Tired of being asked to work extra...

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, Neuro, Ortho, Med/Surg.

I am tired of work calling me on my days/nights off or catching me at work and asking me to work extra shifts. It is hard enough to work my 3 12-hour night shifts in a row (which end up being 14 hours). I have switched with people before or worked another night if I can have one of my other nights off (although I prefer having my shifts in a row), but pulling a 4th one is hard, and I am afraid I would make a med error or something. I am so tired by the end of my 3rd night.... I want to help out, but my body and brain are saying "NO!". I end up feeling so guilty. Also, I make plans on my days off and I try to get on a regular schedule. Anyway, should I feel so guilty? Do you?

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No and no. When I was young I used to help out whenever asked, but then I learned to take care of myself. I worked if I could but if I really couldn't or didn't want to I said No and stuck to my guns. When you're at home don't answer the phone, screen your calls. When they catch you at work, tell them you've already made plans and they can't be broken, if pushed.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

No, you should not feel guilty. Yes, I have felt guilty and continue to do so at times...BUT one has to take care of oneself first. I'm getting better at saying "no; I have other responsibilities".

If nothing else, tell them you have another job that occupies your off time. They don't have to know that it's unpaid (as a spouse, parent, etc)

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Specializes in ob; nicu.

Just say NO! Don't let them make you feel guilty about it. Enslavery is not in your job description. And if all else fails, just tell them you've been drinking! Works every time.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Listen to your body and keep saying no, without feeling guilty.

But know they are just doing their job and are going to keep asking. But sooner or later they may stop asking if you keep saying no.

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

for phone calls--"caller id".

for "by the way's"---"sorry, i have plans already".:no:

do not explain, do not argue or rationalize--just repeat!

always worked for me--with a smile, of course.

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Good posts. Do not feel guilty, just say no and do not allow for further discussion.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

well, stop feeling guilty!!

you realize that more than three shifts are too hard on you, and you want to function well on the job, and there's nothing wrong with that.

i also agree that "sorry, i have other plans" with no other explanation is a perfectly acceptable response. it's no one's business but your own what those plans are, whether they are to go shopping, clean house, read a book, watch a movie, take a nap, or just stare at the wall.

take care of yourself first!!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Look at things in this manner. Administrators and nurse managers do not feel one morsel of guilt when they cancel nurses' shifts due to low census. Why, then, should you feel guilty when you absolutely cannot work? You did not cause the staffing problems of your facility, so you should not reasonably be expected to fix them by working on your days off.

In other words, "Just say no."

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

For the past 3 days I've been called to come in. One call at 4:30am for me to work the day shift and the other two at 4:30pm to work the night shift. It seems like understaffing is an ongoing issue and it's not something that one person can solve on own their own. It's getting annoying for me because of the consistency with which they call. I don't mind coming in extra once or twice a month, but anything over that is seriously asking too much. 12 hour shifts are draining regardless of which shift you work. And the body needs time to recooperate before it can move on.

Don't feel bad. Just do what you can and leave it at that.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I don't agree with the above replies. I don't think you should go in everytime they call, but if you are shorthanded as a rule of thumb (sounds like it) I think it is only courtesy to help out time to time.

I try to help out from time to time, because there have been days that would have been untolerable if not for some agreeing to come in. I feel like I owe it too them to return the favor. We had a few bad months, and we all had to do a little extra. Now they have hired a few new nurses, and it is much better and we can get back to normal.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I don't agree with the above replies. I don't think you should go in everytime they call, but if you are shorthanded as a rule of thumb (sounds like it) I think it is only courtesy to help out time to time.

I try to help out from time to time, because there have been days that would have been untolerable if not for some agreeing to come in. I feel like I owe it too them to return the favor. We had a few bad months, and we all had to do a little extra. Now they have hired a few new nurses, and it is much better and we can get back to normal.

That is why, if I'm feeling froggy on my day off, I will call them and ask if they need me.

Otherwise, there's a signup sheet in the break room for shifts that need covering and a clear understanding that those who sign up ahead of time will get bonus pay.

But for them to call you and ask you to work on every day off, or to call you multipile times on your day off? That's just too intrusive. JMO.

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