Does taking low census look bad?

[uscstu4lfe]

When I graduated nursing school, I had no idea what low census was. When I got a job, I had no idea what low census was. I quickly learned what it was. And I have to admit, I love it. In our contract, it says low census is optional - that is, we don't have to take it if we don't want to. We also have the option of "no pay" or to use your PTO. You can either call well before your shift and tell staffing that you would like to be put down on the low census list, or if they don't have volunteers, they'll call people scheduled to work. I'm a full time employee, but I take a LOT of low census. In fact, on the days I'm scheduled to work, I ask to be put down on the low census list. Not only that, it's come to the point that they know me by voice now, and when I call, before I tell them who I am, they say "Ok, we will put you down for low census". This week I only worked 1 day. I have earned the reputation as the "low census god" at work by my coworkers (very affectionately). Now with that said, I have a question for those of you in management/experience, etc.... Does this make me look bad at all? I mean, I absolutely love taking the night off when they give it to me. I talked to some nurses and they said that it doesn't, in fact, it's a good thing because I'm saving the hospital a lot of money. WHat are your thoughts?

[FroggyMama]

They're going to give it to somebody if it's available, and you're saving your co-workers who need the hours on their check some money. I appreciate it when one of our staff volunteers, it means I get paid!

[BookwormRN]

If it does make a person look bad, then I look AWFUL!!! I LOVE low count, and it doesn't happen nearly enough on my small unit!!!!

[cheshirecat]

If you worked for the NHS in the UK, you would know that low census never exists. As soon as the bed is empty, it is cleaned and the new patient is in there.

Our wards are supposed to be staffed at 85% bed occupancy, but we never have below 97-100% bed occupancy.

[OC_An Khe]

If you can afford to take the day without pay ot's a good thing to do. However I wouldn't recommend doing it if you have to use PTO. I want to take my vacatio n when I want to and have some time saved for lifes inevitable illnesses/ problems. Also, if you are receiving benefits like health insurance and pension make sure that when you take it with no pay it doesn't effect those benefits. Particularly if you are taking off the amount of time you stated in OP. Additionally if the institution sees all the no pay days it might be tempted to reduce peoples hours or lay off people.

TANSTAAFL.

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

Mgmt may not mind but your co-workers may. Only in the fact that they may want it too and your already signed up. AGAIN.

Our hosp has a 1st come 1st serve basis for getting it and if the same person was already on the list every time I could use a day off and that same person took it last week too, I would be a bit irked.

Has any of your co-workers said anything in a round about way to you about it?

Since your posting the question it makes me think someone has, if thats the case, Maybe you should back off a bit and let someone else take a turn.

I only sign up to ever work 2 shifts a week, I get called in way more than i would ever request down time. But that way I have the option of saying No.

[uscstu4lfe]

they tell me they don't care. they don't want to take low census most of the time because they have a big mortgage so they can't afford to take the night off.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I would say that it's hard to know if they ALL don't care...some might not say they do. We don't have a system for volunteering to be off for that very reason...you get called when it's your turn, and you can turn it down if you want (it's rare that anyone does, even when we were getting them alot~things have picked up, so not any more!).

How new are you, also? I would have to think management would have an opinion too, about an employee that never seems to want to work. I think that looks bad, but that's just my opinion.

[DoeRN]

I agree with cherrybreeze. They may not tell you that they do care but I am sure everyone that works period would like to have an extra day off from time to time. In my unit we have not had low census in a while but we rotate due to the reasons you posted about so everyone gets a turn being either off/taking vac pay/or being floated. I am a new grad so I don't get a choice yet but when I do would love to from time to time. I have 3 weeks of vacation a year and in the past (I worked there as a NA then quit for 6 months to finish school and was rehired and did not lose my time) I was forced to use it or lose it. Someone else said to not sign up for a week and see what happens if they call you or not.

[suni, BSN, RN]

I think you do need to be careful about your benefits and that they may eventually cut you back to a part time position. I can also tell you that if you are a recent grad

the feeling of my co-workers is that you should probably be working and not take more then 2 days a pay to continue to learn time management, and build critical thinking skills. We see a hugh difference between new GN's who work full time and those who work part time. Please realize this is a generalization, maybe you have been an LPN just transitioning into an RN role or maybe you are one of those exceptional new nurses who just roll with the punches and are doing a great job.

Just food for thought.

[uscstu4lfe]

well, i don't like work. and i'm new! but it's something that i have to do. which is why i take so much low census. i'd much rather drink margaritas in hawaii, but working is just something that we all (mostly) have to do!

also, low census at our facility is on a first come, first serve basis. so whoever calls first, gets called off first. a few weeks ago staffing came to us mid-shift and asked if anyone wanted to go home... but no one wanted to (they all said they need the money). So perhaps I'm doing them a favor by taking so much low census? Who knows...

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I try not to request first cancel too often ... let other people have a shot.