Saying No to extra shifts, is it bad if you're new?

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 12, 2019

Don't feel bad. Once you say yes it will never stop. Staffing is management's problem to solve, not your responsibility to burn yourself out by working overtime. The easy way? If you want to work extra, answer the phone. If you don't want to work extra, let it go to voicemail. Unless your unit requires "on call" in addition to your FTE shifts (typical of procedural/OR/ER/L&D), you aren't even obligated to answer.

AngelaB236 · Nov 12, 2019

Thanks for the advice! It means a lot! At old jobs, before I was a nurse, I always felt bad saying no to extra work, so that isn't a new thing, it's just different in a professional full time job!

Salisburysteak, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2019

No! You DO NOT have to work extra!!! Just because you are a new nurse does not mean you have to work extra shifts. Whoever started that garbage needs to be slapped.

MSO4foru, ADN · Nov 12, 2019

Don't answer calls from work unless you want to work. Also know that overtime can bite you in the butt tax wise.

kp2016 · Nov 12, 2019

Start as you mean to go on. I have worked at several places that targeted particular staff for extra shifts, floating and last minute changes to undesirable shifts, because we were silly enough to routinely agree. Other staff who were know to never agree were not even approached.

When your new and eager to prove yourself it's easy to think being agreeable and helping out will somehow show your worth. In my experience it just shows that its ok to give you the shifts your colleagues didn't want.

AnLe, ASN, RN · Nov 12, 2019

Don't feel bad for saying no to extra shifts. You are not obligated to say yes. As Rose_Queen said, staffing is management's problem. They can/will figure it out.

I always considered how my schedule would look like and how comfortable I was for that day. Also, you can pick up a shift and be floated to another unit.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2019

1 hour ago, AnLe said:
Don't feel bad for saying no to extra shifts. You are not obligated to say yes. As Rose_Queen said, staffing is management's problem. They can/will figure it out.
I always considered how my schedule would look like and how comfortable I was for that day. Also, you can pick up a shift and be floated to another unit.

I agree about not being a go-to for picking up extra shifts. Unfortunately, sometimes the way management "figures it out" is by short-staffing...

allnurses Guide · Nov 12, 2019

Their lack of planning, staffing and/or retention of staff is not your issue to solve. If you want to work an extra shift, say yes. If you don't, don't even answer the phone. I had a firm policy by the time I left floor nursing that I didn't ever answer the phone if the call was from work. I let it go to voicemail and listened after. If they were looking for staffing, I didn't return the call unless I wanted to work.

It is not only okay to have these boundaries, it is imperative on both a personal and professional level. The more staff are willing to work extra and fill in the gaps, the less urgent hiring new staff will become. More importantly though, nursing is a very tough job and your time off is absolutely necessary to be able to continue doing it. Don't feel guilty about protecting your down time.

RNperdiem, RN · Nov 12, 2019

Sometimes if there is a shortage, the charge nurse is required to call all available nurses to try to fill the hole. You will not be the only nurse saying no.

Leaning to set those professional boundaries early is important. "No" and its many variations are some of the most useful tools to protect your long term survival in nursing.

Lucydog14 · Nov 12, 2019

Being new has nothing to do with picking up shifts.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2019

No no no, new nurses should NOT work extra — unless you want the hours.

Facilities should hire adequate staff.