Mandatory Overtime

[ChknWing]

This question is for US nurses.

I am a nurse in a unionized hospital within a state that has made mandatory overtime for nurses illegal.

We are considering an out-of-state move, and I only recently learned that there are many other states that require their nurses to work more than the 36/40 hours per week which they are hired to work, with your job being at risk if you refuse to do so.

I have searched the boards for additional information and I still have so many questions about this. Is it a standard practice statewide? Is it hospital specific? Is this disclosed during the interview process? Is there any way to opt out? Are "mandatory overtime" facilities generally not great places to work, meaning would this be a red flag if it came up in a job search?

We would be moving for a better quality of life for our young family, but being mandated to work extra hours will impact our quality of life in a negative way. If anything, I am hoping to work less hours when we move vs more. 

Thank you in advance for any insight you can offer. 

[ChknWing, BSN, RN]

8 hours ago, KalipsoRed21 said:

I’ve worked at 9 facilities in 4 states. I would say 50% have a policy like this and in trying times the other 50% come up with one for the interim until staffing improves. I would also note that the type of nursing you are working could make this more or less likely (ER and home health were the two areas where I experienced this a lot; the floor or case management, less so.) 

yes you should ask about these requirements in the interview and DO NOT pick a job that has them…or offer yourself for part time work at that facility and see if they take you up on it.

thank you!

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

Take heed ,you will be leaving the frying pan and jumping into the fire.Working conditions  and mandatory OT (for which many do not pay time and a half) ,some just give time owed which is illegal.Also you will be at the bottom of the seniority pole in a new place...think hard..or consider non hospital employment.

Many have experienced that call telling you to come in at 3 am,get an assignment and at 7am got another different patient load.Left that forsaken place.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 11/27/2021 at 11:29 AM, ChknWing said:

I'm in a unionized hospital in a state where mandatory overtime is illegal. If we are short staffed, they offer incentives to come in, but it is never required. Until I started looking at job opportunities in other states, I was not even aware that mandatory overtime was a thing that happened, and frankly it sounds awful.  

It would depend on how much OT you would be mandated to work.  How often, how many hours?  

Is it actually truly forced (mandated) or is "mandated, mandatory" just being said?

I would want to read the rules before hiring on.  In other words, what does the actual contract/employee handbook say?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

On 11/28/2021 at 12:53 PM, ChknWing said:

yes I definitely feel like the legality of what exactly is considered "patient abandonment" is not understood. and I've read people say that employers will use that as a threat when you decline overtime etc when that is not correct or accurate (nevermind also being inappropriate).

Are you sure you have to move?

[PollywogNP, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, NP]

On 11/30/2021 at 6:05 AM, ChknWing said:

they have a perinatal psych unit and that is my niche. 

Wait, what! A perinatal psych unit! Wow have never heard of this specialty!

[chare]

3 hours ago, PollywogNP said:

Wait, what! A perinatal psych unit! Wow have never heard of this specialty!

Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

I also work at a state-run, unionized hospital with mandatory overtime.  We have to work MOTs unless the staff has FMLA.   Essentially, we can get MOTs for days on end.  I have had to work a MOT for every shift in a pay period many times which leads to 9 double shifts.  

[toomuchbaloney]

2 hours ago, chare said:

Perinatal Psychiatry Inpatient Unit

The regional health center that my spouse worked for enjoyed a large perinatal inpatient unit which collaborated with the psychiatric unit to provide mental and behavioral health support for women with reproductive health needs.  There is a whole world of unmet psychological needs among women of child bearing age. 

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

I don't even know how nurses work full time anymore. You have to be young and single I guess.

[ChknWing, BSN, RN]

9 minutes ago, 2BS Nurse said:

I don't even know how nurses work full time anymore. You have to be young and single I guess.

I'm neither and I've got no problem working full time. My issue would be working extra hours on top of that.

On 12/5/2021 at 5:58 AM, SarahMaria said:

I also work at a state-run, unionized hospital with mandatory overtime.  We have to work MOTs unless the staff has FMLA.   Essentially, we can get MOTs for days on end.  I have had to work a MOT for every shift in a pay period many times which leads to 9 double shifts.  

that sounds like my worst nightmare

[ChknWing, BSN, RN]

On 12/5/2021 at 1:50 AM, PollywogNP said:

Wait, what! A perinatal psych unit! Wow have never heard of this specialty!

there are only 3 in the country. it is a much needed service. I would absolutely love it there..... for 36 hours a week

On 12/5/2021 at 1:08 AM, Kooky Korky said:

Are you sure you have to move?

we don't have to move. but getting out of our home state is always something we have talked about doing.

[PollywogNP, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, NP]

5 minutes ago, ChknWing said:

there are only 3 in the country. it is a much needed service. 

Only 3? Wow!

5 minutes ago, ChknWing said: