Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Too much overtime?

After a year and half of working for a pediatric home care company I am beyond frustrated. I've been trying to find a new position for months now and although I have had a few interviews I haven't had any offers. I do enjoy the work but the schedule is driving me crazy! I currently work third shift and have a primary case. While third shift is not ideal I do understand we all have to pay our dues. My frustration is that the parents on my case really like me. I know that sounds like it wouldn't be a problem! However, I can't seem to get a regular schedule. It seems like every time I have a day off scheduled they either can't find a another nurse to cover or the parents request that I work and give me a pretty good guilt trip. For example last month I only had four days off the whole month, all of which were open shifts and had no coverage. I was receiving constant emails from the home care office and constant pressure to pick up the shifts from the parents. For those of you that currently work in home care/private duty how do you handle these situations. I need days off to recharge. They can't expect me to work everyday can they?

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    You and I might as well be the same person! I'm working 5 12's a week, and the only reason it's not more is because I am in school the other two days (and they have asked me to leave or miss school before, which I simply cannot do). I hate saying no, and I hate even more to see exhausted parents who lose time with their spouses and other children because they can't get the coverage they were promised.

    If you are psychologically incapable of saying no, DON'T RESPOND TO EMAILS OR PICK UP YOUR PHONE. As long as you are the patsy who staffing knows will agree to anything, they will continue to bug you. Make yourself less available, and don't give them a wide open schedule. Narrow your availability to the times you want to work.

    It may seem like staffing would hate you, but it's what every other nurse is doing in order to stay sane.

    Also, if you are asked to work outside your availability, ask for a higher rate.

  • Quote

    Your health is not worth your job. You MUST take care of yourself first.

    The home care company knows very well that they need another nurse to cover the night shifts.

    Instead of hiring one , the have chosen to use you and abuse you. You do not owe the company or the parent's anything other than what you agreed to.

    Now.. just say no.

  • Quote
    • Experts

    When I got fed up with working seven days a week with seven days a week of exposure to the same sick behavior coming from the parents, they finally found another nurse to cover two of those shifts. In less than a month that nurse successfully got my other shifts too. A day off may be necessary, but be careful what you obtain for yourself through assertive behavior on your part. It may lead to unintended consequences.

  • Quote
    • Author
    When I got fed up with working seven days a week with seven days a week of exposure to the same sick behavior coming from the parents, they finally found another nurse to cover two of those shifts. In less than a month that nurse successfully got my other shifts too. A day off may be necessary, but be careful what you obtain for yourself through assertive behavior on your part. It may lead to unintended consequences.

    Yikes! Well that's not what I want either! I knew when I got into this field it would be unlikely to get a job working M-F 9-5. But I thought I would at least get a break. Why the heck isn't there a union for nurses?

  • Quote

    You just have to be firm and say "no". Covering all those shifts will get you nowhere...the parents and the company do not appreciate and when push comes to shove, the parents and/or company will replace you in a heartbeat of you get sick/hurt or of the parents decide they no longer like you for whatever silly reason.

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.