Is it expected for new FT RNs to pick up extra shifts?

[Jaellys]

I also attend an RN-BSN program at a local University. Its becoming a lot for me. I feel like a lot of the newbies at my work are working so much overtime because they want to, but I am not signing up for extra shifts due to school.

Would it be in my best interest to pick up a shift? If so, how often? I literally am using up every minute of my day with something whether its school, spending time with my husband and kids, etc. But, I also dont want to be seen as a non-team player.

My hospital does 12 hour shifts. I was originally supposed to be part time because of school, but my manager asked me if I could take an additional shift each week to make me full time. So, I feel that I am being a team player by becoming full time to help the unit, while sacrificing my school time. But its probably not the same thing as covering shifts.

And for what its worth, I have never called out (dont plan to) and am always on time.

Thanks guys.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

the beauty of OT is that YOU pick up when YOU want to. You've already elevated your status from PT to FT by picking up the extra 12. If you can fit it in that's fine but if not, its not an issue.

My main thing is flexibility. If you ask people to switch and then don't return the favor, it doesn't look good.

[VANurse2010]

Excessive use of overtime by a unit/hospital is a sign of bad management and bad staffing. You're not responsible for fixing their incompetence.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

To answer your question, it is not an expectation that new grads accept extra shifts. However, management and staffing coordinators approach new grads about picking up overtime because it is perceived they will be more likely to say yes.

Many (but not all) newer nurses could definitely use the extra money due to student loan debt, down payments for big ticket purchases, or other reasons.

[ExploringNurse]

Honestly I found my rn to bsn more tedious and annoying like a mosquito, but not difficult nor time consuming. I'm about two years out after graduating with my ADN and I used to and still do pick up frequently. That's by my choice to pay down credit cards. If you put in your time, and already went from part time to full time, you have done your part. I want to get to a point to where I can work my 4 eight hour shifts and be fine financially. I put in my time and want to be left alone after that. Life is about working to live, not living to work.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

You pick up when YOU want to, don't give it a second thought when you don't. Lots of times managers will approach newer nurses about it because they can be easier to guilt into it. You've done more than your share by going to FT. Heck I'm 0.5, and I rarely pick up because I have a busy life outside of work (five kids age 2-almost 14, and a husband who works long hours/travels.) I pick up an extra 4 hrs here and there during summer since it's busy trauma season, but only when it doesn't inconvenience my family. Chronic understaffing is no more my job than being a unit RN is management/staffing's job.

[OscarTheOwl]

You pick up when YOU want to, don't give it a second thought when you don't. Lots of times managers will approach newer nurses about it because they can be easier to guilt into it. You've done more than your share by going to FT. Heck I'm 0.5, and I rarely pick up because I have a busy life outside of work (five kids age 2-almost 14, and a husband who works long hours/travels.) I pick up an extra 4 hrs here and there during summer since it's busy trauma season, but only when it doesn't inconvenience my family. Chronic understaffing is no more my job than being a unit RN is management/staffing's job.

5 kids seems like 5 full time jobs, I don't know how you find time to even work 0.5! I would likely never pick up any extra shifts.

OP don't let anyone guilt you into picking up more than you can reasonably handle. New nurses get burnt out doing just their required shifts. They need time to rest their brains and prepare for the next set of shifts. Being new is hard enough as it is, pick up extra only when you want to, and if that's never then that's OK!

Agree with an above post that said if you ask to trade shifts, always reciprocate if you can, other than that I would have no expectation that a newer nurse would pick up all the extras just to prove they are team players.

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

My department recently did away with mandatory OT but heavily encourages picking up extra shifts. I am not currently in school, but also like not working. So I compromise and pick up princess shiftsí ¾í¶„

[RNperdiem, RN]

So you were hired part-time, but manager wants you to work full-time while I presume, getting part time benefits. This arrangement benefits your employer and does cover holes in the schedule. If enough people do this they might decide they don't need to hire another nurse.

The relationship you have with your manager has to have the boundary setting expectations like you have with your spouse and kids.

As a parent you know that if you don't set limits about how much you give, your kids will suck you dry and ask for more.

Be polite but firm. Work extra days that suit you.

[GenSurgRNFA, BSN]

Like a previous poster said, ur manager already increased u one shift and u accepted so i dont think you are obligated to work extra shifts. I will throw in an extra if someone calls in sick but other than that i dont. Im finishing my BSN as well. Taking 2 classes at a time.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

You don't have to work extra shifts at all. If you come in for the shifts you are scheduled for, you are meeting the requirements of your job, no matter how much management whines about being short. If they don't want to be so short-staffed, they should hire more people.

Don't let them guilt you into doing something you don't want to do - only go in extra if you want extra money.