How To Say No

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Alright, the phone is always ringing, and there are always messages on my cell. I want to go in and help out, but most weeks I've already answered the call and gone in for someone or another, or am scheduled to pick up someone elses shift. If you have to or want to say no how do you get it done? I tend to ramble on about what I have to get done that day, or say I've already picked up a shift this week for someone else, but no matter what I hang up feeling like a sludge. What's your "no, I'm sorry I can't work" speech? Thank you!

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Mine was I'm sorry I can't help. Thanks, Bye.

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hi new.,

this use to happen all the time, ticked me off in mid dream (night shift worker).

now i let answerin machine pick up, since i am a lite sleeper i hear who is calling, if i choose to go in i call them back and ask for bonus. no regular pay here:nono:

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For years, my husband and I dreaded the flashing light on the answering machine. Then we hit on a brilliant idea...why even have one? My family is dead and he is not close to his. We hated the thing. So it went to Goodwill and we live with CallerID which is a godsend. I need to add that both of us had employers who would leave messages like : "if we don't hear from you we'll assume you'll take the extra shift". I no longer have that sort of job but my husband's life is so much better now that his employer knows they need to ask him face to face about extra time.... because once he's home he'll never be reachable.

How could a job possible hold anyone to that? They would have no idea whether you ever even got the message. I get messages on my machine occasionally that definitely aren't for me. I think if they did that to me I just wouldn't show up and say I never got the message. That was a great idea getting rid of the machine.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
If you have to or want to say no how do you get it done?
If I am home I always pick up the phone because I am not afraid to tell my staffing coordinator "NO!"

I am not loyal to my workplace and feel no obligation to them beyond my regularly scheduled hours. I feel absolutely no shame for refusing to work extra shifts. In addition, my staffing coordinator feels no shame for canceling shifts when the census drops. It's a two-way street.

You've got to get a backbone and learn to say no. You don't owe anyone a phony explanation for refusing to work on your days off. Just say "No" and hang up the phone.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Simply say, "No, I have other plans".

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Specializes in L&D.

..amen to the commutor!! They don't have any problem cancelling me.

I just say no..have plans.

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Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I have my grandkids on my off days per choice. It also saves my daughter and son a lot of money. And that is what I say when staffing calls. In the event I have no g-kids, it is not hard to say no.

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Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.
If I am home I always pick up the phone because I am not afraid to tell my staffing coordinator "NO!"

I am not loyal to my workplace and feel no obligation to them beyond my regularly scheduled hours. I feel absolutely no shame for refusing to work extra shifts. In addition, my staffing coordinator feels no shame for canceling shifts when the census drops. It's a two-way street.

You've got to get a backbone and learn to say no. You don't owe anyone a phony explanation for refusing to work on your days off. Just say "No" and hang up the phone.

Amen to that!!!!!!

They (businesses in general) have no obligation to you if the situation is reversed. Therefore you've got none to them, other than the agreed upon hours/shifts. The end. A number of years ago I stopped feeling the need to provide a reason.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

How?

"No, I am sorry, I just cannot do that tonight". Then I hang up.

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I've done that before...... "I can't come in I'm drunk" LOL

"Sorry, I have other plans" (yeah, to watch my flowers grow :p )

"I'd love to help, but I just can't manage it today" (or any other, for that matter)

"Oh, that wouldn't be possible today, sorry" (Maybe the DNS can help out!:chuckle )

"Thanks for thinking of me, but I can't today" (All this kindness is killing me!:angryfire )

"I'm washing my hair today..." (LOL) :lol2:

"Not tonight, I have a terrible headache" :saint:

"Sorry, I don't accept solicitations over the phone...Oh, this is work, not a telemarketer?"

Gee, I'd love to help, but I just drank two beers...:cheers:

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

no thank you, have a nice day

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Caller ID is the move, to me. I have not given anyone at my job my cell phone, because I can't always tell what number is actually calling, for some reason, and I screen my calls. If the cell phone has been given, then, change it, and tell no one. Tell them that you can't afford the cell anymore and if they do reach you, say that you cannot, and that is it. I know it is hard, but it becomes easier as time moves on.

I am an LPN at my hospital, and work in a clinic. The LPNs usually get to leave on time, but I do occasionally help the RN out if it is really hectic. However, they have to ask me at least two hours ahead of time, and if not, no matter how guilty I may feel, when they ask me when I have on my coat, I say I can't...no matter what. They started to leave me alone.

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