Saying 'NO' to overtime

kakamegamama · Aug 16, 2012

To the poster who stated that burn out is a "state of mind".....it is also a physical and psychological state that produces depression, excessive fatigue, apathy, and all that PennyWise stated. It's a horrible place to be and sometimes a hard place to get out of. And, while the money is nice, a good quality of non-work life is much needed.... Just my 2 cents worth.....

DizzyLizzyNurse · Aug 16, 2012

I go through spurts of working OT. When I start feeling anxious, or really tired, or really cranky at work, I stop picking up OT until I decide I feel like working more. I don't work more to "help out" at work (not my job), I only work more when I want to.

Make sure you save some of your OT money or use it to pay off student loans or bills. Otherwise you might get too used to having extra money for other things and it's tough to get used to living with less money if you decide to not work OT or there isn't OT available.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2012

I've started at least two threads related to overtime and burnout, because I've always felt that work/ life balance is essential. Money is great, as well as helping the employer, but providing safe nursing care should be first and foremost. You can't provide safe quallity care while exhausted, or frustrated with your work. As a new grad, it takes time to discover your threshold, and know when to say no. Plus, employers are great at guilting workers. Once I hit the year mark as a nurse, I'd had enough. I have no problem saying no to overtime without a second thought. Now, my goal is to decrease my FTE. Life is more important.

Catch22Personified · Aug 16, 2012

I do not like working OT at my current job. People work massive OT's, they get tired, they make mistakes, and then they get fired.

Instead I just work a 2nd job thats a lot less stressing than nursing and more flexible.

OCNRN63, RN · Aug 16, 2012

Just keep in mind that, at some point, the higher earnings due to overtime will bump you into the next tax bracket- which means you'll get a higher percentage taken out of your paycheck. If the tax increase is significant enough, you can actually end up making less (or barely more) by working overtime than by not working.

The way around this is to invest big-time in your retirement fund, particularly if the employer contributes to it. If you're going to be a workaholic, put all that money to good use, so later in life you can enjoy your earnings.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2012

I did a lot of OT when I was a new nurse. At first, I did it because I wanted to be the "perfect nurse" and it gave me a sense of belonging to the team. Then I did it save for a house...........pay off school loans early.........get a larger down payment on that car I've been wanting.......buy that larger TV I've had my eye on..........get this/buy that........I certainly became "burnt out". But not in the sense that I became nasty at work. No one at work would have thought there was a problem........other than when I quit doing OT to help out. Instead, I quit taking care of myself. My personal life got the full brunt of my problems.I was relying on fast food because I didn't have time to cook/shop for anything better. I gained weight, more than I ever thought I possibly could. I became a caffeine addict, to the point where I had awful headaches on my off days when I didn't drink as much. I picked up smoking again. My apartment was a complete mess, always in that state of cleanliness between picked up and discusting. I kept forgetting to take care of things (bills, appointments) on off days. My family said I was being distant and many friends accused me of ignoring them. I had let myself slip into a really good funk/depression and really didn't see any way out of it other than to do what I had not been doing all along: Take care of myself and get my personal life in order.The only way to do this was to stop being a hero, turn down the OT for awhile and put more energy into my personal life.

omg the same exact thing happened to me!lol except i started losing weight because i was even too tired for the drive thru! eventually i realize/d my job was/is one of the only things left! but at leAst i can keep buying more things! lol

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 18, 2012

Whats overtime? I work 36 hours a week and no more. Look the extra paychecks might be nice, you get to buy more toys, pay off more debt, whatever. But I like having my time off for what I like to do and what really matters and thats spending time with my family, friends and GF. If that is what keeps me from living a comfortable vs great life money wise, meh it happens.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Aug 18, 2012

I just don't answer my phone if I see work calling me and it's supposed to be my off-day. Some are interested in a lot of OT, others are not. You need rest.

blueheaven · Aug 18, 2012

I am a recent grad and am working 2 jobs- one full-time and one PRN. The paychecks are NICE, especially after being a student for so long.
However, I need to figure out how much work is too much, and how to say 'no' to more hours. I have been working 60 to 70 hours a week. This week I have 2 days off, and of course the hospital calls and asks if I want more hours.
How you tell yourself it's ok to have a day off, especially when the money's so good?

I did what you are doing. Was it worth it? NO. The more you work, the more Uncle Sam gets. Look at your checks carefully and you will see what I mean. Your body will eventually wear down and then you will have to rest and take care of yourself. I developed an auto immune disorder that I feel was related to working too much and the stress. I got kicked in the butt with it and was off work for 4 months while my body recouped from all the abuse I heaped on it. Repeat to yourself....NO is a complete sentence. NO explanation needed. I deserve a day off to.....fill in the blank. Studies have shown that nurses who work more than 60 hours a week have greater chance of errors, burnout etc. No one needs to tell you that mistakes that we make can kill people.

You are responsible for caring for yourself.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Aug 18, 2012

Whats overtime? I work 36 hours a week and no more. Look the extra paychecks might be nice, you get to buy more toys, pay off more debt, whatever. But I like having my time off for what I like to do and what really matters and thats spending time with my family, friends and GF. If that is what keeps me from living a comfortable vs great life money wise, meh it happens.

It all depends on what one values. I work any where from 36-60hrs a week. I don't have any friends in the area and work nights to top off the social scene. I pretty much just sleep, watch tv or go to the gym when I have off . I like having money to buy what I want. That's what matters to me .

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 18, 2012

It all depends on what one values. I work any where from 36-60hrs a week. I don't have any friends in the area and work nights to top off the social scene. I pretty much just sleep, watch tv or go to the gym when I have off . I like having money to buy what I want. That's what matters to me .

And if it works for you thats perfect then! Im not dogging on anyone that likes to work extras, just saying its not for me.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2012

And if it works for you thats perfect then! Im not dogging on anyone that likes to work extras, just saying its not for me.

I'm with you, That Guy. I worked overtime for a year, and it nearly killed me. No more. Those who enjoy overtime, good for you. Someone needs to be willing to do it. I prefer having a life. Also, when you actually see how much more is deducted in tax, it isn't really worth it. Check out your pay sometime...regular hours vs overtime. You'll notice there isn't much difference.