Does your work call you at 0530?

grammyr · Dec 8, 2006

I normally don't mind working if someone is sick, but when I request specifically not to be called because that particular day is my only day off out of 8, I get really ticked when called!!!!!

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Dec 8, 2006

Just another point of view here,..I work nights 7p-7a and often charge so I am the one that gets the calls at 0430 "can't make it today,...." We need the dayshift covered,..we start report at 0630,..it sucks to call,..and I agree w/ an earlier post,.I don't care why a simple "no, no today" is fine w/me,...the problem I have is when they call me at 5pm to ask if I can work,.sometimes I can,.but if I was off the night before and have been awake since the rest of my family woke up at say 530am I can't possibly work a 7p-7a!! Day shift has been very nasty on occasion when I say no,..it's simple math 0530 - 0700=25 1/2 hours awake,.not safe. Sometimes I think they take it better when I say "geee,..I just started my 2nd glass of wine,.if you'd only called earlier"

RunnerRN, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2006

I have to get in on this. The only number I gave to work is my cell (we only use our house phone for outgoing calls/internet connection....usually the phone isn't even attached!) I have the main number in my cell, my dept's number, and the charge nurse work phone number, so they will all pop up on caller ID. The smartest thing I ever did though was give those numbers their own ringer - something very quiet and completely different from my typical ringer. This way I can tell right away who is calling (if I even hear the ring) and pick up if necessary. But, usually I don't!

I really don't mind the calls so much, it is when I pick up and get the guilt trip and keep pushing even once I say no. So, coincidentally, I tend to have unbreakable appointments when they call. Hair cuts that take 2 months to get, dental appts, etc. Because sometimes just saying NO doesn't sink in.

Oh for the day when I have kids and can blame it on them!!!

cant_not · Dec 8, 2006

When I was an aide I worked in a 180 bed facility, and they were ALWAYS short, and I got a call almost every day to come in. I love doing overtime, but I got tired of it really quick. I just stopped answering my phone. Haven't encountered it as a nurse, yet.

hyattrnbsn · Dec 30, 2006

so apparently the little girl that posted this is never night shift charge. When someone calls in we have to find coverage - duh?!! If we called you at 0630 you would be complaining you didnt have enough notice to get ready. Or if you worked the shift short b/c the night charge didn't want to upset anyone by waking them up you'd be pretty upset too. Or if you really could've used the overtime and they didn't call you'd be complaining then too. Or better yet should we call at 2 am when the person called in or be nice enough to wait until 0530 when really we have other stuff to be doing to wrap up our own shift. Get used to it, get caller ID, or cut off the ringer cause it won't stop and no one is keeping up with the fact that you just worked several in a row and needed hubby time!!!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2006

Hee!

They sent one of the aides to my house to bang on the door.

Nothing like a small town....

caliotter3 · Dec 30, 2006

Once, when the only Noc licensed nurse, I had a semi-emergency, and needed to call the Asst DON who at the time was the acting DON, no answer. No answering machine, just plain no answer. So I was stuck with the situation by myself. No one else I could call (believe it or not I was so desperate about what was going on that in the middle of the night I called my former supvr from another job (who BTW was retired) and she gave me advice on what to do). And in the morning, when the Asst DON showed up for work at the usual time, she could not deal with the situation anyway. But my point is: When people, even those who are supposed to be on call, do not want to be bothered, they WILL NOT be bothered. I did not say anything to my boss about her not being available, I was too engrossed in the situation.

Likewise, I too, have become so fired up b/c my work has not respected my wishes concerning whether and when to call me. That problem is now solved, b/c quite simply, I don't have to worry about being bothered at all. I ain't working! Upset, to get called wrongly when employed, upset to not get called at all cause nobody wants ya, just upset! While I like not being called at all--it sure would be nice if someone would mail a paycheck. He, he.

Sooooo, get caller ID, a private, private number, and count your blessings.

saguaro13 · Dec 30, 2006

I get called almost on a daily basis to come in to work. I am a noc employee, but work days, afternoons, nights extra. Constantly flip flopping. I get called all hours of the day and night. I have the ringer turned off on my phone. All my friends and family have my cell phone number and I tell them to call that if they can't get me at home. It works ok. I have caller id and if I see the number to the hospital. I don't pick up. I used to pick up extra, but they are so rude to you if you say no, I'm just abou ready to quit. It's really a shame. This yet one more reasons nurses get burned out and leave the profession all together. But the idiots running the shows, just don't get it!

MarySunshine · Dec 30, 2006

so apparently the little girl that posted this is never night shift charge. When someone calls in we have to find coverage - duh?!! If we called you at 0630 you would be complaining you didnt have enough notice to get ready. Or if you worked the shift short b/c the night charge didn't want to upset anyone by waking them up you'd be pretty upset too. Or if you really could've used the overtime and they didn't call you'd be complaining then too. Or better yet should we call at 2 am when the person called in or be nice enough to wait until 0530 when really we have other stuff to be doing to wrap up our own shift. Get used to it, get caller ID, or cut off the ringer cause it won't stop and no one is keeping up with the fact that you just worked several in a row and needed hubby time!!!

That's a condescending reply. I realize the situation and I was just asking for some feedback on how to deal with it.

Lovely RN · Dec 30, 2006

I don't answer the phone if I don't want the overtime because when you say no they continue to beg without even offering an incentive.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2006

What time does the shift start? Where I work it's 6:45 so they'd pretty much have to be calling at 5:30. Maybe your shift starts later though. And it sucks for them, they do just have to go down the list of who's not scheduled and unless it's a requested off, they have to call.

I hate it too though from the other side- I have caller ID and usually screen all calls via answering machine anyway (d/t lots of telemarketers/weirdos along with work calls), and turn the ringer way down while I'm sleeping; my family and friends have a cell number if they really need me.

Hopefully it will be less this winter... we all have to take at least one on-call day a pay period so hopefully they'll definitely have enough staffing?? What a hope... right?

Jo Dirt · Dec 30, 2006

Caller ID works very well for me. We have a 70% policy (unenforceable but they have one written) which says we are required to work overtime at least 70% of time contacted. If work calls and I donot want to work I donot answer the phone.

The nursing home where I used to work would block their number or else use someone's cell phone. Lol.