Don't "rescue" shifts

[faith6616]

I've seen a few threads regarding vacations and picking up shifts and it made me wonder about a recent discussion at a staff meeting. I work in an independent living facility with only med aides and one on call RN on staff. Our work isn't as high intensity as a hospital floor but we also have a small staff and one person can only do so much at a time. Recently we've added new residents and more cares but no new staff and we have no real on call aides. We are currently having the same issues as many other facilities in that everyone is going on vacation and we are very understaffed. At our last meeting a few of us discussed not "rescuing" shifts. If we cannot or do not want to work, don't pick up the shift and let supervision find an alternative. (Supervision is not very helpful in this regard and typically leaves filling shifts to the aides). I am the newest staff member, starting about 5 months ago, and while I have definitely picked up hours here and there and a couple full 12 hour shifts I know I am

nowhere near doing as much as other veteran staff so I definitely feel guilty and obligated to pick up hours and "pay my dues". I guess my question is, should I feel guilty? If it's my day off (I work 12 hour overnights) and they need someone to cover should I pick it up? How do other nurses handle these situations? If it were

a job at a grocery store or something I wouldn't care but as nurses/aides we are caring for human beings so it makes it

more difficult to "not care" if someone isn't working.

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

Don't feel guilty. I don't pick up extra shifts very often and I don't feel bad about it. I enjoy my job and I generally like my patients, but I need my days off to get stuff done and then relax.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

Its 100% up to the "corporation" to "staff adequately"...I know...its almost as if those words have zero meaning in our current (for-profit) climate...if I can (and I do because I live in america and I need money) pick up extra I do...if I cannot then it certainly is not my problem...ride the HCAPS till they crumble!!! Good luck.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

No guilt here! Our job is to take excellent care of patients; someone else is responsible for staffing. I will pick up an extra shift every so often (once a month at most), but only when it's not going to interfere with the rest of my life. Working OT is a great help and cam be nice in your paycheck, but you need your time off to be an effective employee.

[BeckyESRN]

When management knows that someone will pick-up the empty shifts, they never have to address the staffing problem! Do not feel guilty. This is a problem at so many facilities and, in my experience, they want you to feel obligated to work extra because it's easier than training new staff. It's different if something came up last minute preventing a co-worker from coming in for their scheduled shifts, but vacations are scheduled in advance and there is no excuse for management's poor planning. Again, you are under no obligation beyond your scheduled shifts; keep in mind "No." is a complete sentence and do not feel guilty!

[TriciaJ, RN]

Amen to everything that was already said. When you hired on, you agreed to a certain schedule. You work more or fewer shifts when it is mutually beneficial and mutually agreed upon. You do not need to "pay dues". That is an archaic concept and just pits us against one another.

If they can count on you to work your days off, then they are off the staffing hook. If you burn out and become ill, they will not take ownership of that. They might not even sign your get-well card. If your work starts to suffer because you are fatigued, they will hold you accountable, not cut you slack or show gratitude. You are not getting their paycheque (which is a lot bigger than yours). Don't do their job.

[JBudd, MSN]

This is why there are agency nurses out there; people willing to pick up shifts on short notice.

I picked up a bunch last month because I wanted the extra cash. Kicked my tax bracket, I took home LESS than I would have not picking up extra. 3 paycheck month played into that though.