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

[AngelaB236]

I'm a brand new nurse, who only started working without a preceptor about a month ago. I was called for an overtime/extra shift on my last day off, after only having 2 days off. I know new nurses should take extra shifts more, and I feel really guilty about saying no, but I would be working for 5 days straight for 12 hours each day, and I feel like it would've been too much.

It was my first time getting asked to work an extra shift, should've I said yes, especially being new? Or should I not feel bad about not taking the extra work, knowing my schedule and few days off?

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I specifically think that new grads shouldn't take overtime.

Your first year of nursing is challenging and exhausting enough as it is. The risk for premature burnout is already so high--why risk making it worse by pressuring new grads into taking shifts they don't want?

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

DO NOT FEEL BAD!!! DO NOT FEEL BAD!!

If you picked up you would work 5 in a row? There is no way I would subject myself to that unless I purposely scheduled myself that way in order to take vacation without using vacation.

Working 5 days in a row is exhausting, think about your mental health after working three in a row, think about how clearly you would be thinking after 5 shifts. If others so it regularly, let them do it. Do you have things to do on your day off like sleep, eat, cook, hang out with your friends? If so do those things.

Now, if you want to save for a vacation, or some other big purchase, work overtime, otherwise, work your shifts, other call-outs or staffing issues are not your problem, Enjoy your scheduled day off

[Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

Nobody cares. Just say no ?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

If you are required to be on call, they need to pay you for the hours you have to be available because you are limited as to how far away you can be from work, limited as to whether you can have an alcoholic beverage, and perhaps other limitations.

Do take the good advice you have received here. I know it's tense when you are new, but don't feel guilty about protecting your physical and mental well-being.

[caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN]

Always feel free to say no. I frequently say no for personal reasons including my own mental and physical wellbeing.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Pick up shifts only when you want to with no feelings of remorse.

[AlwaysLearning247, BSN]

Absolutely not. It is not your job to pick up extra shifts, it is your job to complete your required hours only. Our jobs can be stressful and it is important to take time for yourself too. How can you care for others if you’re not taking care of yourself? By all means, if you want extra money and want to work extra, go ahead! ?

[FashionablyL8, CNA, LPN]

Don't do it unless you want your phone blowing up every day you have off. I'm not a nurse yet (student) but have seen this in my facility. The more "agreeable" and newer staff get called constantly, and are the first to get pressured to change their schedule when someone else decides they want a different shift. Even when I was new I wasn't extremely agreeable to working when I wasn't scheduled. I love my job and my residents, but my life is important too. I don't get called on my days off- and I make the same per hour as the staff that fly into work every time they get called.

[emmjayy, BSN, RN]

Heck no, you should not work extra if you don't want to. I have been a nurse for 1 1/2 years and can count the number of times I've picked up extra shifts/overtime on one hand. I speak up about schedule abnormalities too, and absolutely refuse to be screwed over when it comes to holidays, being scheduled for shifts that I wasn't hired to work on, etc.. As a result, I am just as happy with my schedule as very senior staff are, while my peers are miserable and angry all the time. However, they let themselves be screwed over by management and never speak up for themselves, so they will continue to be taken advantage of until they realize their worth and go to bat for themselves. There is NO REASON for you to work when you don't want to and NO REASON for you to be constantly shafted when it comes to scheduling, either. Speak up for yourself and don't feel bad at all. This is just a job, friend. If you died tomorrow they'd have someone else to replace you within a week, so don't burn yourself out for a job where you are entirely replaceable!