Weird job...

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 22, 2012

Not entirely shocking. Administration wants to spend as little as possible and so they get upset whenever someone works OT. On the other hand, the floor needs to be staffed and staffing/nurse managers will do whatever it takes to get nurses in, even if it means throwing them OT.

Now, if you're getting OT because you can't manage your time properly and/or have to spend two or three extra hours charting, that's one thing, and IMO they can be peeved at you. That's happened even to the best nurses at times: the shift gets hectic and sometimes it's hard to keep up with the paperwork. I've had to do it on occasion, and I've been lectured about it from TPTB too.

When you're asked to come in even though it's OT, that's entirely different. For your protection, I would keep a log of when you are offered OT work and who is offering it. Also, if your coming into work or staying late at their request would put you into OT and the manager/staffing doesn't know it, be sure that you tell them, "this will put me in OT, is that OK?"

By doing this, you have a record of who has authorized your OT, and you can also state that you did advise them whenever you were going to go into OT.

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Apr 22, 2012

When you're asked to come in even though it's OT, that's entirely different. For your protection, I would keep a log of when you are offered OT work and who is offering it. Also, if your coming into work or staying late at their request would put you into OT and the manager/staffing doesn't know it, be sure that you tell them, "this will put me in OT, is that OK?"

Oh, I understand the situation, believe me.

Thanks for the tips, but I think I'll just do what the skilled and experienced RNs on my unit do: Bide my time and then leave skid marks getting out of there.

Lynx25, LPN · Apr 22, 2012

Hahaha, I have this problem.

Whenever I get called in, the DON, without fail, looks at me and goes, "Why are YOU here?!?"

Good lord lady, you asked me to come in a week ago.

I also don't remind them of overtime. Too bad, so sad. Write me up, if you like, it's not like I just decided to show up and picked up some patients.

sharpeimom · Apr 22, 2012

i wish more employers could use the system one hospital where i worked used. it was handy and, in general, no one much abused

it. we worked 3 12 hour shifts per week or 6 12s per pay period. when we worked overtime, we had a choice of being paid for it

or taking comp time. if you added in a vacation day with a comp day or two along with your two or three regular days off, you could

have several mini-vacations throughout the year. employees with children often used them when their kids' illnesses stretched out.

LynnLRN · Apr 22, 2012

At my place of employment they do not mind paying overtime for planned overtime. However, if you are done with your shift and accruing incidental overtime that is what they do not like.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Apr 22, 2012

We would get those emails saying we needed to step up and do more overtime to help the floor several weeks after saying we work too much overtime. You just have to shake your head sometimes.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2012

Apparently there is justified and unjustified overtime lol

ImKosher · Apr 23, 2012

One day, you get a nastygram from the boss saying, "You are incurring too much overtime, this is an informal warning that may be followed by formal action if not addressed."
The VERY next morning, you get awakened from a sound slumber with a phone call from the charge nurse, "Could you come in early for 4 hours overtime today???"
Sheesh.

Here is the truth. Administration and Nursing are from two different dimensions. They will never know what the other is doing. Even though there office is next to eachother.

Just keep a log, if it makes you feel better have the charge initial by your time for a fool proof OT pay. If they threaten again just drop a copy at the administrations door.

lol...they probably have forgotten about sending that e-mail anyway.