New Grad, work calling on days off

Dranger · Aug 30, 2015

This happens to EVERYONE. I am called and txted everyday. I never answer.

Problem solved.

That guilty feeling (I never had it) will fade fast. Staffing has a job, we have ours and I could care less if they are short on nurses it's not my problem...

TheBlackDogWaits · Aug 30, 2015

^^^^^^ I second that emotion. Staffing has a job to do. The minute you say yes, often times, you will be placed first on the list for the next time bc you're a sure thing.

Staffing has nothing to do with feelings, and if they aren't replacing the shift with your warm body, they will with someone else's.

If they are thinking negatively about anyone, (as you often will, and should sometimes) 9.9 times out of ten they are cursing the person who called in..... So ditch the guilt. It's only hurting you.

A simple, "I have other plans for xyzday..." will do perfectly fine without offending anyone.

There are plenty of new grads out there who will jump at the opportunity to rake in the cash, so if you ever decide to use inexperience as an argument with your superiors, beware that it may not help your argument much.

I know a guy at work - he's the supervisor now - who worked seven days a week for a full year just for the sake of raking in the overtime, and did he ever; bought a house with a hefty down payment. That's neither here nor there, just an observation. Good luck to you!

RNKPCE · Aug 30, 2015

This is fairly common in nursing. Many threads on this forum about getting called in on days off. Not so much about swapping shifts.

I think it is important especially when you are a new nurse that you have your days off. The first 6 months to a year can be a very stressful time for a new grad. It is important that you are well rested so you can do well on the shifts you are scheduled for. Also "all work, no play makes Jack a dull boy"

Simple solution don't answer the phone.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Aug 30, 2015

I don't answer the phone when staffing calls me. They can leave a message and I'll call back if I'm interested (and I never am).

Co-workers are probably asking you to switch because you're saying yes. Although I switch with people on occasion, I don't do it to the point of making my own life chaotic. If you can't or don't want to switch, simply say, "Sorry ...I can't." Don't fall all over yourself trying to come up with a good reason to say no. You don't need a reason.

sailornurse · Aug 30, 2015

Take care of yourself first. That's part of being a safe nurse. You are new and you will learn how quickly a 12 hour shift can turn into a 14 hour shift. This has been going on forever (I've been nursing >35 years) and it is not your problem. When you are asked to switch say, "Let me look at my schedule and get back to you". Do keep in mind there will be the time that you need a favor, so switching shifts when it is not a problem for you can have it's benefits. Keep track of the shifts that you do cover in overtime, It might come in handy. I once had my annual review & the manager proceeded to ding me for the days I had called in sick for the past year even though I notified way in advance and had only called in 3-4 times. I pulled out the schedules & pointed out the days I had stayed for 4 hours past my shift to help night shift & for the days I had come in on my days off. How far in advance is your schedule made out? Is it a block schedule? What is the policy on weekends? Are you required to work 2 out of 4 weekends each month? What about the holiday schedules? How is it determined who works Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years etc? Some hospitals don't allow vacations during the winter holidays.

Glad you recognize the need to recharge your batteries on days off.

kidsmom002 · Aug 30, 2015

My advice is not to answer the phone. I keep my ringer off at night and have the answering machine set so it will only blink but not beep for messages. On your days off you are under absolutely no obligation to answer your phone much less work. As far as coworkers wanting to switch just be polite and tell them you've already made plans for your days off. You don't need to tell them what those plans are. Planning to rest is still a plan :yes:

hopemedsurg2picu · Aug 30, 2015

Thanks so much everyone!! I feel better about saying no now :) our schedule goes out a month and a half in advance and we self schedule. We do rotating days and nights. And are required to do 3 off shifts (nights) and 3 weekend shifts a schedule. And holiday goes by seniority. So obviously I will be working all the holidays which I AM TOTALLY FINE WITH i know I'm new and for sure know that I am obligated to work the holidays. Plus I don't have kids or anything of course yet snd those nurses need to be home with their families rather than me :) I just have a guilty conscious and have the personality to always have to please everyone, I know it's dumb of me but it's how I've always been :) I just gotta practice saying no and not feeling too bad about it

brownbook · Aug 30, 2015

I used to work 11 pm to 7 am as the House Administrative Nurse. I had to call in staff during those hours if a unit got slammed with admits, or if there were sick calls for the 7 am to 3 pm shift.

I simply went down the list of staff for that particular unit and called asking if they could come in. It was easier for me if they just said "No," and hung up and I went to the next name on the list. I never was offended when they said no.

I soon got to know who would often say yes and they would be my first call. Also I got to know who would never say yes...I can't remember if I didn't bothered to call them...or would call them just to honestly tell the frantic floor nurse on her 4th admit, that yes I did call everyone.

No scheduler is upset, offended, thinks less of a nurse on her day off, when they say no. And no nurse should continue to work in an institution where they are made to feel obligated to say yes.

As Nancy Reagan said...."Just say no!" to a scheduler or a co-worker asking you to change shifts.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2015

Unless you want to accept the shift, don't answer the phone. Let it go to voicemail. You do not owe anyone an explanation, and chronic under staffing is an issue everywhere.

momof3lv · Aug 30, 2015

I would just not answer the phone. Saves the problem of feeling bad about saying no. Switching shift is another thing. If you want to be nice and help out your coworkers then do it, if you can't then say no. Trust me if you say no they will just move onto someone else. They probably come to you the most because they know you will say yes. I try to switch when I can because I figure it's good karma and you never know when you might need someone to switch with you.

OCNRN63, RN · Aug 30, 2015

Thanks so much everyone!! I feel better about saying no now :) our schedule goes out a month and a half in advance and we self schedule. We do rotating days and nights. And are required to do 3 off shifts (nights) and 3 weekend shifts a schedule. And holiday goes by seniority. So obviously I will be working all the holidays which I AM TOTALLY FINE WITH i know I'm new and for sure know that I am obligated to work the holidays. Plus I don't have kids or anything of course yet snd those nurses need to be home with their families rather than me :) I just have a guilty conscious and have the personality to always have to please everyone, I know it's dumb of me but it's how I've always been :) I just gotta practice saying no and not feeling too bad about it

You have to practice not taking the phone call. Just because they call you doesn't mean you're obligated to answer. If they give you grief about it, tell them you'll expect to be paid "on call" time if they expect you to be at their beck and call.

And don't let the MWK (married with kids) co-workers make you feel like you don't deserve to have a holiday off. It doesn't matter what your family status is, you're entitled to holidays just as much as any other employee. Just because some of your co-workers have procreated doesn't mean they're more special than those who don't have kids. I've been burned one too many times over the years, so I'm hoping you don't have the same issue I did. It took me a few years to learn to say no, but it was very liberating when I did.