SNOWSTORM - extended hours?

[guest114]

I was on tonight, not to mention it was awful in regards to staffing, scheduling etc... Absolute nightmare. I was scheduled to one unit...I show up and the nurse says "he is here, we already counted, you can leave...oh can you use that phone I am busy.." Just rude. I showed up to work not deal with you're period. ANYWAY. I go down and switch as they need me...next time I am not agreeing and going home it was a nightmare...

As I am in the middle of this nightmare, SUP asks can I stay over if needed tues for the 11-7 shift, sure no problem. OH we may also need you 7-3 since "people wont show up" Oh that's great, that's what you tolerate from your staff. (I work for an agency, not even for this facility anyway...) She mentioned we would have 4 hours to sleep if needed (UH PROBABLY WOULD) and it would be unpaid. This would be 24 hours of work , 20 if you took this 4 hour break, withing a 24 hour time period. I need some insight here. You can't have people scheduled because your staff "might not show"

I live 30 mins from this facility, and have driven there in a snow storm. It was very dangerous and I choose not to risk my car or my own safety in that again. I left an hour early, just arriving by 3PM and sliding all over the road. I can't say this job means more to me than being home safe with my child and not driving that distance in the snow let alone, 24 hours of work?! In a facility where 8 hours could drive you nuts because they have no supplies, awful aids, and poor supervision. I would be moved to another unit each shift as well, I don't agree this is appropriate or safe by any means..I'll do what I can but will not bend over backward anymore for people who treat you like junk & never keep their word. It's too much stress. I am just curious in regards to how many hours are acceptable and what not. I would hate to call out, but I have been left with 40+ residents because others have done the same.

[vanilla bean]

I show up and the nurse says "he is here, we already counted, you can leave...oh can you use that phone I am busy.." Just rude. I showed up to work not deal with you're period.

This is where you lost me. You came here to rant, I get it, but when your perceived slight by another nurse immediately devolves into a 'she must be on her period because she was rude to me' issue, I check out. I didn't really pay attention to the rest of what you had to say because I was distracted by that nonsense. It seems like your issue here is really with the facility, not a particular nurse, so how was that editorializing helpful to you getting your point across? It wasn't.

Oh yes, and, *your.

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

In my state 20 hours is illegal, no way I would work it.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

In my state 20 hours is illegal, no way I would work it.

Are you sure there aren't exceptions should a state of emergency be declared? Mine has exceptions for those.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

As an agency nurse, you have agreed to work 8 hours, snow or no snow. The facility is going to put you on the unit where they need you the most.

You do not have to work any hours over the originally scheduled hours.

Agency nurses have to flexible, but feel free to decline ridiculous requests like working for 3 shifts.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

OP, it really doesn't matter what is legal in this situation in regards to working hours for three reasons (off the top of my head):

1. You're an agency nurse, which means you don't even have to work one hour there if you don't want to. Of course you can't just abandon the patients once you get there; but you didn't have to go.

2. The "SUP" asked and you, the agency nurse, said yes to everything he or she asked of you. Why? You don't work for them. You showed for 8, and allowed them to get 20 out of you!!??! Your assertiveness skills need major work!

3. You're an agency nurse; just say no! Again, you don't work for them. How he or she manages the regular staff should be of no interest to you whatsoever.

Wow! You're completely disregarding one of the major perks of being an agency nurse.

Given #s 1, 2, & 3 above, toss in the small child at home, your question is really irrelevant. You are not an employee of the facility. They cannot make you stay, and they're not. You agreed.

Now (don't wait until the last minute), you need to call your agency to help find a replacement for the hours you agreed to but are having second thoughts about.