This is really bugging me. I recently signed-up for an incentive program at my institution where I sign a contract agreeing to work what averages out to be an extra 8 scheduled per week (some weeks it's an extra 12, some an extra 4). It's OT, but it's all scheduled-out in advance, no call. This was a really hard decision for me, as my time with my family is already compromised by my night schedule and their day schedule (we all know how that goes). But, what the hey - we needed the $$ and work needed the body. Works-out for both parties.
So, why am I still being called upon 3x a week on top of my schedule with OT to come in and work? My boundaries are firm, and I won't further compromise my time with my family. So of course the inevitable guilt trip comes out. In some ways I could really care less, in other ways I feel so guilty! Ugh.
Thanks for letting me vent. I've said no 3 times this week already (and it's WEDNESDAY), and it's really bumming me out.
lol yea well i tried the dont answer trick on my day off....my DON sent the local police to my house! and i wasnt on call!!! yea yea i know its time to find a new job eh !
Whoa.....my manager would be getting a formal complaint from me so fast it'd make their heads spin! The police??! That's going a bit overboard. And, kudos to Bethin for flat out saying 'no'...it's difficult to do, but I'm sure you earned their respect. Don't they know that we have lives too?
I always get a call from DON especially on my days off, " would you like to work today?"...at first, it's hard to say no, but I learn to say NO, I tell them frankly I can't, I have to babysit for my sister today" :rotfl:
"No can't help you out. I plan things to do on my days off".
Once they heard that about 20 times they quit calling me on my day off. I don't say like "oh gee I'm soorrry". It's like a flat No. No apoligies, no excuses, just No.
For a year and half, I worked for a hospital that rarely tried to call in staff on their days off.
It was self-scheduled, and the schedules came out FAR in advance. If there were shortages, the NM would post a list of "needs" for people to sign up to work (in 4 hour increments) extra for coverage. If you signed up, you were the first to be called off if not needed of course, but if you did have to work you were paid a differential (I think it was $3 or $4/hour). In addition to that, if the hospital census was at a certain level, you were paid a "premium" differential --- an additional $10/hour. Since this was a level 1 trauma center, the premium was a given.
So there were plenty of people willing to work extra on their own terms for $13-14 an hour over and above their usual pay and shift differentials. As an aside, during the premium census, the hospital would provide free meals to staff (on nights, they arranged for pizza or sub deliveries, deli trays, etc.)
I can't remember ever working short-staffed there...
Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.
Does anyone really believe that THEY feel bad about calling you (I don't when I have to call at 0430)? No way! Either don't answer or get used to it. Getting to be a way of life these days!
My feeling is that if I want to work, I'll put my name down or answer the phone when they call. Otherwise, I don't even answer if the caller id says "work."
I'll tell you why I call everyone when trying to staff - even people who usually say No. Because if i don't call someone, that person comes in next time and whines that they weren't called and offered the overtime pay that other people were offered. Or , after working short because no one who was called could come in, someone not called comes in and says 'oh you should have called me, i would have come in."
And yes, I do feel bad about calling people on their days off!
I have been called and I have no problem saying no. I have a life and I work to enjoy my life. I have also been the one making those calls and when people tell me no, I always cheerfully say ok, have a great day off and I mean it. You could always screen your calls and not pick up the phone ......hehe :monkeydance:
Just today while I was trying to sleep, my manager called and wanted me to come in another shift other than what I am used to doing. I went in alot when I was a tech. When I needed to leave that position, I put in a month in advance. My manager didn't say anything to me about thank you for coming in extra or what a good worker. Now that I am a nurse, I work my hours and go on about my life. I don't want to work extra and yes the extra money is good, but so is my health! :) Think about yourself because they are not in the long run.
.thumb.jpg.85a3957354ce9d2e3ada13e4a6240b10.jpg){kind=small}
Devil_Duckie, LVN
107 Posts
Whoa.....my manager would be getting a formal complaint from me so fast it'd make their heads spin! The police??! That's going a bit overboard. And, kudos to Bethin for flat out saying 'no'...it's difficult to do, but I'm sure you earned their respect. Don't they know that we have lives too?