What to do by constantly asked to cover other shifts?

[happyinillinois]

The nursing home where I work calls me at least 2-3 times a week and asks me to take on more hours. I am at the point that I am afraid to answer my phone. I have helped out, but enough is enough! I only want to work my schedule! I don't want to look bad, but at some point it is their problem that we don't have enough staff. Anyone else in the same boat?

[heartflutter, ADN, BSN]

I was for awhile, but then we got a new supervisor.

My advice: shut off your phone when you aren't scheduled to work. It worked wonders for me.

[MissMonica]

EASY: Don't answer the phone. It's none of their business why you don't make yourself available on your off days. As long as you are there for all your scheduled shifts, no one can accuse you of not "helping out" enough. This is a business. They need to hire more people. Period.

[NewTexasRN]

I just don't answer my phone anymore and I don't feel guilty either. You have to look out for yourself. If you can handle it, go for it but if your health is at stake don't go in. I used to go in all the time and then I realize my health was deteriorating. I was cranky all the time and felt fatigued too. Once I stopped answering my phone, I noticed a change in my life. I felt more relaxed and I'm able to enjoy my days off.

[CathyLew]

caller ID

If you and others always go in and cover, then facility will never hire more staff. Even in OT costs, some facilities are told to keep FTE's low-- and you don't have to pay extra benefits to the employees that work the extra shifts.

if you want/need the money- do it. If not, it is not your problem. Don't feel bad about not covering for chronic short staffing.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Get caller ID or Google phone. Then you can choose to simply not answer their calls.

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

I got 9 (yes NINE) calls in one day to come in to work, I kid you not. I had 5 different management call and 4 of them called back to "check to see if you changed your mind and want to come in"...WTH?! Seriously. Stop wasting MY time and stop wasting YOUR time..They were scrambling looking for coverage because if they didn't find it for the 3 call outs, three of them (GASP!) would have to work (GASP!)

I use to decline giving my reason..already have plans, school, kids function etc..but now I just say NO, thank you and PLEASE pass it along to the others who I'm sure will be calling that I will not be answering my phone when the caller ID shows its work any more today and that I am NOT coming in"

If I see its work calling on my day off, I just don't answer it. of course then my cell phone rings..work again..I don't answer it then.

[Valhalla_Pure]

Don't answer your phone and don't feel guilty about it. It is not your fault there is chronic short staffing. I got phoned 5 times to work a shift on my days off just the other day. I never answer unless I am looking to pickup. It is none of the hospital's business what I do on my days off.

[caliotter3]

I got put on the schedule even though I wasn't aware of, and therefore didn't answer the phone. To say I don't appreciate the artificial "no call, no show" strong arming is to put it lightly.

[caliotter3]

When they put me on the schedule without my confirmation, I wonder who they thought was going to cover the shift? I wonder what they told the patient's family? "Oh, we put someone on the schedule but we haven't talked to them, maybe they will show up, but probably they won't."

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

When I was a supervisor.....I would leave messages....."Hi it's me...jusy your friendly neighborhood stalker calling letting you know wwe are short once again........" I would make subsequent calls if the offer got better like double time and subsequent days off. I would get checked by administration on the computer phone lines checking to see if I actually made calls before calling agency......so I had to make them. I never took offense to the NO's....after all you have a life too....... but I do know of sups and managers that did take offense and felt the employee was not a team player......I always enjoyed the noon call after nights and they say. "I thought I'd let you sleep......do you want to come in tonight?"

When you go to bed at 9 pm are you still asleep at MIDNIGHT????? WELL I am still asleep at NOON!!!!!

I just don't answer the phone......

[Illinurse2010]

This happpens to me multiple times a week..I work a .8 and I feel I have more than enough hours, and when they call me in (I work midnights) they want me to come in at 6p to work half an afternoon shift and then do my midnight shift..I never have though..and i feel that some day my lack of being perceived as a "team player" may reflect negatively on me in performance reviews or in being able to switch shifts..