Saying no when work calls

[TerpGal02, ASN]

Forgive me if this has been talked about a zillion times before, but I am pretty new to all this. I just started at a hospital after spending my entire (all 9 mos of it LOL) in the community hence never had this problem. Got asked yesterday if I wanted to work tonight 3rd shift because there would only be one nurse on (work in psych). I politely declined as I already work Tues day shift. So they are going to have to mandate someone (not that this was a call out it was a planned leave day for one of the night shifters that was just never covered for in scheduling which happens all the time, don't get me started) from 2nd shift today to cover it. I just got called (went to voicemail) asking if I would come in early for my day shift tomorrow. How early I don't know. I realllllly don't want to do this. The idea of going in earlier just ugh. I am already NOT a morning person as it is, prefer my evening shifts. If it were work asking me to come in early when I'm working 2nd shift NO PROBLEM. I just feel bad saying no. And I wonder if saying no will make me seem like less than a team player?

[chrisrn24]

I don't even answer the phone! I listen to the voicemail and decide if I want to work. If I want to work I call back. If not, I just move on.

[loriangel14, RN]

I don't even answer the phone! I listen to the voicemail and decide if I want to work. If I want to work I call back. If not, I just move on.

Yep that's what I do too. I never answer the phone. I listen to the message afterwards and think it over before I reply.If I don't want to work I usually don't call back.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I would have no problem saying no if I had to work the next day.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

I have no problem saying no, regardless.

If they do call, and I am tempted, I always ask for bonus pay. Usually, that will sending them searching for someone else - or, I get the bonus pay.

[Mulan]

I would just ignore that voicemail. Who's to say you ever got it?

Don't answer your phone.

If you do answer and get caught off guard, just say No, I can't work.

Practice ahead of time if you have to.

You don't owe then any explanation as to why you can't work, you just can't work.

[chrisrn24]

And don't let anyone guilt trip you. Any additional hours you choose to work should be your choice. If your work chronically has this problem they need to figure out a long term solution.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

If you feel constrained to answer your phone, or you answer it by mistake, say this.

"That doesn't work for me. Thank you for calling." Then hang up.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I had a job that constantly called me to cover shifts. If I didn't want to cover the shift, I didn't return the call. Then my supervisor "talked to me" about not returning the scheduler's calls. After that, I returned every single call, and said no 75% of the time.

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

Just say, "no." Do not give a reason. Do not collect $200.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I agree with the above posts. But I would also add that it would probably be to your advantage to say "yes" every once-in-a-while -- not necessarily often, just now-and-then to show you are a team player.

While you do not owe an explanation to your boss, it might be nice to talk with her about it. What I used to do is this: I told my employer that the last-minute extras were very difficult for me, but that I did want to help out -- if I could do it when it would work for me. For example, I didn't mind staying an extra 4 hours occasionally if I was not working the next day -- or if I knew about it ahead of time. So that's when I would occasionally say "yes." On the other times, I said "No."

See if you can work out some sort of similar compromise and let your boss know that you are willing to help out -- but not on every occasion.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

They call me all the time too. Leave messages basically telling me I will work. Um NO I won't I am prn and in graduate school. While I am sorry that my coworkers can not grasp that point its not my problem. I work when I want to and when I am able.