mandatory OT?!?

[auntsas82]

Well this is a first for me, thought I might see if you have heard of this(or any advice). I accepted a contract in CT (I am from IL), got here two weeks ago and everything has been going well until this past weekend. I was working a 12 hour night shift on Friday night, at 0330 I was informed I was being mandated to work overtime due to emergency staffing. I questioned the house supervisor about it, there is nothing with in my contract that says I can be mandated, I never agreed to any kind of mandatory staffing. HS tells me that it is with in the contract between the hospital/agency. Three of us night shift nurses all had to take a four hour increments. Someone 7-11, another 11-3 and then 3-7/ All three of us had to return to work at 7pm Saturday. They wanted me to work 7am-11am the following Saturday morning. I needed to get back to my housing (30 minutes away) due to some obligations I had. I traded another nurse, so I ended up working the 3-7 slot. Before I reported to work at 3, I called the HS to make sure I was still needed...she informed me I was so that they could safetly have somewhere to admit to. (seriously is that emergent staffing???) I watched a staff nurse work 12 hour nights, be off four hours, work four hours, off four and then return to work another 12. I have never seen anything like it before in my life. The staff nurses here tell me that this happens frequently on the weekends. I called the agency this morning to inform them of the above, and that I would NOT be working 12, off 4, work 4 off 4 and work another 12. I couldnt even see straight if I tried to do that. They contacted the hospital and the assistant nurse manager called me this morning....and says that is with in their union contract to help with emergency staffing. I told her I was not in the union... I said it would not be safe for me to even drive under those conditions...the assistant nurse manager tells me that I can sleep in the hospital. Now if I am not safe to drive..why would I be safe to practice as a critical care nurse? I have a strong feeling this contract is going to be cancelled tomorrow. Anyone experience anything like this before? Would appreciate any advice/feedback that you have. Thanks

Also since when does a poorly staffed schedule become an emergency? IMO an emergency is something that wasnt expected...not a schedule that has been out a month and no one signed up to work it! The managers lack of planning...doesnt become my emergency!

[EmergencyNrse]

I'm all about the overtime. I love it but the scenario you describe is pretty brutal. Ultimately "emergency" is whatever the facility says it is...

I would contact your recruiter about the terms of your contract.

Personally I would offer to be there for the 16 and go home. I could come back in 8 for another 16 but... Off 4 back 4 then off 4 before a quick back to another 12? Wow.

Also, during "emergency" staffing I would be looking for them to comp me a meal, some coffee and have a place to bed down there in the hospital. I hope this doesn't happen all the time. It would make for a Loooong contract.

Nothing I have experienced before. Best of luck to you.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Yes, I have seen this but your agency should have (a) warned you about it and (b)checked to see whether you were okay with that and put limits on it in your contract.

Your recruiter should have discussed this with as well as it should have been discussed in your phone interview with the facility. However, I consider that your facility not discussing this....they are there to serve you...and that was a major failing on their part. Much like agencies that "forget" that there is a pending strike at a facility, etc., this is a bad sign as far as your future with them. Facilities, I hold to a lesser responsibility as mandatory OT is unfortunately common in many places, and they are not there to serve your interests like the agency is.

I would ask to seee the exact clause in contract regarding mandation and contract nurses, though.

I was lucky that the company that I was with as a traveler, had it written in that we could not be mandated...though we could option to be mandated. And the places that I worked at that did this, I was on 8 hour shifts, though the mandation was invariably an additional 8 hrs.

[EmergencyNrse]

Your recruiter should have discussed this with as well as it should have been discussed in your phone interview with the facility. However, I consider that your facility not discussing this....they are there to serve you...and that was a major failing on their part. Much like agencies that "forget" that there is a pending strike at a facility, etc., this is a bad sign as far as your future with them. Facilities, I hold to a lesser responsibility as mandatory OT is unfortunately common in many places, and they are not there to serve your interests like the agency is.

Hey! Great info. Good to know. I would have never considered it but I'm usually working 12's.

Will definitely make that a part of the interview process in all my future contracts. Thanks

[auntsas82]

Thanks for your input. Yes, the contract was ended over it. Lesson learned...I have never seen anything like that before. I heard nothing of it before 3:30 am my first weekend shift there. The agency knew of it, i am sure. I wasnt the only medstaff travelor in the unit, the other one called and complained about it, but her mandation was cancelled so she hasnt had to press it yet. They choose to not tell me about it before I drove 20 hours there. My heart goes out to anyone who would have to put up with that full time! OUch!