your back if you scratch mine?"

I am only sched two 12hour shifts a week. I do that because I have a busy home life and dont want to over commit. But I have always let mgmt know, they can call me and if able I will work. Odds are I am able about 75% of the time. I am one of the 1st people they call, because it just saves time from going down a list. If I can work I do. If I cant, I dont.

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

I used to work 12 hour midnights, and it was known throughout the department that I loathed the thought of days. However, one weekend, we had too much staff for 7p-7a, and not enough for 7a-7p. My PCC called me and asked me to time change Sunday night to Sunday day. I agreed and received a great assignment. My PCC did that for me because she knew I wasn't used to the business of day shift. Also, when we had day shift nurses work midnights, we did the same thing. (We didn't "bump" people from their previous assignment if they were coming back, however; THAT would be favoritism!) That seems pretty fair to me. I do know that when I've been asked to time change or work overtime and I declined, I was treated no different the next time I came to work. Perhaps it was the department. I just know that people who were asked to alter their original plans were rewarded with a good assignment or the best tech or whatever because of the fact that they were willing to do it for the floor. And people who were unable to do that were treated no worse just because they couldn't do more than their necessary obligations.

Jess

texas_lvn · Mar 19, 2008

I hate it when the kudos go out to "those of you who STEPPED UP" because I see it as a thinly veiled tsk-tsk to those who didn't. Those who don't have good reasons for not doing it and that's that. When they work extra, they get OT pay and that should be enough. No favoritism.

I disagree, I see it as a thanks for not letting the nurses that would be short staffed be that way. sure we get the OT, but a small pat on the back goes a far way also. I have to admit I would rather hear it from YOU than management, but whatever floats peoples boats!:redbeathe:redbeathe

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

Worked with a nurse who worked 1 sometimes 2 OT shifts a week. No one said a thing about her OT, then facility had a slump, long term regular staff were getting hours cut but she was still getting 1 shift of OT a week. Needless to say, staff complaints went through the roof. She got angry and cussed us all at the desk one day. Staff meeting was held and we were told to get over our drama. A once well staff floor lost 8 nurses in less than 6 weeks. NM was finally replaced but some good nurses left d/t unfair treatment by NM. So favoritism or whatever you call it ruined a good unit.

tntrn, ASN, RN · Mar 19, 2008

I disagree, I see it as a thanks for not letting the nurses that would be short staffed be that way. sure we get the OT, but a small pat on the back goes a far way also. I have to admit I would rather hear it from YOU than management, but whatever floats peoples boats!:redbeathe:redbeathe

A pat on the back and a Thanks for coming in, is different from favoritism. That's fine and those who choose to do so, should get, at the very least, a thank you. But if they are given preference in future schedules or assignments, I disagree with that. It's their choice to do more, and once the others have done what they are scheduled to do, it's their choice and right to protect their private time and days off.

And of course, the nurses who are benefitting from the extra help are happy and grateful. I hope everybody who's ever "stepped up" gets that from their co-workers.

CHATSDALE · Mar 19, 2008

i don't know what unfair/excessive favortism occured which caused op to post but i do know that when you have someone to come in when nurses are really short it is good for nurses and patients alike

even those who cannot or prefer not to work extra benefit from a nurse who comes in when help is short and work is busy

nursynursenursenurse · Mar 19, 2008

Yeah, this is a double-edged sword. Our unit has been very short-staffed lately. I get called all the time, and I usually say no. It's very hard for me to pick up with short notice. But I do pitch in and pick up shifts ahead of time to cover holes in the schedule. It does get annoying, though....when I come in and pick up and almost invariably get asked to lengthen the shift I picked up....like hey, while you're here, why don't you stay 12 hours instead of just four? Can't they ever just say thank you? I got called three times one day to ask me to come in....THREE times!!! In 24 hours!!! And two of the three were for shifts that started less than one hour after the call. They also called me on maternity leave to ask me to pick up....and it wasn't because they forgot I was on leave, because the call went something like, "I don't know when you're coming back from maternity leave, but...." You know the rest. It seems on my unit, the reward for picking up is that they know you might say yes, so they bug you even more. Sorry for the rant.

merellis2009 · Mar 19, 2008

If a nurse on our floor agrees to stay late (ie: 3 hours) or come in early on short notice then she gets a meal coupon for a free meal. The NM's are very appreciative but so far I've not seen outright "favoritism" played out....

shellsgogreen · Mar 19, 2008

I wouldn't call this favoritism, but they do look favorably upon those who jump in at the last minute when someone's out, and you know what, it's appreciated all around by the rest of us nurses who would otherwise have to pick up extra patients. The powers that be do ask us frequently for OT, and are they disappointed when we say no? Sure. But that may be the reality of any understaffed and overworked units.

From what I've observed on my unit, those who are favored, there's usually other things that they are doing that the management are impressed by also.