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?
FYI: I'm on the low census call list for tonight! *crosses fingers*
I get so excited when I see the caller ID and it's my work calling! I'm so thrilled that they call me off that I usually do something like vacuum the house or unload the dishwasher. hooray!
Hooray! No sooner did I post that message that they called me and asked if I wanted the night off! Hooray! They called me WAY early, and said they are WAY overstaffed. it's time like these that I love the job that I have.
I'm a prn employee. For the last year or so my husband tells me to ask for budget time when I go to work. I have told staffing office to always give me budget before they call regular staff to have them take the time off. My feeling is it is better for me to be off than someone who needs the money to make ends meet. If you can afford to take the time off I don't see that there is a problem,
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...
Most people would rather not be working if given the choice. That goes without saying. If it's as often as you're saying, though, and with your newest posts, I have to say that you're probably NOT making a good impression with your managers/supervisors. Especially if you're calling in EVERY day you're scheduled to tell them you want off. I mean, c'mon. I would say even more whole-heartedly that not ALL of your coworkers are OK with this. If someone was doing that every day I'd be incredibly annoyed. Thank heavens where I work, it's on a rotating basis and I don't have to spend my time thinking/planning a phone call to get picked first. If I were your coworker, honestly? I'd resent you for doing that every day.
Going home MID shift is not the same as being called off for the day...I've refused LEAVING early if I have a lot going on with my patients, or am not caught up anyway....it's easier to stay than go. Don't use that as the indicator that no one else but you ever wants to be called off.
Of course it's nice to get that call saying that you don't have to come in...I mean, it's like a snow day and school's been cancelled! But that often?
For our new employees, they can't be called off for six months...they need to be there when they're scheduled to learn, and get their routine down.
well, i think at this point, i have things down pretty well that i don't have to work 3x a week to keep up (learning new things). what you require, and what i require, is different. my coworkers always laugh and say "it must be nice not having to work for a healthy paycheck!" I really don't sense any hostility. we text each other outside of work and they haven't said anything about it. as far as not making a good impression with the managers - i kind of view it in a different light.... let's face it, as managers, theyre job is to get the job done with as little money as possible. if i'm accepting low census when they need it, i'm saving the department money. but that's just the way i view it... however, i appreciate your point of view.
are you sure you aren't taking other staff member's opportunity to get off. i work with several people that ALWAYS take off, never giving anyone else a shot at it. mangement calls them first cuz they know they'll take it and they don't have to make too many phone calls. it would be considerate of you to ask if anyone else wants it when they call you. we finally had enough of these few people and got a policy in place that no more than 2 requests to be called off in a pay period. if no one else wants it, then they can have a shot at it. i have to tell you, always taking off doesn't speak well of your work ethic and can give you the reputation of being lazy.
usc: well, while it might not look bad to request low census call offs alot, you do have to look at the whole picture. Co-workers might not tell you that THEY wouldn't mind a call off now and then, but don't want to risk a confrontation, so they say nothing. It's ALOT more common than you might think, that people are unhappy with something yet say nothing, thereby making it worse. You can say "oh well, tough on them" but it IS them that you have to work with. Just a thought to consider.
Beyond that, while SOMEONE has to be called off each time, if it's someone new who is always asking to be called off, we might want to ask if there's a problem brewing that makes you NOT want to be there, you know? And if you are always asking to be called off, it might alert a manager that you are unhappy enough in your job that you might be looking elsewhere, etc, and if the time comes to cull the added fat from the unit--you would be it.
uscstu4lfe
467 Posts
FYI: I'm on the low census call list for tonight! *crosses fingers*
I get so excited when I see the caller ID and it's my work calling! I'm so thrilled that they call me off that I usually do something like vacuum the house or unload the dishwasher. hooray!