I am a new RN and am still getting to know my unit's rules etc. I am working on my Master's so I only work part time. When I had my job interview, my manager and I discussed working extra when they need me and I am able to. I thought though that I will be asked in advance, for instance, when someone takes vacation time or is sick for a few days... Instead I often get 4 am calls on my days off asking if I could come. I would like to work some extra time to save more money and help my coworkers out, but often I have already some plans for a day: doctor's appointment, study group, out of town etc... My questions is: do they call everyone? does this somehow reflect on the preformace review, etc? I am just worried because I am a new RN and want to establish a good relationship with everyone, yet at the same time I want to have a life with some sort of predictability so I can plan my study time etc and often when I come for an extra 8 hr shift, I am asked to stay 12 etc... Also I am not paid extra when I work extra because I am a part time employee, which is fine anyway... Do you get phone calls on your days off? Do you keep your cell phone on at night? Do I have to keep it one?
At my very first job, I lived literally 4 blocks from work. Yeah, YOU KNOW who got called first, second AND third every time there was a shortage. I got really burnt out on that unit doing overtime so much. I think there were, oh, about 7 or 8 weeks total my entire first year that I did not have OT.
I started to see myself get short with pts and other staff and slowed down. It did improve my evaluation, but the negative things that came up on my eval. that were a direct result of being overtired balanced that out anyway. I cut down on my overtime during my second year and enjoyed myself at work a lot more.
Its not hard for me to look at the situation and tell if it is appropriate for me to go in or not. If I have no laundry done, the house is a mess and I didnt sleep so well the night before, I dont go in. If I'm sitting around the house playing playstation and could go in without breaking any major plans (operative word being major...........planning on meeting people at the bar that night doesnt count.........you know what I mean though) then I should. Its what being a team player is about.
my phone rings halloween theme song when they call. i don't usually pick up.
I had my cell phone ring The Imperial March song from Star Wars (the Darth Vadar entry song). It didnt work.
The manager at the place I worked at was so aggressive, she'd use a charge nurse's cell phone to call you, that way the caller ID didnt show the hospital's number. Once in awhile I'd pick up without looking at the caller ID since "The Imperial March" wasnt sounding off.
Then I got a backbone and realized, even if I do pick up, I can just say no. Thats how I cut down on the OT during year #2.
On the days I'm off, I turn off my ringer. I've been called to come in a few times, but I've never answered because I put my phone on silence. I'm not yet ready to go in to work on my day off.
Yep, I don't answer and then listen to the message to see what they want. For day shift it wasn't as big of a deal. But no, I'm not coming in to work night shift when you call me last minute and I've been up all day.
Just a suggestion. If you know that you have a day off ask ahead of time if they need you to pick up. Maybe then you can know ahead of time that you are working extra and to not plan anything else. Also, the places I have worked have sent out a needs list after making up the next schedule. That's also a good way to pick up holes with out having to do it last minute.
A co-worker one time told me if I didn't want to be bothered by calls (night shift, trying to sleep in the daytime) to simply turn the ringer off on my phone. Simple solution that I hadn't thought of on my own. I had the ringer volume down all the way but it was still waking me up and I couldn't get back to sleep. Also recommended to disconnect the doorbell. I now use caller ID to screen my calls. If you know you don't want to be bothered on a certain day until, say, after 9 am, just turn off your phone. Then when you are up, turn the ringer back on and use caller ID to screen calls. Works for all kinds of situations. Your employer can't expect you to answer your phone at all hours, seven days a week. You are not receiving on call pay. If you were on call, that would be a different matter.
i guess i am lucky..we get paid OT for coming in when not scheduled shift (called in). i dont know if i would work extra if didnt get paid extra for it. maybe thats why so hard to get someone to come in?
dont answer phone is best if you cant say no. saying no i cant work helps person making calls though.
on occasion i have been the night shift nurse who has to make phone calls..i hated it and refused to do it again.
as a reason to unionized ..no. i have seen bad side of unionizing a few too many times..make it to hard to get rid of bad, dangerous employees for starts.
I once had a per-diem nurse chew me out for calling her at 6am. "I know you wouldn't know, but I actually have a full time day job. Just make a note for them not to call me before 9am." Excuuuuuse me? Needless to say I never called her to find coverage ever again.
What's wrong with that? she has other obligations and she's letting you know that. What if she had classes instead of another job?
Per diem means she has no obligation to you, or you to her, she's got to make ends meet somehow. It certainly doesn't make you priority number one the instant you call.
Well right now I usually answer and go in...sticking that extra money away...this economy I am building my cushion up more than I would have. However I do always answer, if I cannot come in I say no...I do not feel bad, well maybe for like 10 seconds, but heck even I have a life outside that hospital. They usually have to call everyone, and want a yes or no answer, most could care less why you will not come in...
I used to feel horrible guilty about not going in. But you know what? The hospital ED stayed open whether I was there or not.
I've told coworkers directly if there is a major trauma (or 3 or 4) and they're desperate, call me and I'll be there. But the snuffly noses and belly ache for 3 months can wait in the waiting room.
as someone who does staffing, i really respect the people that answer my phone call and just say "no thanks, i dont want to work". most of them know me well enough now to know they dont need to go into long stories of how they have this appt and that appt when they dont, lol. just tell me yes or no and i wont bother you again, lol.
but i've been known to "not hear" the phone when I'M off, lol
I once had a per-diem nurse chew me out for calling her at 6am. "I know you wouldn't know, but I actually have a full time day job. Just make a note for them not to call me before 9am." Excuuuuuse me? Needless to say I never called her to find coverage ever again.
What's wrong with that? she has other obligations and she's letting you know that. What if she had classes instead of another job?
Per diem means she has no obligation to you, or you to her, she's got to make ends meet somehow. It certainly doesn't make you priority number one the instant you call.
:yeah:My boss got a little snarky one time because she needed someone to come in and I screen my calls too. I look at it like this, If I'm expected to answer their calls when I'm not on shift then give me call pay. Other than that, too bad, so sad.
Emma123
142 Posts
ROFLMAO