Taking Up Extra Shifts!

[NGYSUN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

So, I picked up a new position on the medsurg floor at the hospital where I work.. Started like 4 weeks ago..

I soon realized that that their shifts are ALWAYS short of staff... 30 beds with 4 nurses, 3 and 1 charge... then when I came we became total of 5--- 4 with 1 charge. Our charge also takes up pts to help us out. We work as a team to get our job done. This passed week we had the whole floor full of patients.. not just simple cases, but patients with high acuity. So, you know how tasking our shift was.. Most times we hit 26-27 patients.. post-op, pre-op patients, Cancer pts who get 2-3 units of blood transfusion every other day... Geriatric pts.. just name them...

EVERY WEEK and I mean EVERY week the house supervisor calls or texts for me to come in for extra shifts and help out others. Honestly, Im already worked up during my shift this last week that I was looking forward to my days off this weekend.. So, when I get these calls or texts, I feel, "these people are somewhat heartless, how do they expect me to come back during my days off, when I am trying to spend time with my family, rest and refresh myself"... And guess what, 1hr before I wrote this comment, I got a text asking if I can come in tonight.. meanwhile I worked last night and Im barely starting to get my rest... I replied that Im sorry, but that I cannot come.. say 45mins later they texted again and asked if I can come tomorrow for day shift... I was like REALLY?!!! ... Havent they done enough?? I just felt like... who ever is house sup today must be heartless.. Cant they see?? I just felt like , at least last week I picked up extra to come help.. so this week they should just let me rest...In my mind, I was like, "I have a life, you know, and I have the right to ENJOY my days off without getting disturbing texts and calls asking me to come to work....

Most of the staff are leaving their full time and heading for PRN.... everyday people call in.. Why? they are just so tired...Theres just SOOOO much to do and so little human resources to do them...

Im just looking for a way to vent my feelings....

I don't know, may be Im getting it wrong or something.. Just want to hear form those of you that may have gone through similar situation..

Thanks...:unsure:

[MatrixRn]

I am sorry to say but that is the world of nursing. When I worked step down, I rarely would be called on my days off, but as soon as I moved to the unit that changed. I was called just about every day that I was off.

The trick is to decided a head of time what you are willing to work. What is your limit? And then stick to it.

Sadly, census changes at the hospital from hour to hour, so it is hard to plan. Of course then there are the call outs. Between these two items there will always be a need to call folks, unless there is a float pool.

If you need the extra cash and have the stamina go for it. I did gobs of OT when I was young, now that I am not so young.....Nope not so much. You will find what works best for you.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

IGNORE. You're under no obligation to respond, at all. You do your fair share by coming in to work your regular scheduled hours.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

The house supervisor has to turn every stone to find adequate staffing to cover shifts. That means calling/texting everybody. There is nothing personal about it. If you don't want to come in extra, just ignore these calls/texts. Some people, however, do appreciate picking up extra shifts- maybe they're saving up for a family vacation or to update their kitchen. You just never know.

[vanilla bean]

IMO, it's not the house sup's concern to wonder/worry about how asking you to pick up extra hours will affect your personal life, it is his/her responsibility to try to find adequate staffing for each shift, and that means asking everyone if they can help. It is solely up to you to decide how picking up extra hours will affect you - as a PP said, if you're unwilling/unable to pick up, then just ignore or decline. If you are free and interested in earning a few extra dollars, then accept.