Extra Shifts, Extra calls, feeling a bit guilty

gottagetmyrn · Mar 16, 2012

how long have you been a nurse? Just curious to know if you got hired PT right out of school. I had kinda dreamed of working PT after I finish school because I have children, but didn't really think it would be realistic. Just curious to know your story! And it seems the other posters gave you good advice, I wouldn't feel bad at all:)

RainMom · Mar 16, 2012

I just turned down an extra shift last night myself. No guilt here! I'm officially PT, but have been working FT the past month due to being short staffed after a nurse left. Our hospital has also been completely swamped & apparently nurses from my floor are used as the float pool! I've been working 40 hrs, 11p-7a which means last night was my ONE night off this week. No way was I going in to work, even for call in wages! I get only one night off at a time, except 2 nights every other weekend until staffing gets worked out & I can go back to my 24-32 hr weeks. Until then, I'm not going in unless I'm scheduled. Period.

PMFB-RN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

You have to stop answering the phone. I have my cell phone set up to use a different ring tone for my work numer. That way I know as soon as it rings it is my work. If I don't feel like working extra I don't answer. If they leave a voive mail I will listen to make sure it's not something else/ I don't not usually return their calls. They need to get the message that I am not at their beck and call. I can be if they want me to be. Put me on call and pay me to take call.

If you don't use a cell get caller ID, or even an answering machine to screen your calls. Your friends will quickly realize you are screening calls and if you are home will pick up so they will learn to not hang up when the machine answers.

33762FL · Mar 16, 2012

I have a cell phone with caller ID and yes I do make use of it, so that's not the problem (but I'm glad to hear that everybody does this with their caller ID, not just me so I don't have to feel like a jerk about it).

I have been a nurse about 7 months. I was hired PT right out of school because at the time i was hired, this facility was no longer hiring FT nurses, they were only hiring PT "with the opportunity for extra shifts to make your hours FT in effect." Then, as I said, they had a "layoff" and made most of the pre-existing FT nurses PT as well. I don't have kids, I wasn't specifically looking for a PT job, but the market was tight, this is what I was offered, and I knew I'd need time for my BSN classes anyway.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

When I first started, I was much more accommodating. That's great for them....for a while. Learn to set boundaries and say no. Sometimes my boss tries to schedule extra shifts without even mentioning it. When the person is a no show through no fault of their own, she'll learn. I do pick up occasionally, but not nearly as often anymore.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

As everyone said, unless you are willing to accept the shift, ignore the call. Don't call back. Otherwise, someone will try to guilt you into working.

PMFB-RN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

I have a cell phone with caller ID and yes I do make use of it, so that's not the problem (but I'm glad to hear that everybody does this with their caller ID, not just me so I don't have to feel like a jerk about it).
I have been a nurse about 7 months. I was hired PT right out of school because at the time i was hired, this facility was no longer hiring FT nurses, they were only hiring PT "with the opportunity for extra shifts to make your hours FT in effect." Then, as I said, they had a "layoff" and made most of the pre-existing FT nurses PT as well. I don't have kids, I wasn't specifically looking for a PT job, but the market was tight, this is what I was offered, and I knew I'd need time for my BSN classes anyway.

*** It sound very much like your faciliety is attempting to increase profits at the expense of their nurses and safe staffing levels. Don't own that, don't let their attempt to increase profits rent space in your head while you are feeling like a jerk or guilty. They know what they are doing.

DeeAngel · Mar 16, 2012

their chronic inability to staff appropriately is their problem not mine and i refuse to let them make it into my problem. i have worked at the same place for 4 years now and have never worked a single extra shift. when the caller id shows it's them i don't pick up, they can leave a message. they call me off at a moment's notice or send me home at 2 am if someone dies and the census changes. as long as they do that to nurses they will not get an extra shift out of me. no one has ever said a single word to me about it in all those 4 years.

keep working your caller id and when they call do not answer unless you are prepared to be guilted and hassled.

the most important thing in the world at this time in your life is your education, not dealing with someone else's inability to manage.

merlee · Mar 16, 2012

IF you are available to work, then answer the call with, "Yes I can come in but only if you pay me as if it were overtime". And if they say no, then you can say no, as well. Encourage all of your peers to ask for OT when they are called. The hospital will counter with "But you only worked 24 hours (or whatever), so this isn't OT" Then YOU say, "It was not on my original schedule, so it IS overtime as far as I am concerned!" If they are desperate, they may take you up on the offer, and pay you as OT. If they say this is a one-time deal, say OK.

The next time they call, ask for the same deal. And don't fall for some bu!!$hit line to promise not to tell anyone else. Start telling everyone NOW that you will only work extra if you are appropriately compensated. They can only say no, we will call someone else.

They downgraded people to part-time in order to save money. It makes me sick to think that that is how professional people are being shafted. Years ago, my bro worked at WallyWorld, where nearly everyone is PT. Saves so much money to not have to pay benefits. Then, my ex-hubby worked at a large chain grocery, where all of the cashiers are PT. But they kept asking him to work extra, and someone screwed up. At that business, if you work 35 hours/week x 4 consecutive weeks, the computer 'sees' that as fulltime! And suddenly he was given benefits. OOOO, how awful. Since so many different people were involved with scheduling, it gets to be difficult to keep track.

Do NOT EVER feel bad about not answering the call, saying 'no', or asking for more money. We will not get what we are worth if we do not ask for it. Please watch the movie Made in Dagenham to understand that we cannot be trod upon if we stand up and demand what we are worth.

Just say 'no'. Unless you pay me what I am worth for my time.

Best wishes!!!

PS. They may say they do not have to pay you OT, but if they are desperate, they will do it. I once worked at a facility that threw in extras like a pair of movie tickets, or a gas voucher. I always took advantage of those things, too,

nguyency77, CNA · Mar 16, 2012

Don't feel guilty. Some of the schedulers at my work often misuse the on-call/prn CNAs in order to give their friends days off to go out drinking and whatnot, resulting in pseudo-staffing problems.

txnewby · Mar 16, 2012

I offer you permission not to feel guilty. From what I hear, there are lots of nurses who would love extra hours. Maybe you are giving them that chance.

Feeling guilty is a no win situation. Please take of yourself and get your BSN.

Cindycin37, ASN, RN · Feb 12, 2015

I worked prn at a skilled nursing facility.My boss comes up to me at work and then ask me to cover a shift. Right now, I'm getting behind on school work & I'm also starting a full time job at a hospital. How can I say no without it looking bad? I know I'm prn but I will not know my hospital hours until probably Feb 16. Any advice?