Tired of being flexible

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I love HH and I am good at it. I've been doing this for 4 years now. Recently our agency has been losing lots of staff and this results in added chaos being imposed on me (and the remaining crew). I get at least one call, usually 2-3 every single day from the office asking me to accommodate a visit, often an admission "they just found out about". This is on top of an already overbooked schedule due to low staff available. I am getting sooooooo tired of being flexible and positive and a team player. It's making me anxious and nauseous and I am really at the edge of wanting to join the ranks of nurses jumping ship. I have asserted boundaries as far as picking up extra days on the weekends, but this doesn't prevent them from continuing to ask me. I hate to be put in the position to decline the extra weekend work EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. I wish they would stop asking. I work long and hard enough, and I want my old census back (25-28 visits a week)! I don't want extra work (now 30-35 visits a week), and I don't really want to see 10 patients a day! RAWR!

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I would suggest that you speak up for yourself and come to an understanding. If they do not want to accommodate your needs after you have had a talk with TPTB about it, then it is time to start looking. Best wishes.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

You not trapped. You either accept the situation as it is, work to make it better, or leave. You have all the options. You choose. Empower yourself.

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Specializes in Home Health.

You just haven't learned to say 'No' yet. As long as you can be reached and you say yes, you will be working, possibly ATC!

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Well, I tried to say, "no" again. I mean I did say it, but it didn't matter. Scheduler said there is nothing else she could do and there was nobody else to see the 3 extra patients she needed me to pick up. So, no matter what my boundaries are they are simply not respected. I'm putting in my notice next week.

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I hope you have your new job around the corner. Good luck.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.
Well, I tried to say, "no" again. I mean I did say it, but it didn't matter. Scheduler said there is nothing else she could do and there was nobody else to see the 3 extra patients she needed me to pick up. So, no matter what my boundaries are they are simply not respected. I'm putting in my notice next week.

Turning in your notice *is* your boundary.

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I wonder if once they receive your notice is they will realize they were shooting themselves in the foot by overloading you. Too bad the manager did not take the initiative to speak to you directly prior to this and ask for your help just temporarily (along with a nice big fat bonus) while they look for new nurses to help meet the need. Poor management practice. I hope they learn and grow. I wish you well.

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Specializes in Home Health.

If your manager is an RN or there is another RN in an office position, that person should have been more than willing to help out, but field visits would certainly be below them.

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The office nurses don't work in the field, period.

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Specializes in Home Health.
The office nurses don't work in the field, period.

I know, but there is nothing that says they can't get up off their a...s and help when the only person available is overloaded. In our office, the staff is as wide as they are tall! Might do them some good to get a little exercise.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Interesting. All of our office staff see patients at one time or another. I'm surprised that other offices don't do the same.

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