Mandatory OT

[THAT Nurse., MSN, RN, APRN]

I hear a lot about this issue, on here, at school, but never in practice.

I know the hospital I work in does not require it (and goes to lengths to avoid OT). None of the other local facilities practice it that I am aware of.

Is this an issue that doesn't really arise anymore and has been dealt with? Or is my area just nice in regards that we do not have it as an issue? Is it an issue in other places (I am in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area).

[Canadian_Nurse]

I'm in Canada, and at the hospital I work at, we have a huge problem with overtime, as does the unit I work for. Mandatory OT doesn't happen every day, but it certainly is a too common occurence. My five year old recognizes "blocked call" on our phone call minder and knows not to answer...and has since she was about three.

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

mandatory OT will always be a problem as long as the accountants run the hospital as a buisness. staffing is according to the numbers rather than accuity. they play on the 'sick patients in need of care' card rather than addressing the fundamental problem of the way they decide staffing. the facility i worked at for 25 years used mandatory OT as a staffing pattern and felt they could dictate your life as they saw fit and was the reason i left. the hospital i work at now is smaller, has less toys but still treats people as people with a life and priorities outside the hospital setting. staffing is still sometimes an issue, but they ASK if you can stay which is a whole lot better than dictating you must and are grateful if you can help them out......a much better approach!

[Katnip, RN]

My state has a law against mandatory OT. Mandating can only be used in an actual emergency/disaster. Short staffing is not considered either of those.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

I don't know if it's a state law for me, never worked where mandatory OT was required, as the PP stated, only time it would be mandated for my facility would be for a disaster lockdown.

[THAT Nurse., MSN, RN, APRN]

Interesting.

So, some of you work where the hospital will demand at the end of your shift you stay?

I live in an at-will state, where you can be fired/quit at the drop of a hat, and my facility NEVER demands I stay over. They will ask/beg me to, but I can, and sometimes do say no, or I put conditions on it (like give me tomorrow off).

Which is similar to what you guys encounter, flat out demand, or polite request?