Does your work call you at 0530?

bill4745, RN · Dec 7, 2006

My hospital only has my cell phone number - it's turned off when I'm sleeping - an easy solution.

weetziebat · Dec 7, 2006

My hospital only has my cell phone number - it's turned off when I'm sleeping - an easy solution.

This is the best solution I've read so far. Too bad I've already given them my number. :rolleyes: Maybe I'll get an unlisted number and tell work I only have the cell phone. Thanks, Bill, great tip!

Retired R.N. · Dec 7, 2006

Unfortunately, out in the boonies we can't get caller ID. And we don't get cell phone reception where I live. With my sil pregnant with twins we have to answer the phone in case of emergency. Wonder if I could get call block?

Work out a system with your relatives where they dial your number and let it ring twice, then hang up. Immediately after that, they dial again and you answer. Swear them to exteme secrecy on this code, and warn them of dire consequences if they ever use it for less than a life threatening emergency.

EmerNurse, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2006

I had a co-worker answer at 5am and tell them she'd been out partying til late and was still drunk -sorry can't come in!

LOL have to use that one some day!

Zippedodah · Dec 7, 2006

I turn off the landline and my family has my cell number. The cell is the one that is plugged in my room so if work calls, they get my machine.

Valanda · Dec 7, 2006

I had a co-worker answer at 5am and tell them she'd been out partying til late and was still drunk -sorry can't come in!
LOL have to use that one some day!

I have used this one even tho I don't drink at all! It works great! I think my boss believes I drink alot, but they don't ever call me on my days off!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 7, 2006

Maybe you could just answer and when you realize it's work, say "I'm sorry, she's not here right now."

Which, technically, wouldn't be lying, because as tired as i am, i wouldn't 'mentally' be there.

muffie, RN · Dec 7, 2006

i screen all phone calls regardless of who phones

if it important enough, leave a message

if i like you enough, i'll call you back

allnurses Guide · Dec 7, 2006

i screen all phone calls regardless of who phones
if it important enough, leave a message
if i like you enough, i'll call you back

We screen all calls too - there are so many people trying to get me to use the equity in my home or sign me up for a credit card. My 5 year old even screens calls - he knows his Dad's cell phone # and his grandparents #.

steph

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2006

Cell phone number for work, put it in another room or turn it off when not willing to work. Home phone for family. This is communication era, most communication options are not really expensive. Maybe get a go-phone ot tac phone for work to call and write it off on your taxes at the end of the year.

Jabramac · Dec 7, 2006

Knowing we do not like the 0500 calls should be motivation for the rest of us to call in ill early so these holes can be filled before 0500.

As a night time sup I often am the one making these calls at 0500 in the morning. Where I work we have computer software that displays everyones schedule, so we know who just came of an evening shift, who works the next night, etc. We try not to call people when they should be sleeping. But, as said before, if we are short staffed we have to run down the list. We also have an area on the software were people enter work preferences. THis spot contains requests like "don't call before 8am." We really try to respect that. It sure makes my job easier when I don't have to call these people. But, when in great need we even will call these people.

Before being a sup I always felt guilty when I said no on the phone, like I had to explain myself. Now that I am making the phone calls I can tell you that I don't care why someone can't come to work on their day off. There is no guilt is saying simply "no, I can't today." Unless you are going to say yes, there is a list of other people to call so keep it short and simple. Also- a few have commented about saying no because of being out too late the night before, or drining ETOH. These are legitimate reasons to say no, you have to be a safe nurse to work. I have had to tell the hospital, "gee I can't come in, I have been drinking" myself.

The one thing that does bother me sometimes is in smaller department where there might only be a handful of employees and there are usually one or two who refuse to pick up extra. I understand they were hired as part time, and that is fine, but part of nursing is that we NEED people to work, so it should be a give and take. If a person ever calls in sick they should understand that someone else is coming in on their day off to cover it, so help out your coworkers once in a while when one of them is sick.

Which brings me back to my first sentence. Call in sick early! I undertand, I used to play the game that if I called in sick the day before they might not believe me. Now that I am a sup, the hospitals belief/not belief in you being sick is not nearly as important to us as giving us lots of time to find a replacement and avoid those 0500 calls. I think there is far too much emphasis placed on management not being considerate of us, when there is at least some blame that needs to be placed on coworkers. I dislike calling people at 0500 even more then I dislike being called at home at 0500, but as I make those phone calls to wake people up I remind myself that this is nursing. We have secure decent paying jobs and we sacrifice somethings for that. Working off shifts, holidays, weekends, and getting called at all hours to come in.

dazey71 · Dec 7, 2006

i'd be so angry if they called me in the middle of the night. i'd probably just hang up on them. of course i'm a cranky bear when woken up..