New Grad, work calling on days off

[hopemedsurg2picu]

Hey everyone!! Just looking for some advice :) I'm a new grad just off orientation about 2 weeks ago on a post op surgical floor and I've come into sort of a problem. I really love my floor but It doesn't matter if I'm at work or not, I'm CONSTANTLY being asked to switch with other nurses for shifts (not in my benefit of course) or to work OT on my days off. I'm still living at home for now so working extra really isn't in my prospects and also I'm still so nervous and scared of making a mistake and doing the right things that when I'm there, right now, I just need my days off to recooporate and relax so I can be my best for the days I work. We work 3 12s a week. In my 2 weeks off orientation I've already switched 3 times with people. And I've been called to do OT a few times, even night shift at like 11 am that same day when I've already slept all night and would not be prepared to work that night. I've said no to the OT and they don't seem to be angry with me, they say they understand and it's okay. I just can't shake this guilty feeling. I wish I didn't feel bad for saying no but I really do am I a bad person for saying no to OT even though I'm a new grad??

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

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 agree completely, and I'm MW5K

[angeloublue22, BSN, RN]

I actually had a wonderful supervisor who would ask me to work extra shifts but if she knew I was taking too many shifts or looked stressed she would say, "Tell me no. I have to ask because it's my job but you need to say no. Your health is more important." She knew that just like you, I felt guilty about saying no. I was easily working 70 hour weeks. She taught me how to say no. I thank her for that. Now, I have no problem saying no. I feel much better about it.

[eggyweggy, MSN, RN]

Just in case you need another vote in favor of saying no without guilt, short staffing is the hospital's problem not yours. I only answer my phone if I'm interested in picking up extra hours during a given pay period. And I only pick up if it doesn't require jumping through any hoops on my end. Otherwise, I work the FTE that I was hired to work. Same with swapping shifts with co-workers. If it doesn't inconvenience me or result in a super-long stretch or a random day in the middle of my stretch of days off, I'm happy to swap equivalent shifts with my co-workers. But I definitely don't bend over backwards to do it. I feel absolutely no obligation to help cover shifts that aren't my responsibility to cover. it's management's responsibility to hire enough staff. Consistently picking up at the last minute enables poor staffing practices.

[marienm, RN, CCRN]

At my hospital, the supervisors assess which units are going to be short on the next shift and try to balance the numbers. If they can't they ask all the units (or all the ICUs, or whatever) to do a call-down list...the charge nurse is required to call everyone who isn't already at work or working the next shift to see if they want to work. This is required by our union, since the most drastic step is mandating nurses to stay and the union really hates that. So, as others have said, the person calling you is just doing their job. You don't have to answer the phone, and you don't have to accept the shift. They'll move on down the list.

As you get more comfortable in your job (you will, it just takes time!) you might start to think "yeah, I could really use some OT," or "my review is coming up and I'll look like a team-player if I pick up a shift now and then," or "my co-workers--who are now my friends because we've worked together for a while--could use a hand and I'll help them out." In that case, start answering the phone! It took me at least a year to have any of those thoughts, and even still most of the time I'm like "nope, sorry, not interested thanks."

Our unit is going to pilot self-scheduling soon, but why so many switches if you already self-schedule?? I have a pretty undemanding personal life, and I'll still only switch if it's beneficial for me as well as the requester.

[bagladyrn, RN]

I do occasionally answer the phone when staffing is calling just to mess with their heads: when on a contract down near the Mexican border it was fun to honestly say "Sorry, I'm sitting here on the plaza in Algodones drinking a margarita." Another hospital on the East Coast could not seem to get me out of their call system and I would answer and tell them it would be kind of difficult to make it there by 1900 as I was now on another contract in New Mexico.

Yes I have an evil streak.

I will trade shifts with another nurse if it doesn't cause me any real problem in order to build up good will for the time I may need it. But the first time I ask for a return of the favor (always after I've done it for them) and they refuse then never again will I work for them.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

I work part time and I do try to help when I can. When I am busy or just can't, I tell them I can't do it.

I work LTC and many times it falls to us working a shift to have to call when someone calls in, after they have done everything they are to do. Many on here advise not to answer the phone. I can tell you as one who has made the calls, I prefer that you answer the phone and just say no than to not answer and leave us wondering.

Last Easter, I was out of town and got called to see if I could work. I told the nurse calling that I was not at home. She thanked me for answering my phone. Said out of all the people she called I and one other answered and neither of us could work, but has happy she knew our definite answer.

[amzyRN]

Just say no. You've switched and picked up extra enough to say you've been helpful. Now you've met your quota, learn to set boundaries and say no.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I do occasionally answer the phone when staffing is calling just to mess with their heads: when on a contract down near the Mexican border it was fun to honestly say "Sorry, I'm sitting here on the plaza in Algodones drinking a margarita." Another hospital on the East Coast could not seem to get me out of their call system and I would answer and tell them it would be kind of difficult to make it there by 1900 as I was now on another contract in New Mexico.

Yes I have an evil streak.

I will trade shifts with another nurse if it doesn't cause me any real problem in order to build up good will for the time I may need it. But the first time I ask for a return of the favor (always after I've done it for them) and they refuse then never again will I work for them.

I used to get burned by this too. People would want to swap, then when I would ask it would be, "Oh, I can't my kids..." "Oh, I can't my husband and I..." So I pretty much stopped swapping except with a select few individuals.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I work part time and I do try to help when I can. When I am busy or just can't, I tell them I can't do it.

I work LTC and many times it falls to us working a shift to have to call when someone calls in, after they have done everything they are to do. Many on here advise not to answer the phone. I can tell you as one who has made the calls, I prefer that you answer the phone and just say no than to not answer and leave us wondering.

Last Easter, I was out of town and got called to see if I could work. I told the nurse calling that I was not at home. She thanked me for answering my phone. Said out of all the people she called I and one other answered and neither of us could work, but has happy she knew our definite answer.

The problem with answering the phone is sometimes you get someone who will badger you and make you feel guilty. New nurses are vulnerable to this tactic. It's just better if you're someone who is easily cowed by a bully to just let the phone ring.

[Aurora77]

It only works when I get a call during the week before 5pm, but what I do is forward the call from staffing to the administrator in charge of deciding how many FTE's we supposedly need.

That is brilliant!!

[asr1a1]

Like everyone else has said, don't feel guilty for saying no! I'm a new grad as well, and I don't want to do OT because I need my days off to rest and recharge so I can be my best on the days I do work. I just don't bother answering the phone. If I'm at work and someone asks me if I can pick up shifts, I say I'll think about it and then never get back to them. :)

My favorite is when my charge nurse called me at 12:30 am asking me if I can come in since we had patients in the ED needing beds and we were out of nurses. Sure I'm going to wake up, drag myself out of bed, and drive 40 minutes so I can get slammed with admissions!

No thank you. I promptly declined the phone call, deleted the voicemail, and fell back asleep.

[ItDepends]

When I sent out applications and filled out my employee paperwork, I only listed my cell phone. The hospital does not know I have a home phone. I leave the cell phone on silent at night - in another part of the house. Oh they tried to call me at 0500? Darn its 0800 now. Nope, not calling back. I used to switch with people all the time (their request- always!) and then could not get reciprocation when something came up. Those people don't won't get me to swap now unless it benefits me also. I also picked up extra shifts as a new grad because they NEEEEDED me. Sorry not anymore unless I want the hours. Working short is how we get more staffing. If they can always cover the shift, why hire more nurses?

Please don't feel bad for saying NO. It is hard at first, but it gets easier real quick!