I know I should expect this as I am in nursing but it's driving me insane. I am constantly being asked to work extra. They message and/or call while I'm at work and while I'm at home.
Granted, my job isn't that difficult as it's home care but it is 12 hour shifts... I work 3 on, 3 off... 4 on, 4 off.
I don't have any children but I do have a life outside of work. I hate to say no. And, I've run out of excuses as to why I can't work extra. Sometimes here and there, I will pick up a half day and once in a while (rare), I will pick up an extra 12hr shift.
It's hard to ignore a text or phone call, especially when they are calling while I'm at work. They ask at least twice a week, and then act irritated when I say I can't. Honestly, I'm just exhausted and need those days off but I don't want to not sound like a team player. I don't call out sick... No matter what. I do have vacation days that I'm worried about losing because we are so short staffed.
What do you do when your boss is constantly calling and texting you to come in on your day off? What if they did it while at work. Especially when they ask for the whole month... Example "are there any days you can cover in November?"
Thanks so much everyone. I just replied to my DON that I have too much going on in November and I can't pick up any extra days. I already picked up a 8 hours last month and few the month before. I'm tired. Even working my regular hours I am so tired.
I couldn't agree more with the advice you have received. Now just do it. Yes, I know you might feel guilty, but staffing and volunteering for OT and being exhausted are not in your job description. Grow a backbone so you can stand up for yourself.
And no need to give explanations or excuses. Just say no.
I've been on the other end begging nurses to work extra. Ultimately, 6 months to a year from now, they won't remember you picking up extra shifts. Don't spread yourself thin because companies don't want to spend the money on staff and benefits. If people continue to say yes and pick up shifts, the company will continue to not hire more nurses. I agree, you don't need an excuse. Just say "no thank you, I'm not interested in extra shifts." And that is that. If somebody said that to me, I'd stop bothering them. I used to work extra all of the time, now... I choose me!
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
As others have mentioned, no explanation is needed. Either don't answer at all, as you have no obligation to when you are off work, or answer and simply say no.
I've made it clear to my job and the units I float to that if I want to work extra, I will reach out to them, not the other way around.
HI, I've been where you are... in home health. I've worked for a couple of different home health companies and it was always the same... they want you to work all the time. I've left companies for this reason - not respecting my time off.
It's hard because you can feel like you are letting them down, but you have to take care of you. If you get so burnt out that you can't work anymore without going crazy, then they are in a worse situation.
It always seemed to me that they accept all patients, even when they can't cover them, then they beg people to work extra. I have been given some really high bonuses for taking on extra patients in the past, but you have to say "yes" only when it is worth it to you.
Someone else said it best- they will not hire if they can get the current employees to work OT because it is cheaper for them.
Maybe you should offer to help train new employees when they hire some ? .
No one can be expected to be overworked all the time and remain happy. That is just the way it is.
That's the problem. Excuses were never required. Yes or no will suffice, and "sorry, I'm not available" is a complete sentence that should end with a period.
Also, this is not based upon whether or not you have children; it is based upon terms you and your employer agreed to.
Think things through and decide what it all means to you (how much you like the job overall, how irritating this one issue is becoming or not becoming, etc.). Then you will better understand your options. If you are open to the idea of securing other employment and feel that it is likely you would be able to, then start coming up with some terms of your own: When they call you say something like, "Yeah, I could do that for 1.5X (or double time or whatever) but other than that I really can't." Then don't babble or make any excuses. The ball is in their court and they can do what they want with it. ??♀️ If they say they can't do that just say, "Oh. Well, thanks for asking me anyway."
If you can't afford to have them getting irritated with you, then you'll just have to throw them a bone every now and then.
boundaries. "I can't." "no. I cannot do that." More words just gives them the opportunity to coerce or guilt you ---and for you to make a mistake and lie about something that someone will verify---then your credibility is shot.
HI, I've been where you are... in home health. I've worked for a couple of different home health companies and it was always the same... they want you to work all the time. I've left companies for this reason - not respecting my time off.
It's hard because you can feel like you are letting them down, but you have to take care of you. If you get so burnt out that you can't work anymore without going crazy, then they are in a worse situation.
It always seemed to me that they accept all patients, even when they can't cover them, then they beg people to work extra. I have been given some really high bonuses for taking on extra patients in the past, but you have to say "yes" only when it is worth it to you.
Someone else said it best- they will not hire if they can get the current employees to work OT because it is cheaper for them.
Maybe you should offer to help train new employees when they hire some ? .
No one can be expected to be overworked all the time and remain happy. That is just the way it is.
"You can feel like you are letting them down...."
Exactly this. I am not a rabble rouser, but think about what that employer would do if you were injured on the job or at home or on the way to/from work for them---do you think they'll come over and cook your dinner, clean your house, take care of your pets and kids---pay your bills even (some employers cut you loose and force you to file lawsuits for workman's comp if you are injured doing your job---sometimes bankrupting you in the process)
I don't ever give anyone the benefit of the doubt on this. I have my boundaries. I do my job 100% when I am scheduled to do it. After hours---it is my choice whether I pick up overtime or not. Nobody gets to coerce me---and if I need a mental health day or just simply don't want to work the >12 hours of overtime a month (after 12 hours, most of your pay goes to taxes. it's not worth it)---I say "No." and leave the pregnant silence for them to fill with whatever they want. I don't even apologize anymore. They'll get the hint that you are not a trained seal and move on to someone who is more pliable.
boundaries. "I can't." "no. I cannot do that." More words just gives them the opportunity to coerce or guilt you ---and for you to make a mistake and lie about something that someone will verify---then your credibility is shot.
No. I cannot work tonight. End of sentence.
And don't apologize. They will try to guilt trip you if you say you are sorry.
I was in the same position once. I finally told my boss that I am no longer able to pick up extra shifts due to other obligations (And, yes, rest and self-care is an obligation). She still asked for a while but after weeks of hard nos, she let up. Now she only asks when desperate and gives me 2.5x pay when I do (I get time and a half, plus she pencils me in to be paid for a shift on a day off.)
Some staff want to pick up extras all the time, some want to do it for a short time for money for a specific event. Some will pick up a shift if the offer of dropping another shift later in the roster. I put the offer out. If you don't want it say no. Simple.
I’m in the occasionally picking up and extra shift category, and it needs to include surge bonus for me to pick up ($360 bonus for picking up, 1.5 pay for shift). The request is usually put out to the unit at large or occasionally a group text to the nurses who aren’t scheduled that shift. A simple “no thank you” is all that’s needed. No hurt feelings, no guilt trips involved. Time off is important, you don’t need excuses for why you can’t/don’t want to pick up extra shifts. Yes or no is all you need to reply with.
Kooky Korky, BSN, RN
5,216 Posts
I couldn't agree more with the advice you have received. Now just do it. Yes, I know you might feel guilty, but staffing and volunteering for OT and being exhausted are not in your job description. Grow a backbone so you can stand up for yourself.
And no need to give explanations or excuses. Just say no.