Saying no when work calls

[TerpGal02]

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?

[MunoRN, RN]

Strategic understaffing is becoming more and more common; it's cheaper to pay existing employees overtime than it is to hire new employees. I don't encourage it by working extra shifts. There are plenty of Nurses out there looking for work so I have no sympathy. What to tell staffing isn't really an issue for me, I just don't answer, I'm pretty sure that the best chances for me to handle these calls politely is to just not answer.

[salvadordolly]

My rule of thumb is to automatically say no the first three times they ask me, otherwise they come to expect it and penalize you later on in some passive-aggresssive way or another. I too, do not answer phone calls from work on my day off, unless I'm sure I want to work. I have occasionally taken some shifts, but only my shift hours. I hate it when they call me for every shift! Damn near harassment if you ask me.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

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.

WOW!! I didn't know you could be "spoken to" about not returning a call. Perhaps the scheduler needs to be "spoken to" about proper scheduling. Or administration "spoken to" about hiring enough staff. Or maybe the scheduler needs to work the shifts.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

The only time I answer a call is when I am supposed to work that night and the supervisor calls me...usually to tell me if I am on call or to let me know that I am floating to a different unit. Otherwise, I do not answer my phone. I listen to the voice message and I usually just don't respond, lol. You have no obligation to come into work unless of course you were on call or something.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

More of us would answer our phones, and I don't have a problem saying no, either. However, when you don't want to work, not answering is easiest.

Otherwise, it's: "Well can't you just work x..." "I don't have anyone else.." And on and on.

I don't want to feel like I need to defend myself due to their lack of planning. Many people are looking for work. There is no reason to be short handed.

[musicnursing]

I usually say no, unless it works for my schedule. Unfortunately with my facility...one no is usually not enough and will warrent a second or third phone... then I just don't answer because I will get the usual guilt trips of We are going to be working short AGAIN" Also, I'm a FTE and if I pick up a shirt early on in the week (Sun, Mon, Tues) and am scheduled for Wed, Thur, Fri. I will get called off later in the week so they don't have to pay overtime.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

Yes, it chaps my behind to agree to extra shifts (for the OT) and then get called off later on - because you are OT.

[chrisrn24]

More of us would answer our phones, and I don't have a problem saying no, either. However, when you don't want to work, not answering is easiest.

Otherwise, it's: "Well can't you just work x..." "I don't have anyone else.." And on and on.

I don't want to feel like I need to defend myself due to their lack of planning. Many people are looking for work. There is no reason to be short handed.

That is exactly my problem. If I return the call, and say no, they're rude back to me.

[JDZ344]

I do not do overtime. I find a simple "No, I can't, sorry". works very well. No excuses, just a simple no.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Wow. Having done staffing, I must say it is rude to "simply not answer the phone" or "just say no" all the time. The person doing the scheduling has no idea who will be calling in sick each day. Sometimes we have several people out sick, or we have a key person out that really messes everything up. For instance, if a unit clerk is out, and we can't get a replacement, then we need to have enough nurses or assistants to answer phones, call lights, etc. If a CNA is out, then we need enough nurses to fill in with patient care. We are trying to staff an entire hospital, too. Just say "no" if you can't work, but please at least answer the phone and tell them so. I work in a hospital, which of course is open 24/7, and when I accept a job, I expect to have to work extra shifts at times. It is all about being professional. Sure it sucks, but it is the nature of the job.

[Hygiene Queen]

I am not owned by my hospital.

They have no right to my time when I am not scheduled to work and I am under no obligation to answer my phone.

It's not about being rude, it's about my personal free time and I guard it jealously.

I work to live, not live to work.

[Rexie]

One place I worked, the scheduler was rather cross with me the one time I did not return her call. She was never rude when I turned down an extra shift though.

The scheduler at the hospital I work at now gave me the impression that if I didn't want to pick up the shift, it was easier & faster for her to go down her list if she didn't have to speak to those of us who didn't want to come in. I should add that she has always been very nice either way.