No more mandatory overtime.....

Nikki69 · Jun 27, 2009

UH-OH. NOW WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO? Do you think they will use agency to cover open shifts? I hope people don't lose their hours because of refusing mandation!

We got tired of the mandation at our facility a couple years ago. It just wasn't fair or in some cases safe. We came up with a better, more do-able way to get shifts covered and it is employee-friendly.

We made a grid that divides up the schedule into four hour blocks. Then we divide up the nurses (separate one for cna's) into three tiers (greatest seniority is tier 1, then tier 2, and the least seniority tier 3). We take the number of four hour blocks and divide by the number of full and part time nurses. That determines how many blocks each person needs to sign up for during the schedule. Tier 1 gets to sign up first, then 2, then 3 (I usually try to give them 3 days each tier to sign up which gives me a deadline to have the schedule out nine days before it begins). Each nurse or cna gets to choose which hours they would like to work IF they are needed-before their shift, after their shift, or their day off. Of course, it's more beneficial for the ones that have been there forever but in healthcare, there is usually a big turnover so it doesn't take that long to move up a tier. In the beginning I had a minor problem with some not signing up or not signing enough spots but they started to comply when I had to choose their spots for them. This system isn't better than NO mandation, but it sure beats getting psyched up to go home and at the last minute get hit with having to stay for another 8.

It's a heck of a lot easier to be a good caretaker when you have at least a little bit of a say in when you work.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jun 27, 2009

Or...you could hire the right number of nurses, and provide them with enough support that they don't spend their time doing waitressing, housekeeping, pharmacy, physio, dietary, secretary, stocking, and PR duties.

Hmmm, that sounds better than mandation, and better than on call!

Nikki69 · Jun 27, 2009

Agreed. Or at least hire the ones that want to come to work.

taz628, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2009

Our hospital is in the same boat too. However, as us nurses have discussed it to death, we've come to one conclusion -- too many loopholes in the legislation to cause any sort of major change to the norm. Nothing will really change, staffing/charge nurses will use all resources available to get volunteers to cover open spots and if no float nurses are available - mandation it is. We're Magnet, so we're supposed to have no mandatory OT anyway... I guess the law will make a bigger difference at other hospitals, but not mine - not really.

Nikki Nurse · Jun 29, 2009

To TAZ 628...Not to change the subject but just want to know if you know what the criteria is to obtain "magnet" status ? I have tried all sorts of web sights and allnurse.com but with no luck. If you have a list can you post under Magnet Status? Any assistance would be appreciated.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2009

IMO I would yell YEAH! Just because I hate HATE doing overtime. I have a life! But I do know some people need it so....

I do think its awesome that now they just can't tell you that you HAVE to do it. i think OT should always be a choice.

metfan · Jun 30, 2009

I have another post started about this topic. I have been searching for answers. You see...where I work, they have no intention of complying with the law. I have been told that they will not call agencies. I have also been told that if there is a call in, they can still mandate. From my research, that is not true. I also hate mandation. My job uses it as scheduling. When I get mandated, I have to leave my kids home overnight alone. I work 3-11 and my husband works midnights. It is just not right. Not only that, many times we have had plenty of nurses on. The minimum is 4 and there have been times that 7 are on but they are RN's. You see...where I work, RN's can't do a med cart. So, they mandate a LPN. Isn't that pathetic? See my other post.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/ny-mandatory-overtime-395966.html

pennyaline · Jun 30, 2009

When I get mandated, I have to leave my kids home overnight alone. I work 3-11 and my husband works midnights. It is just not right.

Yeah, it's worse than that. Don't let that get around, okay, because the only one who'll be in trouble for it is you. If your shift is over and they can't mandate that you stay, go home and take care of your kids.

Not only that, many times we have had plenty of nurses on. The minimum is 4 and there have been times that 7 are on but they are RN's. You see...where I work, RN's can't do a med cart. So, they mandate a LPN. Isn't that pathetic?

Why can't an RN "do a med cart?"

(What is "doing a med cart," anyway :lol2: )

metfan · Jun 30, 2009

I work in LTC and "doing a med cart" is passing the meds according to the medex. For some reason, the RN's can't do it. You take the med cart and go room to room doling out the meds to the residents. I say it is about time to orient the RN's to a med cart. It is basically reading and popping pills. I am not saying they will be quick at it but they should be able to do it in a pinch. Metfan

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jun 30, 2009

Wow! I'll have to follow this thread and see what the results of this law are. I don't particularly like mandatory OT, but I understand that when push comes to shove somebody has to be there to provide patient care. What will happen if nobody can be mandated, nobody volunteers to stay and nobody comes in to cover? If facilities actually abide by this law, I see a LOT of chaos in the near future.

metfan · Jun 30, 2009

To tell you the truth. I do not mind OT once in awhile. It is extra money. However, I got mandated Sat and again yesterday. I may even get it tonight. Two of the nurse I work with tonight went in early today so the nurses that got mandated on the night shift can go home early. If there is 2 holes for 11-7 tonight (which is probable), I will get it again. This is typical where I work. They fired all the staff and now we are short. The did a help wanted ad but when you fire 20 nurses, word gets around that it is not a great place to work. Metfan