Mandatory Overtime

[newRN_2014]

I have heard that the hospital where I recently accepted a FT job offer has mandatory overtime. Where is the fine line between patient safety and employee wellness? I am very concerned about this, and I hope that I do not get burned out from my first year of nursing with mandatory overtime. What is your experience with this?

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

My recommendations are that you be careful what you sign, ensure that you have good Liability Insurance, and be prepared to leave if you feel the working conditions are unsafe. Mandatory overtime is not uncommon, but it is often abused and used as a tool to correct low staffing and a high turnover rate. Proceed with caution.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I've worked where there was mandatory overtime, it really wasn't a very big deal. No one could work more than two 8 hour shifts in a row (so if you were on for a 12, it was only 4 more hours). Because most people didn't want to be mandated, it was very common to have employees calling down the call list to see who could come in early, or come in on a day off....and many times people did, so that THEY wouldn't be stuck doing a double. One hand washing the other.

Sometimes, too, people volunteered for the extra time, and anything from 4 hours on was considered a full rotation. So if you stayed one time for the extra hours, you would be skipped for an 8 hour mandatory next time (probably).

Just make sure your childcare arrangements are flexible, etc., because when it's your turn, and there's no one else to cover....you WILL cover it.

[Biffbradford]

I was only mandated once in 12 years. It was from nights to days, however, and it was brutal.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Hopefully you won't be mandated often. It if seems to be a common problem try to make it your first year and perhaps start looking elsewhere. Ensure that if you have children or pets there is someone that can care for them if needed in a pinch. Many places have mandatory overtime, not all of them use it often.

[Muser69]

Sounds illegal

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

Mandatory overtime is perfectly legal in most states as long as you are being paid time and a half. I was hired in with the understanding that four twelves every other week was required. I am now being scheduled a minimum of 48-50 hours every week and I am frequently being forced to work over. Our staffing is awful and this is how they are compensating. I don't know where the fine line is or what the solution is. I'm tired of working 16 hour shifts because my coworkers are drowning and I'm sacrificing my life for work. They are running good nurses off and I hate it because I generally like my job but this is killing us.

[Mn nurse 22]

I work at a facility with mandatory overtime. I usually get mandated about once a month, 8 hr shifts NOCs to days can be brutal. In Minnesota there is a law that allows us to refuse a mandate if we don't feel safe to provide safe patient care. I have used that only once or twice (family member had surgery the day before and I hadn't gotten my normal sleep...)It can really be hard to work 16 hours but know that if you do make a mistake the BON will not take into consideration that you were on a double, nor will management. Ask for help, and if you don't feel safe make sure you work things out with management or you can be cited for patient abandonment.