Hi all, I'm Jenny, an RN ASN. I have only posted on this site a couple of times. I just started working for a Hospice Agency in June. I specified in my application I only wanted PT work. I was called for an interview and told the Director I only wanted PT work. She said, "that's fine, like 10 - 20 hours a week?" I told her I had a babysitter lined up for 2 days a week, so I could work like 16 hours a week. She said that sounded good and hired me on the spot. I spent 2 days one week doing all the paperwork for orientation. Then the next week spent 1/2 day in mandatory mtg., the other 1/2 with an RN observing her. The next day I spent a full day with an RN training with her. So I had 1 1/2 days of training with an RN. Then one of our RN's went on vacation last week and they asked me to see her pt's. I agreed b/c I felt comfortable with the 2 page assessment form (very similar to the one I used in Home Health Nursing).
While seeing pt's this past Thur., for the RN on vacation, I saw our director who was out doing admissions. I am learning that this co. is the typical understaffed nursing facility. They seem to be a very good co., highly respected in the community and getting tons of referrals and admits. Anyway, she asked me when I was going to be ready to do an admit. I said, "well I've never seen one done, never been trained to do one. Too bad I'm seeing these pt's today or I could go with you to learn how." She said, "well, you'll have to do one eventually." Almost like she wanted to push one off on me to go do along with my other visits. I just laughed and said, "I guess so."
Ok, so then Friday I was off, I had worked Wed. and Thur. (as agreed upon) and actually went to a mtg. Tues. afternoon. Friday morning the office mgr. called and asked if I would be on stand-by call for them PRN for the day? I said, no I can't, I don't have a babysitter. She said, ok. Later the same day, I was gone and she left a msg. on my machine, saying, "can you please call, I have a dire emergency, could you just help out for like an hour?" I didn't even get the msg till after the office was closed so I have no idea what the "dire emergency" was.
So I am already feeling frustrated and taken advantage of. My husband says just don't let them get to you. You are working exactly what you were hired to work. But for me, I hate knowing that they are probably thinking, she's not being a team player, we can't count on her to be there when we need her, etc.... I love doing the job so far and don't want to not be doing it. At the same time though, I don't want to be called on my days off and be given a guilt trip about how they so desperately have to have me come in. Or take on doing admissions when I already have a day full of pt's.
It's as if, they belittle the fact that I only work PT b/c I choose to be home with my daughter instead. Like that's not a good enough reason. That I should be willing to put in 65 hours a week like some of our other RN's. If I was working PT b/c I was also working another FT job, I think they would leave me alone, but they know I am a SAHM and I guess that's not a good enough reason to work PT.
I mainly needed to vent all my frustrations. Any opinions?
With new ratio implemented in Cal Jan 1st the hospital is required to document that they have tried to call in extra help to meet ratios. Previous to this I had a note in Staffing office that said don't call for extra shifts because of child care issues. Now I get calls again. But last Christmas I also got caller ID and it has been a godsend.
I also make sure on evaluations that my manager is aware that despite not working extra, I am never late and rarely sick, average less than 1 sick day a year. Also I don't need time off when my kids are sick as husband works opposite shift and can come home early if he needs to.
It's true managers have to show they made an effort when short-staffed and call everyone. I just say no when I can't. A friend of mine has a cell and a home phone. She uses the home phone only for work. When it rings, it's either a telemarketer or work. Just never answers it. Think she just uses it for internet access. Great idea!
Well, this isn't a new problem, is it? My mother (graduated l925, finally retired completely l974) used to leave the house to avoid taking those calls on her days off. And she was working full time, pms. MY usual response was along the lines of "no thanks, but thank you for thinking of me"!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Simple answer. Do not pick up the phone when it's work calling. Caller ID is your friend. You have a life and are entitled and obligated to LIVE IT! Learn this now.
Ask to be put on the no call list. Where I work it's your option. I allow them to call me to see if I will work OB but not med surg. Some people ask not to be called for any extra shifts period. It's your right not to be bothered by work on your days off.
You are working exactly what you were hired to work. But for me, I hate knowing that they are probably thinking, she's not being a team player, we can't count on her to be there when we need her, etc.... I love doing the job so far and don't want to not be doing it. At the same time though, I don't want to be called on my days off and be given a guilt trip about how they so desperately have to have me come in. Or take on doing admissions when I already have a day full of pt's.
It's as if, they belittle the fact that I only work PT b/c I choose to be home with my daughter instead. Like that's not a good enough reason. That I should be willing to put in 65 hours a week like some of our other RN's. If I was working PT b/c I was also working another FT job, I think they would leave me alone, but they know I am a SAHM and I guess that's not a good enough reason
Jen, I used to feel the exact same way as you. Listen to your husband. You're not trying to get out of working, or calling in sick. You have issues that some people will never understand. I felt that since my daughter was born, I've had only one manager with children (who was a guy) that could relate to my issues (his wife is a nurse too). None of my other managers have children.
If you have the ability to work part-time, then no one should make you feel bad about not picking up more shifts. If you were full time, however, that would be a different story. If they took you on knowing this, then you should have no hard feelings. They will keep calling and asking you to work. In the hospital, they need to make every effort to cover holes in the schedule, some will even record specifically who they tried to get to cover the shift. I've done the same.. I usually apologize and say "you know I have to ask you". If they rthink there is some chance of you coming in, they'll do it. I work per-diem in various places, I get calls almost daily to work. Like you, I don't get the messages until the shift is over sometimes, so by that point I'm not returning the call (you can always use that as an excuse...I didn't get the message). BTW, Don't give them you're cell phone (unless they already have it!).
We have to show that we tried to cover our shifts..that being said..don't pick up the phone...screen your calls. I think of it this way...why should I feel guilty..I deserve my days off just like the next person.
:angryfire When I lived in West Virginia they called everyone constantly. I finally quit answering the phone period. They would even call from pay phones and other phones to try to trick nurses into answering the phone!!! :angryfire
My dear, this is typical of practically any nursing unit/job! LOL! That's why you either have caller ID/voicemail or pick up the phone every morning to hear someone asking for your "help".
As long as you are working your pointage, I wouldn't pay the calls another thought! They will soon realize, as if they don't already know it, that they need to hire more staff. It really is part of nursing, for most of us, to routinely be called on our days off to work extra.
Ditto.
The way I avoid it is that my work has one phone number with an answering machine--which I rarely turn on:p My friends and family have my cell number that they know I can be reached at anytime.
If work tries to reach to call me on my day off, they are going to get a phone that continues to ring with no one picking up.
Jenny, I agree with what the others have posted here. Remember, you do not have to justify to the caller why you are saying "no" to coming in for extra shifts. Don't leave it open for bargaining. I always say, " Sorry, I'm not available at all today."
How to get them to stop calling is a problem. I have had some luck by telling the supervisor the first day they've called that I would not be available for the next day either and to not call. But that doesn't always work. I've been called also while out on sick leave after surgery.
I do feel bad for our shift supervisors that have to make all those calls to find coverage for a shift. Still, I really don't want to talk to them at 5 am on my day off! If I wanted to work more shifts I would call her!
My dear, this is typical of practically any nursing unit/job! LOL! That's why you either have caller ID/voicemail or pick up the phone every morning to hear someone asking for your "help".QUOTE]
You sure got that right..I learned real fast not to get sucked into their pleas or I wouldn't have a life. I trained my family to say Mom's not home if they pick up the phone and it isn't someone they KNOW I want to talk to. Bosses tend to remember your 'no's so its best not to have the conversation often...use machines. And never give them your cell number...kiss of death.
: I finally quit answering the phone period. They would even call from pay phones and other phones to try to trick nurses into answering the phone!!! :angryfire
LOL! I have a recruitor at my agency do this...she calls me from work but from her personal cell...fooled me once but no more..luv that caller ID. :rotfl:
I was a supervisor once too and know how frustrating it is...TPTB only allow you to staff with so many nurses and if one calls in every unit you're in trouble. But...as long as we keep 'covering' things won't change. I loved having a strong group of flexible PRN floaters scheduled who could help us out so we didn't have to bug our fulltimers daily. I also made a card catalog in the supe office so I knew which nurses not to call and which ones might help out ie looking for overtime.
Sometimes these things are not communicated well in facilities, unfortunately, and the nurse who thinks she's told everyone 'I can only work Mondays and Wednesdays' has really only told a few who haven't shared this info. ;
And hey, if a nurse helped me out of a bind I always let their manager know it. In other words it can be a good way for a nurse to suck up a little if she's in somebody's doghouse.
RNKPCE
1,170 Posts
With new ratio implemented in Cal Jan 1st the hospital is required to document that they have tried to call in extra help to meet ratios. Previous to this I had a note in Staffing office that said don't call for extra shifts because of child care issues. Now I get calls again. But last Christmas I also got caller ID and it has been a godsend.
I also make sure on evaluations that my manager is aware that despite not working extra, I am never late and rarely sick, average less than 1 sick day a year. Also I don't need time off when my kids are sick as husband works opposite shift and can come home early if he needs to.
It is normal in nursing but caller id helps