Mandatory

Nurses COVID

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I just found out that my hospital in Florida is requiring mandatory to for nurses and pct. My director said all hospitals are doing this across the country. Are others dealing with this and is there anyway to protest this in the state of Florida or are we basically at the mercy of "management". I have a chronic condition which is challenging enough working 3, 13-14 hour days each week. We are constantly understaffed, without functioning equipment and we are forced to take whatever ER patient they decide to admit. I love caring for patients, but if things continue the way they are, they are going to lose a lot of nurses.

Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty AND Child/Adolescent Psych.

Florida is one of 8 states in the country without the public policy exception to "at will employment" law. It is aso a "right to work" state.

So yeah we are at the "mercy" of management,

Hope the mandatory OT is short lived for you!

My facility is smaller only about 26 nurses total....we just had two nurses test positive for covid and had two nurses (with some symptoms) out waiting on their covid test results all around the same time (about 10 days ago).... the two positive nurses are still out and after other 2 nurses are just now back on the schedule. Thankfully enough nurses voluntarily picked up the needed shifts...if not ( or if it had been more nurses out at the same time ) it was implied mandatory OT would have been the policy here too. Great timing with this dang Hurricane as well as we get ready to initiate "storm team" (nurses who will have to remain at the faculty for the duration of the storm.

Hang in there!

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Are they at least giving a reward like combat pay or something? I figured FL would be at critical staffing levels with the virus run amok.

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Specializes in oncology.

I understand you want to provide care and work during this difficult time but you can use FMLA if you feel this will lead to health problems. But I would find out what the OT terms are and many others may want to take the time.

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12 hours ago, NurseBlaq said:

Are they at least giving a reward like combat pay or something? I figured FL would be at critical staffing levels with the virus run amok.

They are paying a bonus amount for the extra shift, but sometimes the extra money doesn't seem to be worth the stress it puts on the body and well-being.

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10 hours ago, londonflo said:

I understand you want to provide care and work during this difficult time but you can use FMLA if you feel this will lead to health problems. But I would find out what the OT terms are and many others may want to take the time.

I have heard of FMLA, but don't know much about it. I think I will try to hold off and see if this will actually be a short lived mandatory requirement. But, if it goes on for an extended period of time with no end in sight, I will definitely have to do something! Thanks for the recommendation!

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty AND Child/Adolescent Psych.

If you have worked there for at least a year you are eligible for FMLA which is up to 12 weeks off with the guarantee that your job will be there for you when you come back. BUT I thought you could only use FMLA for a medical issue with yourself or of a medical issue with someone in your immediate family ( that you would have to care for) So I believe you would need some sort of Doctors note to be protected under the FMLA....Definitely ask HR.

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6 hours ago, areason4stars said:

If you have worked there for at least a year you are eligible for FMLA which is up to 12 weeks off with the guarantee that your job will be there for you when you come back. BUT I thought you could only use FMLA for a medical issue with yourself or of a medical issue with someone in your immediate family ( that you would have to care for) So I believe you would need some sort of Doctors note to be protected under the FMLA....Definitely ask HR.

You are correct. A doctor needs to fill out a form outlining the reason you need it and it has to be approved by HR. Also, people seem to be confused about FMLA. There is no pay that comes along with it. It simply protects your employment status for up to 12 weeks. It does not protect your specific job although they are required to give you a similar or similarly paid position when you return. In order to be paid you would have to use your PTO which goes fast. Then you must consider what if you actually get sick or hurt? Now you’ve used up your FMLA and your PTO. Not a good position to be in.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I am agency now and I choose my own shifts.

One thing to keep in mind is that if they are requiring overtime, they are also unlikely to be able to replace you and it would probably be very stupid for them to fire you for not making your overtime.

Not to say they are not stupid. They might be.

But you actually do have some power here, because it's unlikely HR is going to allow them to fire you without a really good reason.

If I were you, I would tell my supervisor I am unable to do the overtime for personal reasons.

When sup explains that its mandatory and you have no choice, don't argue.

Then call out 2 hours before your shift or whatever the standard is.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I'll bet you don't get fired. I won't promise there won't be drama; SOMEone will probably have a tantrum, but I doubt you'll be fired.

And if you are fired, pick up shifts with the agency they will eventually use because they are desperate and can't staff the hospital. The agency nurses will likely be making double what you're making right now and they will get to pick their own shifts.

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Well, we were told if we call out, then we will just have to make up the time. I would love to do agency instead, but I have to have benefits/health insurance. You are right though...they can't keep staff which is why they are unable to staff the floor. They usually offer bonus incentive, but I am sure a lot less people offered to work extra because of how bad the working conditions have been. I am taking it from day to day and trying to not make any impulsive decisions. It's just an awful feeling to feel like they "own you". I know that this is not totally true because you always have the option to leave, but I don't want to be job hopping especially during this pandemic.

3 hours ago, Wuzzie said:

You are correct. A doctor needs to fill out a form outlining the reason you need it and it has to be approved by HR. Also, people seem to be confused about FMLA. There is no pay that comes along with it. It simply protects your employment status for up to 12 weeks. It does not protect your specific job although they are required to give you a similar or similarly paid position when you return. In order to be paid you would have to use your PTO which goes fast. Then you must consider what if you actually get sick or hurt? Now you’ve used up your FMLA and your PTO. Not a good position to be in.

I agree. Using up FMLA is not a place I want to be in. I don't think I would want to risk it using it up for the current situation. I can't survive without a paycheck, so I don't think I would want to go this route.

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On 7/29/2020 at 10:24 PM, runner502 said:

I just found out that my hospital in Florida is requiring mandatory to for nurses and pct. My director said all hospitals are doing this across the country. Are others dealing with this and is there anyway to protest this in the state of Florida or are we basically at the mercy of "management". I have a chronic condition which is challenging enough working 3, 13-14 hour days each week. We are constantly understaffed, without functioning equipment and we are forced to take whatever ER patient they decide to admit. I love caring for patients, but if things continue the way they are, they are going to lose a lot of nurses.

If you don't think you can do it safely, get evaluated and a note from your doctor limiting your hours, number of days you can work a week. I write these notes all the time for people who get mandated and have chronic conditions or injuries. Generally I see " it is recommended that Jane doe not work work more than their scheduled 8 hours in one day, no more than 5 days a week"

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

So far no. They are offering bonuses for working an overtime shift, and a contract that if you work an extra 12 hour shift for eight weeks, you get a $2,000 bonus.

Thankfully I've never been through such mandates but I would burn with resentment about it. I do overtime myself, but not everyone is physically capable, nor does it fit in with their family life (childcare, family time, etc.). I hate the idea.

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2 hours ago, Tweety said:

So far no. They are offering bonuses for working an overtime shift, and a contract that if you work an extra 12 hour shift for eight weeks, you get a $2,000 bonus.

Thankfully I've never been through such mandates but I would burn with resentment about it. I do overtime myself, but not everyone is physically capable, nor does it fit in with their family life (childcare, family time, etc.). I hate the idea.

Yes I do resent the fact that it's mandated. It is definitely going to put a toll on my body because I do have a chronic condition that is a daily struggle to begin with. I am able to do my job, but know my limitations. Frustrating that I have to choose between taking care of my body/health vs. abiding by the "rules" of my workplace.

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