DOC Guilt-Tripping Me To Accept Call-Ins

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Specializes in LTC.

I work night shifts full-time at a LTC and every single time I get called in, it is not the scheduling clerk who calls me but the DRC who guilt trips me into saying yes to the shift. I get called into work every other weekend, asking if I can work an evening shift before my scheduled night shift. She repeatedly says that "she's in dire need of an RN and how she really needs my help this week". But she says this every other weekend as my LTC works on a 2 week schedule. Am I wrong to feel guilty that I say no this week? 

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Specializes in school nurse.

Are you wrong to feel guilty about saying no?

Yes.

She's "in dire need of hiring more nurses".

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Is she wrong in feeling upset because you don't answer your phone? 

Yes.

She's "in dire need of hiring more nurses".

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1 hour ago, amanda269 said:

I work night shifts full-time at a LTC and every single time I get called in, it is not the scheduling clerk who calls me but the DRC who guilt trips me into saying yes to the shift. I get called into work every other weekend, asking if I can work an evening shift before my scheduled night shift. She repeatedly says that "she's in dire need of an RN and how she really needs my help this week". But she says this every other weekend as my LTC works on a 2 week schedule. Am I wrong to feel guilty that I say no this week? 

Why are you answering the phone?

If you plan to continue answering, keep it simple. "I'm sorry ...I can't come in tonight." Don't bother with explanations, as they are not necessary. Just keep repeating, "I'm sorry ...I can't come in tonight."

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Specializes in LTC.
On 11/27/2020 at 4:21 PM, Sour Lemon said:

Why are you answering the phone?

If you plan to continue answering, keep it simple. "I'm sorry ...I can't come in tonight." Don't bother with explanations, as they are not necessary. Just keep repeating, "I'm sorry ...I can't come in tonight."

I feel like I have to answer the phone or else theyll have a bad rep of me, I only started this job a few months ago. A part of me thinks that Ill get in trouble if I don't receive the call as it is the DRC that is calling me. I've also heard from another ft RN that she also gets pressured into saying yes for shifts as well. I know its not right but I feel like im the odd one out for saying no. I've never had this problem at my other job as there was alway enough staff to fill in and never had DRC ever call me for a shift. Thanks for the suggestion, I shall follow through and hopefully theyll get the message. 

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Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.
On 11/27/2020 at 4:51 PM, amanda269 said:

I feel like I have to answer the phone or else theyll have a bad rep of me, I only started this job a few months ago. A part of me thinks that Ill get in trouble if I don't receive the call as it is the DRC that is calling me. I've also heard from another ft RN that she also gets pressured into saying yes for shifts as well. I know its not right but I feel like im the odd one out for saying no. I've never had this problem at my other job as there was alway enough staff to fill in and never had DRC ever call me for a shift. Thanks for the suggestion, I shall follow through and hopefully theyll get the message. 

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't get your call, I was sleeping in preparation for night shift" if you feel you need an excuse....

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
2 hours ago, amanda269 said:

I feel like I have to answer the phone or else theyll have a bad rep of me, I only started this job a few months ago. A part of me thinks that Ill get in trouble if I don't receive the call as it is the DRC that is calling me.

Unless you are formally on call, you have zero obligation to your employer beyond scheduled shifts. She keeps calling and pressuring staff because they say yes and then she doesn't have to fix the underlying issue.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

What's DRC??? Not familiar with that abbreviation.

Director of something .... TYI

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A little straightforward talk here:

3 hours ago, amanda269 said:

I feel like I have to answer the phone or else theyll have a bad rep of me

These people who routinely call you to work extra, does it sound like they realistically have room to feel ticked off about an employee who "only" shows up every scheduled shift and does a good job?

No. But if they do feel ticked off, that is THEIR crazy problem and has nothing to do with you.

3 hours ago, amanda269 said:

A part of me thinks that Ill get in trouble if I don't receive the call as it is the DRC that is calling me.

What kind of trouble? Again, will they terminate you--an employee who comes in and works all your regular shifts and does a good job? How would that help their situation?

It doesn't matter who calls you. You are not on call and you are not obligated to answer any call from any representative of your employer.

 

3 hours ago, amanda269 said:

I've also heard from another ft RN that she also gets pressured into saying yes for shifts as well. I know its not right but I feel like im the odd one out for saying no.

If you are the odd one out, it's only because the others are letting themselves be pressured, which they, just as you, don't have to allow.

There are situations where you can actually relieve a dire need. You will recognize them because they aren't constant. And in those instances, yes, I try to help if at all possible. But if it's just constant dire need, then that is a fundamental problem with the way the employer is running things. And the reason they get paid what they do and you get paid what you do is in part because dealing with this kind of thing is *their* responsibility. Period.

Remember that the treatment you accept is the treatment you will often continue to get. You are telling them quite a bit about yourself and what kind of treatment is acceptable to you when they can easily pressure you into doing what you don't want to do and aren't obligated to do. ? You will be better off in the long run if you aren't too easily able to be manipulated.

Good luck. Saying "No"/"Sorry, I'm not available" etc., is only uncomfortable a couple of times.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

DRC= Democratic Republic of the Congo?  I'm also confused as to why a central African nation is calling a nurse to see if they can work extra.

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Specializes in LTC.
11 minutes ago, MunoRN said:

DRC= Democratic Republic of the Congo?  I'm also confused as to why a central African nation is calling a nurse to see if they can work extra.

Sorry for the confusion, DRC/DOC both stand for Director of Care who manages everyone in the LTC. 

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Specializes in LTC.

Thank you everyone for your answers, especially JKL33 for all the helpful responses.

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