How do you all cope with stress and overbooking?

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 23, 2014

The agency's will schedule you as much as they can if your working out. It can be hard to say no, but you have to learn. It's especially hard for me because I work for two agencies, so they both think I have a lot of free time because they don't see the whole schedule. I also recently had to back down my hours for my mental health, and while understanding I still get 3-4 calls a week asking about extra work. I always thank them for calling and politely decline, only I can keep me from running myself into the ground.

I use my phone, to type, I work at night, and I'm a bad speller. Pick any reason you want for my misspellings

smartnurse1982 · Oct 23, 2014

I would rather be overbooked than under-booked to be honest.

Some weeks i work 80 hours a week,and others i am down to 24 hours a week.

I also work for 2 agencies,but i do not work full time with the second agency.

56 hours/wk with the full time agency,and 24 hrs/wk with the other.

I guess this is one of the perks of Pdn.

I relieve stress by going into Nyc to party on the weekends i am off,but that is just me.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Oct 24, 2014

I struggle with the "saying no" part.

When you've experienced a week or more of no pay b/c your regular client is in the hospital, you're not eager to alienate second/third agencies who are offering occasional work....

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 24, 2014

Not an issue. I don't double or over book. If I can't care for myself & family how can I care for others?

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Oct 25, 2014

Upon looking at OP's other post it would seem she is a caregiver in a yet undisclosed part of the world. I can't quite tell if she is live in or not. I don't think she's doing the agency shuffle a lot of is do Just FYI for future respondents.

I use my phone, to type, I work at night, and I'm a bad speller. Pick any reason you want for my misspellings

caliotter3 · Oct 25, 2014

If your nursing duties are stressing you out, then perhaps you need to take a look at your own health practices. Good exercise, proper nutrition, enough restful sleep, relaxing recreation, are all part of taking good care of oneself. And when one takes good care of oneself, one is better able to care for others.