When they call you in to work extra shifts...

purseOnalityRN · Jan 19, 2005

by the way.. it was for a shift next month - not even in the same week

Mommy2Katiebaby · Jan 19, 2005

I worked at a hospital that did that repeated calling thing. I asked them not to, they kept it up, I TOLD them not to, they kept it up, and I finally turned off my phone before I went to bed at night. It was sad, but it was all I could do.

Of course, if you're *required* to work extra shifts, that might be different, but if not, I'd sign up for whatever you want to work in advance and then shut off the phone on any other days.

z's playa · Jan 19, 2005

Tell them not to do that again. And why on earth are they calling to wake you up when the shift wasn't for another month?

Wierd. :)

Mystery5 · Jan 19, 2005

I either say "no" or I'll say, "you can put me on call if you can't find anyone else", which is the secret code for saying that I'll do it for time and a half and nothing less.

I only call back if I am willing to be sweet talked into it with time and a half. Otherwise, my work has no claim on my off time, how are they to know if I'm not gone for the day? They are pretty low pressure where I work.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 19, 2005

I learned long ago how to turn my ringer off during sleep times, and how to use my answering maching turned on low! I NEVER answer my phone anymore...all calls are screened...a price I pay for being a nurse, and my husband a paramedic!

I also was smart and programed my cel phone to play an ominious ring if it is my workplace (and how they got my cel phone number I am not sure...it must have leaked out somehow!). I learned not to answer it, and they can leave a message...also if it is a phone number I do not know..I never answer! All my friends and family know this..and follow accordingly for emergencies! And they know I will check the voice mail asap after I get one!

My work will call and call and call till someone picks up..I can't stop that, so I simply took myself away from being a slave to my phone by not really using it or turning it off! My friends and family will contact me via messenger or e-mail if I am home...leave messages if I am not! And I think work is picking up on that....not as many calls because they know...my time is my time, that is why I am limited part time!

If I feel like coming in, I will call them back after I hear the message..and really I normally do because I feel guilty..LOL! But some days it is like HECK NO, and I turn the old phones off!!!!!!

palesarah · Jan 19, 2005

my work usually only calls once and leaves a message- sometimes I get more than one call in a day but it's usually when they are calling to cover yet another shift that day!

edited to add: I also don't answer my phone unless it's someone I want to talk to. The problem with work is they show up as "private number" on my caller ID, and my parents show up the same way. But my parents don't usually call at odd hours And my dad is a nurse too, so they understand why I don't pick up the phone right away!

llg, PhD, RN · Jan 19, 2005

Having been on both sides of the phone for those types of calls ... I think you should politely take control of the situation.

The first time it happens, simply answer the question politely (yes or no) and ask that they not call you so early in the morning. The 2nd time it happens, I would probably tell them politely that I would not work the shift BECAUSE they so rudely woke you up after you had asked them not to call at that time of day. If the behavior continues, I would turn off the "ring" on the phone and just check the messages when I woke up.

I would also consider discussing it with your manager. Repeated phone calls at an unreasonable time of day in a NON-emergency situation is no way to treat an employee. Tell her that you don't want to turn your phone ring off -- but that if they can't be reasonable in their calling practices, you will have no other choice. Give her a chance to fix the problem. The key here is that it was a non-emergency situation. You would understand if it were an emergency ... but this was not ...

Good luck,

ddd

cannoli · Jan 19, 2005

When they call you in to do an extra shift - do they call once & leave a message? Or do they call once & leave a message & then repeatedly call you up to 5 times to wake you up? I'm a fairly new nurse, but in my opinion I think calling once is good enough.. If i don't want to answer the phone because it's 6:00am and their repeatedly calling to obviously wake me up - isn't that impolite? Just wanted to see what happens elsewhere!???

I'd call it harassment.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jan 19, 2005

Having been on both sides of the phone for those types of calls ... I think you should politely take control of the situation.

I think you should take control of the situation too, but on your terms, not theirs. I would not answer the phone, but I would stop by the office on my way in to inform whoever called that I will NOT EVER be available if they call during my sleep time, which is X to X.

Failing that, if it's known that shifts are available and you want to work, you might write a note as to your availability for those extra shifts and only those.

Good luck. I also agree that more than one phone call could be considered harassment.

huffmans98 · Jan 19, 2005

My work calls on an average of 2-3 times a week because of short staff. They will call my home phone, leave a message, and then always call my cell, and leave another message. They know, if I don't answer, I'm not interested in coming in. You need to either answer it the first time and decline to work, or specifically tell your supervisor that 1 call is sufficient, and if your interested, you will return the call.

LPN1974, LPN · Jan 19, 2005

My job doesn't bother me like that. I work evenings so if they call me to come in it's going to be like around 9 or 10 am.

However I have been awakened a few times, but not enough for me to get bent out of shape.

I do have caller ID, and an answering machine and I know how to use them.

If it wasn't for my job tho, I would have my house phone turned off and just use a cell phone, but just in case in the event they DID call me to come to work, and I didn't want to go, at least they just have to leave a message on the house phone, and I don't have to return it if I don't want to.

I can always say I was out of town or busy elsewhere.

I work 4 ten hour days and off 3, so I do NOT feel like giving them any of my off time, and they pretty much know that.