Mandatory Overtime-- what do you think?

jessica.lanelle · Apr 26, 2011

I would not do that. Ever. I would find another job before I let someone tell me I have to work overtime. Sounds like the facility needs to work on training and retaining more nurses, instead of running off the ones they have left.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

If getting a new job is not an option, I would just call in sick when you are run down. Personally I would quit as soon as I could find something else. First, take the other posters suggestions of your state labor board and your state nursing board. It might not be allowed, then you could kindly bring it to their attention (the state I mean). This is a down and dirty fight, let's not pretend that the hospital has your interest in mind at all. How about call the local TV station troubleshooter and anonymously tell them that lives are being put at risk? Good luck.

The trouble is, she doesn't know when she might be held over and when she won't. She doesn't want to call off today, for example, because she doesn't know whether or not she might actually get off on time. Then she would have wasted a call-off.

The BON doesn't care about stuff like that. They only care about pt safety, not proper treatment of nurses. Yeah, the 2 go together, I know.

If you go to the media, do it before you have said a word to anyone at work or the job will suspect it's you ratting on them. Not pretty.

Unionize.

Be held over then, within an hour or so, get sick and have to leave.

Having to use your own time stinks. The whole scenario stinks. They should burn in hell. Good luck.

flyingchange · Apr 26, 2011

Mandated OT just sounds so crazy to me - they'd rather pay you OT, regularly, than just hire another nurse at normal pay?? Which in turn improves morale, reduces attrition, AND saves money? :confused:

OC_An Khe · Apr 26, 2011

Mandatory OT used as a routine method of staffing doesn't work in the long run. In the long run it drives up costs more then the cost of hiring appropriate numbers of RNs.

As for calling in sick, when you are too tired while helps the individual RN, only causes another to be mandated. Of course it also drives the cost of Mandatory OT up faster as they are now paying 2 RNs @ 2.5x plus benefits instead of one RN with benefits if they hired adequate staff.

purplesteth · Apr 26, 2011

Having to use your own time stinks. The whole scenario stinks. They should burn in hell.

Agree!! :devil:

Mandated OT just sounds so crazy to me - they'd rather pay you OT, regularly, than just hire another nurse at normal pay?? Which in turn improves morale, reduces attrition, AND saves money?

Double agree!!

Sounds like a dreadful situation to be in; you have my deepest sympathies. I guess it depends on your own circumstances (union, strike action and so on), how much you actually like the job and want to hang on to it, and your chances of finding another...

Personally I'd look for another job. But that's probably easier said than done. Ultimately only you can decide. Best of luck!!!

RNforLongTime · Apr 26, 2011

In PA it's illegal to mandate a nurse to cover a known staffing hole. They ARE allowed to do it for an unforseen circumstance such as a sick call not to fill gaps in the schedule.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

I've never worked anywhere that hasn't had mandatory overtime. I got to the point I expected it. We'd take turns, and I would expect it about every other week or so, so when that time was near, I'd come to work prepared.
Where I lived, the law said "no more than 16 hours in 24", but it might go to more than 16, slightly, if someone intense was going on at the end of the 16 that absolutely had to be finished.
I hated it too. It played with my mind and my body didn't like to drive home. I don't know what else a facility can do, though, if there aren't fresh people to fill the void...

I believe that the issue is that there are plenty of fresh people out there, but the facility will not hire them.

I suspect that as soon as the good nurses that have the wherewithal to find a new job, do find that new job, there will be a mass exodus, snarling the situation even more. Not to mention the extra callins from staff worn to the bone.

I would be looking for new employment just because the situation will probably worsen.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

We have this where I work. Even though it is illegal in this state. They get around it by just scheduling a few people 16 hours just incase although you may just work just8-12.But the logic is you are already "scheduled 16 hours." People stay without direct complaint to management so it continues. Some nurses do 3-5 16 hour shifts a week. So if you were to complaina bout the one time you stayed 16 hours, believe me, it would be noticed by management and mark you as a big time whiner and "non team player." AHHHHHHH

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

I'd be looking for another job. Mandatory overtime sucks. We all have lives.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2011

yep, i would look for a new job too. if it happened once every two years that would be different but once every two weeks????????? no thank you.

3dayRN · Apr 26, 2011

We have mandatory OT also where I work. We also have a union. Luckily my turn has never come up. We go by lowest seniority and can only be mandated 4 hours. I think we can only be mandated once in 2 years or something like that. I have been working on days where 2-3nurses have been mandated but not on my floor:) if it was happening all the time I would HATE it. Especially if its like my hospital and you don't find out sometimes until 1.5-2 hours until you are supposed to go home. I have always said if I get mandated and I am supposed to come back that night I WILL call off. I know I cannot physically do it. I get close to falling asleep now on the way home sooooo not safe!!

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Apr 26, 2011

I'd just say no.