staffing policy changes

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

At our hospital we have a money crunch and a staffing crunch like everyone else. So far we have great pt-nurse ratios and no mandatory OT. I really respect the powers that be for keeping that standard, but recently my boss took me aside and asked that I pick up more extra shifts. I already pick up about a shift a week, but she was referring to more shifts on a particular unit. Since I already work that unit I prefer doing my extras elsewhere. She said it was a "job expectation" that I do extras on my home unit. I explained that I already fufill my obligations per my position as far as hours per week, and that extras were my perogative where, when, etc. Well we didn't exactly come to a meeting of the minds :angryfire

Now on the upcoming staff meeting we have "staffing" on the agenda. Based on the changes that have happened to others in the hospital I am betting that we get mandatory extra shifts to cover the summer vacations. I pulled my job description and it says nothing about working beyond my hired hours (of course). My boss's views differ from mine in that I think extras are a favor to the hospital, she says "not necessarily"

Could someone in management enlighten me as far as where she might be coming from? I have honestly listened and I don't get how an hourly worker could have a job expectation to work beyond her hired hours. I understand that during those hours I am hers totally-no objection to that. I just want to ensure some kind of limits to what I am required to do.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

They are just trying to passively bully you into telling you where to do your extra shifts. What they don't realize is the are running the risk you are going to do no extra shifts, or quit in disgust. Your manager should just be upfront and ask you to work you're home unit, and if you decline that's you're business. Stand you're ground here, you're extra time is your extra time to do with as you please. Good luck.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

ITA with Tweety. I don't care what mgt thinks they have a right to expect. My MIL has a saying, "It don't hurt to want." Doesn't mean you're gonna get it .

Hold your ground, canoehead. If they push you, offer to the bullying manager that your other option is to pull NO overtime at all.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

There are no victims, only volunteers.

Don't be a volunteer or a victim. There is only so much they can expect from an employee. They hired you at will, and you can leave at will. I recommend you do the shifts you must, and then after that, the onew YOU want. Let us know how that staff meeting goes!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I agree- we'll see what happens.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Good luck :)

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

Several years ago, we were told that full time would be 40hrs a week. As we work 12 hr shifts, the powers-that-be decided we would work four shifts on one week out of three. We self-schedule, so at least we had some choice in the matter, but nurses found it very difficult. A couple of years ago, the retention committee decided it was a bad idea, and we went back to 36 hours a week. I missed the extra day's pay, but it's not hard to find overtime shifts if I'm interested.

Good luck! sometimes it's hard to fight management decisions.