Doubles

[nursedanny614]

The word gets to me sometimes. There are times where I am expecting it and I have an answer but sometimes I get caught off guard and feel stupid. Even if I don't end up doing it I have this sense of guilt about it. is it just me or is it normal. mind you that it frequently is asked of me.'

[chrisrn24]

Won't do 'em.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

I've never done one in 7 years of nursing. I have a 35 minute commute each way and have fallen asleep on the road after a 12. I personally don't feel it's safe for *me.*

[CNASuzy]

So I had to do one the other night because no one showed up for 3rd shift and I was still there from 2nd shift. So sometimes you don't have a choice not to do one because a nursing home is a 24 hour facility and a hospital too for that matter!

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

So I had to do one the other night because no one showed up for 3rd shift and I was still there from 2nd shift. So sometimes you don't have a choice not to do one because a nursing home is a 24 hour facility and a hospital too for that matter!

I've never been asked to do one either. The most I've ever been asked to stay was 4 hours past an 8. No one showed up for an entire shift?

[CNASuzy]

Nope. One girl called in and the other one didn't show up. So it was me on one wing for the entire night (11-7).

[nursedanny614]

The powers that be don't care about my well being just a buck. Sometimes I don't mind it but I have to be in the right mood. I always get the nurses who tell me "you're too young to be tired" They don't care so I have to speak up.

[newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I say no and do not feel even an ounce of guilt about it. In my mind asking me to work a double is the administration asking me to spend 8 more hours away from my family--they should feel guilty for asking me that. I know people won't agree with me but that's how I feel about my personal time. I only work extra shifts and/or doubles if that works for me in some way, i.e. I need the hours or money or something but I rarely put myself in that position.

I also have a theory that if everyone continues to pick up extra shifts and work doubles the facility will never hire enough personnel to staff appropriately. Why should they if they can just squeeze more out of the staff they have? In that regard I say no to "teach" the facility that it needs to staff properly. Incidentally, I also don't think it's safe.

So to the OP, I would not feel guilty about it. As long as you show up for work every time you're scheduled and don't call in sick excessively you are fulfilling the commitment you made to your institution. Do not feel obligated to do them the favor of working a double.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

The powers that be don't care about my well being just a buck.

That's why YOU have to care about your well being.

Sometimes I don't mind it but I have to be in the right mood. I always get the nurses who tell me "you're too young to be tired" They don't care so I have to speak up.

Oooh, that would annoy me. I used to do a lot of doubles as a CNA at this one place I worked at--from age 18 to 21. One two week period I did 130 hours--all 3 shifts in the mix. I slowed down my pace after one night around 0400, dissolving in tears and saying "I've never been so tired in my entire life." The LPN and other CNA told me to go home, that they had everything under control. I gratefully accepted, but I didn't drive home--I fell asleep in my car in the parking lot. I was afraid to drive (probably rightly afraid.) So not to hijack the thread, but just my experience being young and tired.

Anyway, if they're giving you flack about it, don't give a reason! Don't say, "I can't, I'm beat." Say, "I'm not interested in the hours."

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I say no and do not feel even an ounce of guilt about it. In my mind asking me to work a double is the administration asking me to spend 8 more hours away from my family--they should feel guilty for asking me that. I know people won't agree with me but that's how I feel about my personal time. I only work extra shifts and/or doubles if that works for me in some way, i.e. I need the hours or money or something but I rarely put myself in that position.

I also have a theory that if everyone continues to pick up extra shifts and work doubles the facility will never hire enough personnel to staff appropriately. Why should they if they can just squeeze more out of the staff they have? In that regard I say no to "teach" the facility that it needs to staff properly. Incidentally, I also don't think it's safe.

So to the OP, I would not feel guilty about it. As long as you show up for work every time you're scheduled and don't call in sick excessively you are fulfilling the commitment you made to your institution. Do not feel obligated to do them the favor of working a double.

I can't like this enough!!!!!!!!!!!!