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.
No, do not feel bad. Your emotions are your own, don't let others dictate what "you should" feel. Stepping off soap box now ?
I work 2 twelves a week. I would seem to be the one who can pick up shifts more easily, yes? I rarely get called, I have said no many times in the past. I also have little incentive to pick up shifts, in my hospital overtime is not paid until you reach 40 hours in a week. I would have to work 16 more hours at straight pay, and only then get OT for hours beyond that. (however the hospital gets to go by the full pay period when calculating other things, they get you coming and going, ?)
Never feel bad about not picking up extra shifts! Especially after working 5-12 hour shifts!! How are they justifying that!!! That is slave labor!! Nope nope nope!! Been a nurse 23 years and have seen some rediculous requirements but this takes the cake. You have to take care of yourself because no one else will!! JUST SAY NO!!
It’s absolutely the managers responsibility. I’ve been a nurse for 13 years and most of that as a staff nurse. Now I’m a manager and it comes with new challenges. No one should feel guilty for not being able to pick up a shift and no good manager would make you feel guilty. On the other hand I can say staffing is the hardest part of this job. I feel like I’m always asking people to work. Trust me it’s not how I want to spend my time. Also after working my 5 8-12 hour shifts during the week I really don’t want to work on the weekends too. My phone also goes off constantly from staff for multiple reasons. I think we should be working as a team. So I know staffing is the manager’s responsibility... but there’s no magic wand to have staff all of a sudden. In saying that don’t ever feel guilty if you can’t work but if you can pick up a shift occasionally it doesn’t go unnoticed and it goes a long way!
Please don’t feel guilty for saying no. You should never be a last resort. That’s what managers are for.
On my unit we have an on-call calendar, and signups are voluntary. I sign up for a maximum of one 12-hour shift a week, just to do my part. I usually get called in. In my mind, that’s enough. Have there been times I’ve done more? Sure. But it’s my decision absent any pressure from some supervisor with an empty spot to fill.
You have to look out for yourself and don’t feel bullied into working more than is healthy for you.
I used to be the same way—work all the time & feel guilty when I said no. I realized I wasn’t their last resort & what I ended up doing was buying an inexpensive cell phone & gave them that number. It was turned off when I was off duty—I still only give employers the cell phone # that I turn off—I’m not on call so don’t have to answer to them. I’ve been an RN since 1976 & still to this day only give my personal phone # to friends & the “work” number to employers. Sure decreases my stress & guilt.
But be careful you might then become a target~!!!!!
Take my example for instance. I had given my boss the ok to schedule me for more hours than my fte's (.65). Many years later after basically working FT, I maxed out the payscale and was notified that the additional money's (raises and cost of living increases) due me as a long term employee would now be paid as a bonus every 6 months and were calculated ONLY on my fte's. I rescinded my offer and told my director if the hours I worked above my fte's were not equally paid then I would be doing only my fte's. She encouraged me to talk to someone in management when I offered to help them calculate it !! ?? . I eagerly made said appointment. When I arrived I got a well prepared earful about my hourly only being a "portion" of my benefits package and that I'm not the only one who has topped out the payscale. I was then reminded (THREATENED) that my attitude was not in keeping with being a "TEAM PLAYER" . Fast forward a yearish. I was stranded out of state and had one 12 hour shift I wouldn't be able to fulfill (nights, weekend, summer). After arriving home I got a call to come to HR. Citing one previous time I was on call and couldn't be reached, I was deemed unreliable and a liability and immediately terminated. Oh wait one of the bosses daughter's friends (new grad) wanted a position on the unit too. I'm now a traveler!!!
I call the shots!!!
Yep..........I'm a little bit slower but I've been blessed with 40 years of being able to persue my passion and gratefully I've got more to give.
We are all disposable. If you were to die today your job would be posted before your obituary.
You work plenty of hours and with that schedule I would be exhausted. I would only pick up extra hours when it was convenient or necessary for you - an upcoming vacation, needing a new washer/dryer, etc. If you don't need the extra money then you can say no. I used to ignore the calls, or would say yes and then beat myself up because I was so angry at myself. Now I just say 'no, but thank you for asking or thank you for giving me the opportunity'. I do not give excuses, I can say no because I want to sit in my recliner with a pint of ice cream and watch a movie, it is none of their business. When I do say yes, it will only be to managers who understand we need our time off. If a manager was rude to me when I said no? They might as well never ask again.
I used to be the same way—work all the time & feel guilty when I said no. I realized I wasn’t their last resort & what I ended up doing was buying an inexpensive cell phone & gave them that number. It was turned off when I was off duty—I still only give employers the cell phone # that I turn off—I’m not on call so don’t have to answer to them. I’ve been an RN since 1976 & still to this day only give my personal phone # to friends & the “work” number to employers. Sure decreases my stress & guilt.
This is a WONDERFUL idea! Then again, work already complains that I don't answer the phone when I'm off. I still love the idea.
Motor mouth—one DON make a comment once, “I wish you’d answer your phone.” He never left voicemails so I never knew he called. But I had a good feeling of being in control.
Motor mouth—one DON make a comment once, “I wish you’d answer your phone.” He never left voicemails so I never knew he called. But I had a good feeling of being in control.
I receive emails and snide follow up voicemails saying "Well, since you never responded. . ." Yeah I didn't respond. I was sleeping because I work that night. Grrr.....
OUxPhys, BSN, RN
1,203 Posts
Lol no way. Staffing is management’s problem, not yours.