Saying no when work calls

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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?

Specializes in ICU.

Yes, you do need to be a team player and work extra sometimes. If you are out for any reason, someone has to work for you, don't they? If you cannot, then just say so, but don't say "no" all the time. I have worked in places where we would get a bonus to work extra, but at my present hospital, you get nothing extra, but it matters in your yearly review. It also matters when you need time off, or want to change jobs within the facility, etc.

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Specializes in Psych.

Well I've already picked up extra and I've only been there a little over a month. I picked up an evening shift 2 weeks ago on my weekend off to help out a coworker who did a double evening/night shift and also was scheduled for Sat evening.which would have been absolutely brutal. Like I said, no problem coming in early for an evening or staying late on days but dear sweet Jesus, coming in EARLY for day shift......getting a root canal without novocaine would be preferable.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Same as others. I've learned not to go there with the guilt trips. If I don't want to work, I don't call back. I never answer the phone either.

Staffing issues are not your problem.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Staffing issues are not your problem.

Yes, this.

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Let it go to voicemail and don't call back or just say no. No excuses. My job has plenty of mandatory ot. You may indeed be seen as less of a "team player" by management. They love to use that line. ai do ot and used to do alot more. The only benefit was more money and I got called first for ot. Sometimes I can get up to 3 calls a day!

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

More like do not collect $125!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I just thank them but reply that I'm unavailable.

I used to let voicemail answer the calls, but I've found that when I do that, it just invites another call in 30-60 minutes because they think that since they haven't reached me yet, there's still hope when they do.

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

Not your fault they didn't cover the shift like they should have. There's nothing wrong with saying no, esp. when you haven't had a day off or are scheduled to work early the next morning. If you're on call and refuse to work that's one thing, otherwise you are not obligated.

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Having had to be the one that had to call staff to see if I could get someone to come in, I usually answer the phone or return the call. I think that is common courtesy as long as the person calling is nice. If they are the type that get rude and ******? Then they don't deserve the courtesy of answering or calling back. I treat others as they treat me. As long as you are in nursing there will be nurses needed to cover shifts, and so you need to learn to say no without feeling guilty. You are deserving of a life on your time off. Doesn't matter if you are going to nap, watch soaps, or do something productive (hey wait, I think naps are productive lol). It is your business what you are going to do and they don't need to know why you are saying no. I do think we need to pitch in and pick up a few hours every now and then just as someone else has to do if we call off; but that doesn't mean you have to do it on a regular basis. And if they know they can guilt you into coming in, or you are the kind that can never say no? God help you.

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Your responsibility to the unit is to work the required hours of your FTE. It's not your responsibility to staff it because you're short. End of story. Don't feel bad for not working extra...EVER

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Not answering my phone or returning calls if I choose not to has nothing to do with not acting courteously, IMO.

I'm not on call, and if I choose not to talk to my workplace during off hours, that's my perrogative. I don't owe them anything, other than to work my FTE.

And I do pick up shifts, but there are limits to what I will work.

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Hospitals and facilities always have agency nurses available. There are also float and prn nurses available. There should be no reason for a nurse to feel guilty for not wanting to work a shift that is not on his/her schedule.

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