Should I feel bad for not picking up extra shifts?

[nursekaterpn]

Hi there,

I recently started my first nursing job (5 months), as a community shift nurse who works nights (usually). My normal schedule is working 5, 12 hour shifts overnight in a row, plus another 12 hour overnight, plus a 6 hour day shift in a pay period. However, I am CONSTANTLY asked to pick up shifts.

I dread whenever my phone rings because I know 9 times out of 10 it’s my work wanting me to pick up shifts. I do pick up some of them but they have been getting more and more and I’m starting to feel burnt out. I just received yet another call after my last 12 hour from my 5 in a row and was asked to work again in a day. They used the term “you’re my last resort,” which makes me feel like a horrible person for wanting to say no. I hate that they guilt me into this, and l get serious anxiety calling back and saying no.

Can they fire me for not picking up some shifts?

I do pick up around 50% of the ones they ask me to.

[RainMom]

Nope, turn off your phone. Seriously. Unless you are just wanting to rack up some serious OT (& burnout), your time off is yours. If everybody keeps picking up shifts, they'll keep expecting it.

I left the floor a few yrs ago (largely for that same understaffing issue) & pick up some shifts here & there but only when it works for me & I happen to feel like it; maybe about every 10-12 call/text & more likely if I happen to be short on hrs in my own dept.

Again, ignore your phone.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Nope nope nope nope nope. NEVER feel bad for declining overtime. You already work full-time! You're already fulfilling your end of the bargain, so you can rest easy on your days off. If you want the extra money, go for it, but don't let them manipulate you into signing up for more than you can do.

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

I screen my calls. If I want to work, I answer. If I don't, sometimes I answer and say no. Other times voicemail! Staffing is not your responsibility. You work your shifts!

[anashenwrath, ASN, RN]

Sweet summer child. They will say ANYTHING to get you to pick up a shift. It will never change and it will never stop. Screen your calls and rest easy. You are under no obligation and they are lucky to have you.

Nurses are made to feel bad for saying no. And it works, because we are compassionate people who want to be there for our patients. You know who else you need to be there for? Yourself. Your family? Your pet? Your... succulent plant? I dunno. Other things!

I stopped agreeing to every overtime request when I ended up on a floor I didn't know, on a shift I didn't know, with an agency nurse who left halfway through the med pass. Oh, and it was after working the night shift the night before. I was tired and stressed and I ended up making two med errors.

Not worth it. You are NEVER a last resort. You are the FIRST line in keeping your patients safe. And you can't do that if you are overworked and stressed.

Screen your calls. Mute your phone. Whatever it takes. You're worth it.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Do not, repeat DO NOT, feel guilty about not wanting to work above and beyond your FTE requirement.

I will echo others who suggest you screen your calls.

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

You are never the last resort - don’t fall for it!

(and even if you were? It’s NOT your problem to staff the unit)

[Daisy4RN]

Agree with all other posters, just say no! The only thing i would add is if you are still on new hire probation i would pick up a few to show you are a "team player", because if on probation still they dont need a reason to let you go. After that do what is convenient for you.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

15 minutes ago, Daisy4RN said:

Agree with all other posters, just say no! The only thing i would add is if you are still on new hire probation i would pick up a few to show you are a "team player", because if on probation still they dont need a reason to let you go. After that do what is convenient for you.

Typically, if one is still on probation, one is still also on orientation. Orientees shouldn't be picking up extra shifts because they aren't even deemed fully competent to come off orientation yet.

OP, never feel guilty. OT is your choice (with the exception of being on call with the possibility of being called in, but that tends to only be specific departments). You're their last resort because everyone else has learned to say no. Covering your shifts needs to be a management problem, not the staff's problem. Saying yes only means they will continue to ask instead of doing what needs to be done- adding additional staff.

[Daisy4RN]

8 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:

Typically, if one is still on probation, one is still also on orientation. Orientees shouldn't be picking up extra shifts because they aren't even deemed fully competent to come off orientation yet.

OP, never feel guilty. OT is your choice (with the exception of being on call with the possibility of being called in, but that tends to only be specific departments). You're their last resort because everyone else has learned to say no. Covering your shifts needs to be a management problem, not the staff's problem. Saying yes only means they will continue to ask instead of doing what needs to be done- adding additional staff.

I totally agree it is staffing and/or management's problem.

At the last hospital i worked at i was on orientation for 2 weeks, but was on new hire probation for 1 year. They could let you go and never give you a reason, i saw it done many times.

[klone, MSN, RN]

25 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:

Typically, if one is still on probation, one is still also on orientation. Orientees shouldn't be picking up extra shifts because they aren't even deemed fully competent to come off orientation yet.

Orientation typically lasts several weeks; the probationary period can last 3 or 6 months, depending on the individual facility.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

1 hour ago, klone said:

Orientation typically lasts several weeks; the probationary period can last 3 or 6 months, depending on the individual facility.

Interesting. In my experience the probationary period has never been longer than the orientation phase, and usually actually ends prior to the orientation ending.