What to do by constantly asked to cover other shifts?

cherryblossom88 · Mar 3, 2011

Dont answer your phone, let them leave voicemail and if you want to pick up the extra hours, then call them back. Thats what I do. I NEVER answer my phone when it's work calling. They ALWAYS leave a voicemail.

MissBrahmsRN · Mar 3, 2011

my boss has extra slots in the book that you can sign up for anytime you want. if people call in and they cant get the internal staffing agency then they go down the list & ask if anyone would like to come in. she is pretty neutral about it. they do call again if the deal is sweetened like bonus pay is offered.

if you like/need the money then do it.

i never come in, the extra money is not worth my time, i have a hard enough time detoxing from my 3 shifts as it is...plus right now the major shortage is on day shift and i refuse to work day shift. we have caller ID and most of the time i dont bother to answer my phone. didnt hire enough staff? not my prob.

mrscoozy · Mar 3, 2011

I get called a lot too...have overtime almost every week. But when they called the other morning at 10:30 after I had worked 3 12hr nite shifts...one nite off...then 3 more....I was sooo mad they woke me up I may never do overtime again! Have some respect people!!

DDdove, LPN · Mar 3, 2011

This is so sad because there are so many of use who need jobs but it is cheeper for them to work you over a few hours then hire someone new and pay insurance etc. I can't understand how I can sit and read the overworked, overstressed, nurses talking about not being able to care for residents correctly,forced to document lies to save their jobs, etc and state turns their heads to the stuff that happens in LTC. I feel so sorry for residents and staff that get used just for business to make a buck. I am really needing a job bad but at the same time I know I will be selling my soul to business men and not the ones I intended to give it to.... my patients. Does anyone call state when understaffed continuously or just put up with it.

Popwhizbangz, LPN · Mar 3, 2011

I agree with all above - Def. don't answer the phone if it gets to be a problem.

These days I get ALL my shifts by request - phone calls, e-mails, or in person.

I provide detailed, very clear Availability information - don't say why I 'm not available on a given day, but definitely say whether. It helps. Still need to screen my calls sometimes.

:yeah:

Popwhizbangz, LPN · Mar 3, 2011

Oh , and "Team Player" is one of the most mis-used and abused phrases in modern life - often enough means "Give me what I want, take care of my need before yours, or else" That, by no means, is any kind of teamwork - nor is saving your employer money, by any means, teamwork. Don't be fooled or bamboozled.

NoFlorenceRN · Mar 3, 2011

i hope that i don't offend anyone. the majority of responses have been to not answer the phone. and there has been some talk of not presenting as a team player. but i think that not answering the phone is obvious to your employer that you are saying "no" in essence.

it's not the easy road by any means, but i do answer the phone. and i politely but firmly assert my boundaries by telling them that i will not work. and if i am not available for extra shifts for the rest of the week, i tell them that too. if they do call me again later in the week, i remind them what i said the first time...and make it clear that i am irritated. i believe that if we don't openly set our boundaries...nothing is ever going to change.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

Don't answer your phone!!!!

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2011

As everyone else has told you - get an answering machine so you can screen your calls. Answer only the ones you want to answer. Much easier than having to talk directly to an unwanted caller.

Don't feel guilty. This happens all day every day, to lots of us. It's nice to be needed, right? Screw up and, trust me, they'll quit calling so fast it will talke your breath away.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2011

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......

unplug the phone entirely. Get a cheap throwawy phone for only emergencies and give that cheapy phone number to only those from whom you want to reach you if they have an emergency (kids, spouse, aging parents, you know).

regularRN · Mar 4, 2011

Sometimes when they call at 5 am on my days off it's difficult not to answer the phone in one's sleep - the phone rings and it seems in my dreams that it could be a relative calling in an emergency... I pick up the phone say no, because I have other commitments, but that doesn't stop them calling me again... and again... and again.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 4, 2011

"I'm sorry, but I can't come in today: I have other committments."

Repeat PRN.

I pick up the phone say no, because I have other commitments, but that doesn't stop them calling me again... and again... and again.

After that first call, do not answer their calls for the rest of the day: IMO, you told them No for today so you're under no obligation to keep answering the phone. And they can always leave a message if it's something else they're calling about besides extra hours.