Should I feel guilty about not picking up extra shifts?

[RNDude16]

Sometimes I pick up extra hours at work by staying late when asked as well as picking up extra shifts when I am able. I feel guilty when I get a text asking me to pick up a shift when I am unavailable due to responsibilities with my wife and kids. I am part time (2 shifts per week) and I pick up when I can. I just feel guilty saying no when I am not able to pick up. I don't want to get fired or anything. My wife works full time and I stay home with the kids when I am not scheduled to work. I try to pick up extra shifts when a babysitter is available. Should I feel bad?

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

In a word: no. Only work extra if you want to, otherwise your employer's understaffing is their problem to solve.

[beekee]

No. No need to feel guilty. And, remember, if they fire you, they have 2 more shifts a week to fill (in other words, you won't get fired for not picking up).

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Nope! It's not your job to staff the unit. Enjoy your Daddy time.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I had a hard time learning to say "no" when I first became a nurse. Then working 6-7 12 hour shifts a week got old very quick (many not quick enough, it took a couple of years to learn to say no. Then one day it was "hell no!". Supervisor actually got a good laugh out of that one. My group was a horror show).

It's okay to say no. If you have no one to watch your kids (not that it's any of their business if you could find a sitter) then you would have to say "no". They can't watch themselves and they certainly cannot come with you. My work is well aware that I have no one to watch my daughter almost every day that I have off. They still call/text, less now after two years of mostly "no's", but they understand I can't pull a sitter out of think air. Others have no obligations outside of work and also turn down extra time which is perfectly fine. Your off time is your business. If you wish to do nothing but stare at the walls/sleep/overdose on Netflix it's your business.

I have never heard of anyone getting fired because they won't pick up shifts. That would be cutting off their nose to spite their face. Sounds like they need to hire more staff. If it's a high census issue, then maybe some extra PRN or Pool staff that don't work often and may have other PT/FT jobs.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

You committed to fill your shifts, and you are doing that. Anything else is frosting.

when you say no, don't explain, don't apologize, don't make excuses. Just "no, thank you" or they will smell weakness and try to persuade you. And never ever answer the phone when you first wake up, because your soul is WEAK then, and they can tell.