Keep asking full time staff to do overtime

[MTRNlove]

I feel stressed because I have this new job, as a new nurse at a skilled nursing facility. I like the work, the ratios are good, and the other nurses are angels. But I'm upset because scheduling keeps asking the full time nurses to work overtime, come in on their days off. I saw a nurse work doubles Mon-fri, then on her weekend off, she was asked to come in...and so she did. I'm someone who, I just will get sick if I attempt to do that. Plus on my days off I need to take care of my own life, as ofcourse we all do.

I'm off orientation now, only two days and scheduling called me and asked if I can come in. I said no, that I have plans. But I'm not sure how I'm gonna handle frequent requests to come in. This place is set up where if someone calls out, there's no reserve, and then every one gets screwed!

I would love your thoughts on this.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 2/10/2020 at 3:22 AM, Animal House R.N. said:

Girl this is nursing at it's finest. They will work you till you drop. They are not your friend, (except in rare cases). Their job is to cover the empty shifts.

And when you do drop, they will unceremoniously keep right on going without you.

[TriciaJ, RN]

This is one of those things they don't teach you in nursing school. We all had to learn to handle the guilt of saying no, and then learn to lose the guilt. Everyone who caves in just supports a system of chronic crisis staffing.

Repeat this sentiment to yourself "I just can't possibly be my best self without adequate rest." To your employer "I'm sorry. I'm just not able to today." Like others have suggested, pitch in once in a blue moon when they're really in a bind not of their own making.

3 minutes ago, Kooky Korky said:

And when you do drop, they will unceremoniously keep right on going without you.

Yup. Your reward will be a one-way ticket to the glue factory.

[ihavealltheice]

Welcome to nursing.

Say no, you have plans or tell them that you have other obligations outside of work so it makes it very difficult to pick up extra shifts. And like others said above, if they call, don't answer.

[Alii]

Actually mine is just to tell you that you should know your rights , staff should be guided by the hospital policies,

Having said that, lemi add on this, do you about WESTWAYS STAFFING?? Or anyone employed by them? Thanks.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 2/15/2020 at 1:56 AM, TriciaJ said:

This is one of those things they don't teach you in nursing school. We all had to learn to handle the guilt of saying no, and then learn to lose the guilt. Everyone who caves in just supports a system of chronic crisis staffing.

Repeat this sentiment to yourself "I just can't possibly be my best self without adequate rest." To your employer "I'm sorry. I'm just not able to today." Like others have suggested, pitch in once in a blue moon when they're really in a bind not of their own making.

Yup. Your reward will be a one-way ticket to the glue factory.

Do not apologize. Do not weaken your NO with "I just am not able to today". They will feel the weakness and start either ordering you to stay or trying to bargain. Well, can you stay for 2 hours? 4 hours? Can you go deal with your issue that needs attention and then come back? No. None of that.

Just say a short, one word - NO. Say it with no apology and no smile, no hint of any weakness or seeming like you are sorry you can't stay to clean up their mess that is made by their greed.

Ever read "Black Beauty"? Read it, watch the movie. It will tear your heart out and hopefully give you some understanding and some backbone of why you must JUST SAY NO.

If they ask why, just say you can't do it, you have things that must be tended to today (or whenever they want you to work). AND WALK AWAY.