This is a spin off of another thread. It seems that many nurses have a hard time saying no and get very aggravated by texts and calls from work for help. (I'm sure, though, when the same nurses are on, and they are working short, they would like everyone and their brother contacted.)
I've never had one bit of trouble saying no. My current manager sends mass texts. I know they are mass texts and emails, so I don't usually answer. If it's a personal text, I will respond 'No, sorry'. If it's a phone call I say, 'No, sorry, I have plans'. Sometimes my plans are merely to catch up on laundry, walk the dogs, and read a book. Those are plans.
Before my husband died, I remember blaming him. Ha ha, 'My husband wants me home'.Ah, those were the days, being able to blame my sweet husband for any and all decisions that someone might not like, poor oppressed wife that I was...
But, I digress. What's so hard about saying "I can't work, thanks for asking". Why all the angst? I'm of the opinion that it's nice to be needed and in demand. And, once in a while I can help.
I have absolutely no problem saying no. I need my downtime almost as much as I need oxygen, food and water. They are always short and scrambling to cover shifts and well it is not my problem. I show up and work my scheduled shifts and pick up occasional overtime when I choose and that's that.
I have no problem saying no. I usually just say, I will check the schedule when I get there and see what I can do to help. If the staff working are ones that will come in and help me when I am working short, I have no problem helping out. If it is people who refuse to help out when needed, nope I dont stay.
It's nice to help sometimes, but the chronic under staffing that exists is not your problem. Setting boundaries and making time for personal interests is important.
I say no without a thought. Better yet, I ignore the calls if I know that I don't want the shift.
The main problem is chronic understaffing. It is nothing new and has been going on for years so you learn to tune it out. Besides they have options agency, float pool, hire more staff, reinstate a good bonus or even travelers. They don't because it is simply cheaper to get staff to work overtime. Many of the new grads feel obligated to help out and no doubt they need the money with entry level wages and student loan debt.
Nothing wrong with working extra if you want to and can do it without getting burnt out. It just can get tiresome to get constant messages begging to come in extra. Although it's not a bad problem to have. At least working nurses are in demand and can make extra money if they need to thru overtime, not everyone is so lucky. Many people are stuck in dead end jobs on salary with no overtime possible. So I guess overall it is probably a good problem to have in the scheme of things.
The ringtone I have for my employer yells, "You might want to throw out your phone! It's work calling!" That's very easy to ignore. However, if they do somehow reach me, I have no problem saying no, unless I need a little extra money but that happens rarely.
SWM2009
421 Posts
I have absolutely no problem saying no. I need my downtime almost as much as I need oxygen, food and water. They are always short and scrambling to cover shifts and well it is not my problem. I show up and work my scheduled shifts and pick up occasional overtime when I choose and that's that.