Text messages from nurse manager

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I am always getting asked by my nurse manager to change my schedule around and work a different day. Most of the time if I decide to work an extra day they will low census me one of the days just so I won't get overtime, it's that way for everyone else too. I used to get phone calls and voicemails. Now I'm getting texts. I enjoy my days off and I don't like being asked frequently about switching my schedule. I know I need to be flexible and I will sometimes help out. When I first started work as a nurse I would help out a lot more because I was suckered into it by their begging, I thought I sort of had to because I was a new nurse and didn't want to be on their list of people they didn't like. When I get the text messages asking if I can work a day that I wasn't scheduled sometimes I respond and sometimes I don't. My question is, Am I wrong or rude for not respond to the text messages?

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I would treat it the same way as a call or a voicemail. If an intrusion on my offtime, I would not respond if I don't want to be bothered.

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On second thought, what I can not tolerate is the employer rep who insists and insists that they have called and called and left message after message, trying to contact me with no response. Really? I use a cell phone. Why then, is there no record of missed calls and no voicemail messages from you? You think I am that stupid? There is a certain degree of expected courtesy when contacting an employee when they are not at work. Honesty is part of that courtesy.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I have a landline and don't give my cell phone number out to work! So no, I absolutely dont think you're being rude. Frankly I think communicating by text is unprofessional and it really bothers me. What happened to a good old fashioned phone call!?

If it's mutually agreed upon to ave your scheduler or manager text you that's different ... This is irks me to no end.

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I agree it's unprofessional for a manager to text message me every day I'm off, especially in a group text. It is utterly annoying to hear my phone "ding" repeatedly since I then receive ALL replies back to her from my coworkers.

I wish I could think of a way to politely tell her to take me out of her "group" messaging.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I think it's rude and unprofessional of them to text you. When I am called by work I let the phone go to voicemail. Sometimes I will listen to it afterwards, sometimes I don't. My days off are mine to enjoy. I only pick up shifts if it benefits me, I won't be guilted into it. My current facility is more professional about it though, not pushy, and very genuinely appreciate time if I come in.

At my previous facility, my pet peeve was being guilted into/begged to work one of my days off then getting cancelled at the end of the week to prevent overtime. They would try to persuade you by insisting, "but we are so short and need you to come in NOW" as if I had no choice. Or, "come on you will get overtime and you know you could use the extra money". Once I was out shopping with my family for Christmas and they called me to come in. When I declined and explained I was out they told me, "oh but just think of the things you can buy with extra money for overtime!" My response was, "yes but when will I have time to shop? Sorry but no."

It's ridiculous. I would ask your employer to please only call your cell phone and not to text. If they continue to text you then I would stop replying. If they ask you why you don't reply then explain you have asked them to call only and you do not reply to texts from work on your days off. That's not an unreasonable or difficult request to accommodate.

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When I worked the floors, I NEVER gave anyone at work my cell number, period. It was as if I didn't have one. They asked, I gave them my home number. OH, you wanted my cell number? Sorry, I don't use it for work. Work doesn't pay my monthly bill, so...no.

They used my home phone to leave messages, which I could return or not. That's that.

My current boss has my cell number, because *I* needed the boss to call me for something, and I was worried my not being available would cause ME problems. He used it once, and for the most ridiculous thing....so, that ONE time, I was sorry I gave it out! Nope, never again. Hope he lost it, 'cause it ain't an option in the future, LOL!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

We use text a lot r/t work. We (I) try to phrase requests in a manner in which it's easy for the other party to say no. IE "are you available for xx shift on xx day on xx unit? If you are, then please let us know." That way, they don't have to reply if they're not available. I think texts, when used properly, should put less pressure on the person being asked to come in.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

Not rude at all. I get group texts occasionally from the manager and calls from staffing as well, asking people to come in because someone called off and they are short. Not my problem. I worked my scheduled hours/days, why should I feel guilty? Not my fault the hospital understaffs and then tries to work us like cattle.

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Look at it this way...it's much easier to say no via text message. So maybe they're doing you a roundabout favor!

And this is why I call people when I need something.

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Specializes in ICU.

I would rather receive a text. I can just text back my answer, whether yes or no, without having to listen to anyone beg, plead, argue, whine, etc.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I love that my manager text me when she needs something. I work hard at work and have no problems taking a minute to respond yes or no when I am off work. She never gives me any flack for saying no.

But I have an excellent NM.

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