Not picking up extra shifts

[mjscan_07]

I work at a hospital that is always short staff, suprise, suprise since most hospitals are. Anyways I work resource and am scheduled 64 hrs/2wks. I also have joined agency which is an extra scheduled shift every 2 wks for extra money. Yet staffing calls me every day and asks if I can come in extra. I always feel so guilty saying no or just ignoring the phone call. I rarely call in sick, 3 times in 10mths to be exact. This past weekend they gave me low census which I was glad to accept but of course they started calling now right away again on Monday. I just feel horrible but should I really be expected to pick up extra hours. It doesn't help that I truthfully hate my job and am searching for a "home" floor/unit. Also just the idea of work completely stress me out. 2 of those 3 sick days were because of panic attacks due to work. I just can't handle the ideas of going in any extra. Should I feel guilty or just go along with it???

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

Beyond the stress are they willing to pay you more other than the over time for working extra. Some places will and do. I would check and see.

I dont know about you but I work extra via the agency route elsewhere and make more money in the process. That and a couple of those places the work is most definately less stressful. That and the next day pay is helpful as well.

Rj

I work at a hospital that is always short staff, suprise, suprise since most hospitals are. Anyways I work resource and am scheduled 64 hrs/2wks. I also have joined agency which is an extra scheduled shift every 2 wks for extra money. Yet staffing calls me every day and asks if I can come in extra. I always feel so guilty saying no or just ignoring the phone call. I rarely call in sick, 3 times in 10mths to be exact. This past weekend they gave me low census which I was glad to accept but of course they started calling now right away again on Monday. I just feel horrible but should I really be expected to pick up extra hours. It doesn't help that I truthfully hate my job and am searching for a "home" floor/unit. Also just the idea of work completely stress me out. 2 of those 3 sick days were because of panic attacks due to work. I just can't handle the ideas of going in any extra. Should I feel guilty or just go along with it???

[NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN]

Don't feel guilty at all. There's a reason they are so short handed. Your time is yours. You're entitled to it. They're not looking to you to help them out of a jam. They want working you to the bone to be their permenant staffing solution. Good for you for putting your foot down!:w00t:

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree that it is perfectly fine to say "No, thank you" and not feel guilty.

However, if that is not working for you ... perhaps you should drop your agency committment. Then you would be free to say "Yes" to a couple of those last-minute requests. You would end up working the same number of hours -- but the dynamics would be different. Personally, I probably wouldn't choose that option, but if it works better for you ...

llg