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.
I currently work in staffing and I absolutely HATE calling people on days when they're not supposed to work but its part of the job, especially when the DON's are constantly asking about it. I know most calls are screened... (alot of people have similar sounding answering machines, lol)
Specializes in ER, Occupational Health, Cardiology.
Nurse managers and staffing coordinators will do anything to get the vacant shifts filled and staffed, even if it means calling someone who always gives them a firm "No" for an answer. Their hope is that you will say "Yes" one of these days, that's all.
...and what Emmanuel said is very true. When I was Charge, I was always helping the Super make those calls as soon as someone called off, so we would have some kind of coverage for nights. Sometimes I worked until 2300 as Charge and the night Charge Nurse provided 4 hrs of floor coverage until things simmered down.
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 hate calling people on their time off. I also hate staying over for the umpteenth time or telling someone else that "yup, you're gonna be here for 16 hours, not 12." The flip side of I cant work any extra is when you need to leave because you have done your time, someone has to replace you. That often means calling someone else that has done all the time they are willing to do that week to see if they can come in. I think caller id is the best thing in the world. If you see it's the hospital calling and you don't want to deal w/ them, don't pick up! As for someone calling three times in an hour, that 's pretty crazy. The only possible reason I could see is if the offer to work was for straight time and now it is for some sort of premium pay because they are so short. I do try to NEVER call someone who I know for a fact is sleeping. For example, if it is 0900 and they just left at 0700. That to me was ALWAYS a definite no when I got that kind of call. Your time off should be your own. We all work hard. The reality is we seem to always be short. Some days, you have just had it. if so, just say no. I know I have. I have also had people come in to help and truly been so grateful I could kiss their feet. I thinks a HUGE thanks is in order when they come in on their day off.
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.
I have a caller id and don't just answer phone calls from my job on my days off.
I started a new job. They call alot on my days off for me to come in. I work night shift. One charge nurse will not even look at the schedule to see if you are going to be there already. I have called them back and said I would like to come in extra, but I am already there. Hopefully it will stop because I am about to unplug the kitchen phone so I can sleep. I am upstairs, but if you just got to sleep???
News flash! It's not your responsibility to staff the unit when they are short - so you shouldn't feel guilty for saying 'no.'
In answer to your question, "How many times a week to I say no?"
Never, they know not to ask. My life outside of work is much more important to me than money or some misplaced sense of loyalty.
My priorities, in order, are:
1. God
2. my wife
3. taking care of myself
4. school
5. work
Those priorities lower on the list will never take precedence over the higher priorities. I have a resume, a license, and a pen to fill out an application - that's all I need to find a new job and they know that.
Intenstudy
17 Posts
I currently work in staffing and I absolutely HATE calling people on days when they're not supposed to work but its part of the job, especially when the DON's are constantly asking about it. I know most calls are screened... (alot of people have similar sounding answering machines, lol)