Overtime issues--school assignment

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2004

To new nurses, NEVER let someone guilt you into working a lot of OT. Get your rest and recuperation time in.

Extra paid time off would be a nice motivator.

Many of us do OT, thinking that it earns us brownie points (demonstrating dedication, team work, yadda, yadda). It rarely earns us anything more than a future of even more calls from the staffing office at absurd hours, trying to get us to work even more OT. Kind of like sending a check to a charity, just to get 10 times as much charity junk mail. Sad but true.....virtue is it's own punishment.

directcare4me · Oct 7, 2004

When I was younger and a brand-new nurse and was operating under a different mentality (primarily that my employers would appreciate things like helping out) I worked a lot of OT for the money and for the feeling of "helping out". Probably about half and half motivated by each reason. Years later, after seeing time and again that no matter what you do "for the job" it is never noticed or appreciated, and realizing that they really can do it without me, I must say I am motivated to work OT by money alone. I never actually want to do OT, I only do what's mandatory---call days in which we always get called in.

Of course, in my younger and early nursing days, I was very enthusiastic about nursing in general, and my job in particular, and wanted to work a lot. I have just moved into a different phase of my life, where my real life is more important to me than work.

I am lucky in that even though I wish I could win the lottery and retire, I like my job well enough. Good luck on your assignment and with your schooling.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2004

For me it's all about the money baby. I dont' feel compelled to help them out of the kindness of my heart.

laughingfairy · Oct 7, 2004

Don't do it for guilt. As a weekend supervisor I have to call people to see if they will come in or not. People act really surprised when I tell them "no" is an acceptable answer.

I work very little overtime, Don't have to have the money and my top priority is my family and being with them right now.