How often do you work extra?

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I came home this morning from my errands to a message asking me to work extra and I do feel bad for not going in since they only need me 4 hours. At the same time, I'm going back in for my 2 scheduled nights tomorrow. I work a busy medical floor and I'm starting to feel some burn out which I'm trying to avoid.

I feel like I'm doing good just to work my OWN scheduled nights.

So do you work extra?

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

Rarely because I work 40 hrs per week and that's enough for me, thankyouverymuch!

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

I try and pick up 4 or 8 hrs a week extra. Our incentive pay per union contract is time and a half plus $20 per hour, so it really is worth going in for a princess shift for me :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I recently picked up a bunch of shifts, mostly because of staff illness or funerals, and because I needed heating oil.

It was my experience in my previous life that if you agree to work extra too often they start to take it for granted that you are always going to work when asked. Sometimes the powers that be will even pencil you in without asking. When the happy day comes that you finally turn them down, they look at you like you just spit on the flag and belched in church. Better to keep them guessing.

That's happened to me, too. It was especially bad in 1 job where we had to find our own coverage, and no one would cover my shift. I stopped covering shifts after that. Ever since, I've tried not to make picking up shifts a habit.

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I wish we had more overtime available, and so do many of my coworkers. We're never forced or pressured to work more than our scheduled shifts, but they do go down the phone list and call everyone if we have too many sick calls for staffing to cover. If you don't want to come in, just say no - someone else will want the cash.

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Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

I seem to go in cycles. At times, I can easily work two extra 12's per week (one of those is agency). Then there are times when it's a struggle just to make my three 12's, run my errands and stay minimally connected to my family and friends.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Oncology.

NEVER! I do my 3 shifts then I'm out!!!!

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I NEVER work extra unless I have to come in for a mandatory meeting or inservice. I would not work a double shift if they paid me triple time. I don't need money that bad.

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Specializes in SRNA.

I worked 7.5 extra hours on Tuesday, then did my normal three 12's on Wed/Thu/Fri and I'm beat! I have the weekend off and I teach a few courses to the new hires on Monday morning, then I'm on call Tuesday again and work Wed/Thu/Fri again. This is the most extra I've worked in 2 years!

I may volunteer for more extra shifts as I want to pay off my student loans by fall of 2011.

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Specializes in Med Surg-Geriatrics.

Never...used to when I was younger,I will pitch in if say there is an emergency such as an evacuation due to a Hurricaine or something where I am truley needed,fortunately there are plenty of other nurses that want to work extra

I have no problem saying NO!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

In FL we have what is known as "season" the influx of snowbirds, last year I was my med/surg unit's work horse, this year I've transferred to the ER and have picked up a few on med/surg anyways, however I have found I can make the extra money faster and during the day with a PRN position at a home health agency so it's alot easier to say no now :)

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Not very often. I just picked up a new primary patient so maybe more often now.

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Good for you

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