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?"
Staffing issues are NOT your problem! Stop feeling guilty for not working extra. I never do and the scheduler knows this so, she never asks me to work anymore. You are a team player; you go to work as scheduled!
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.
All of this. One of the best pieces of advice I received in nursing school was to not give reasons. No matter what, it will sound like an excuse. Plus, it's none of their business. When asked, I say "Sorry. I am unable to." Being consistent with that response has served me very well.
As far as them getting mad about your right to refuse extra shifts, that's on them. You have to learn to not care about that. I have picked up shifts before out of a feeling of guilt. The added stress to my life from pushing myself beyond my limit was not worth it. That being said, Im trying to think of a way to tell our scheduler that I need to cut down on my shifts for January and February. ? My pt only has one other day nurse aside from me. But that shouldn't be my problem.
Who covers for you when you take your Vacation? You need to offer them at least a 1/2 shift once in awhile.
Staffing is not the OPs problem. You do not owe anyone any extra shifts. Learning to say no is not the end of the world. This whole nurse as a martyr needs to stop! If staffing/ scheduler only rely on people picking up extra shifts, there is no incentive for a nurse manager to hire more staff. The more a nurse works the more they are prone to burn out, injury, and making mistakes while on the clock.
I will add that I have gone in when asked an awful lot; but not if I sense that the spirit of appreciation and reciprocation is lacking. There are different ways you can look at it--there was one place where peers and management appeared to genuinely appreciate it, and I'm not too proud to barter for goodwill like that. I've banked up a lot of goodwill this way (well, that and doing a good job). Being a little bit workable has the potential to make for a much more pleasant employer/employee relationship.
When it appears that it doesn't earn goodwill, though, then it's just down to money or bartering for something else, like, "sure, I can come in tonight for Saturday off instead." I've done that, too. Sometimes it's about bonus $$, sometimes a schedule improvement, sometimes just plain goodwill.
Who covers for you when you take your Vacation? You need to offer them at least a 1/2 shift once in awhile.
What?
Part of the reason someone else makes a profit running a business is because they chose the role of worrying about the EXACT type of things you are talking about.
So is this some kind of equal-profit-sharing endeavor we're talking about?
All of this. One of the best pieces of advice I received in nursing school was to not give reasons. No matter what, it will sound like an excuse. Plus, it's none of their business. When asked, I say "Sorry. I am unable to." Being consistent with that response has served me very well.
As far as them getting mad about your right to refuse extra shifts, that's on them. You have to learn to not care about that. I have picked up shifts before out of a feeling of guilt. The added stress to my life from pushing myself beyond my limit was not worth it. That being said, Im trying to think of a way to tell our scheduler that I need to cut down on my shifts for January and February. ? My pt only has one other day nurse aside from me. But that shouldn't be my problem.
Tell the scheduler NOW so they have time to get another nurse. It's only 2 months away and the holidays aren't really the best time to be talking to other people about working more or helping with your patient.
Tell the scheduler NOW so they have time to get another nurse. It's only 2 months away and the holidays aren't really the best time to be talking to other people about working more or helping with your patient.
I think 2 months (2.5) notice for taking a total of 4 days off is completely acceptable. And I wouldn't call mid January through mid march "the holidays." I'm already working Christmas and New Years, and I'm not taking any time off in November or December...which are "the Holidays." I work home care. My company has been relying on me and one other nurse to cover 7 days a week, each of us taking turns working four 12 hour shifts, for MONTHS. They know damn well this is not sustainable yet continue to not train anyone new for day shift. So, yeah. 2 month's notice for 4 days off...perfectly acceptable.
I think it's great you told them you need some time OP, but I think you set yourself up for the same problem by saying you can't work any more in November. You'll get another phone call December 1! Practice enforcing boundaries. You're no good to anyone if you're too exhausted for life.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
On 10/30/2019 at 4:10 AM, K+MgSO4 said:
Manager here.
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.
This exactly. I have no idea of individual circumstances and who might be interested in picking up an extra shift. So I ask everyone. It does not hurt my feelings if you say no, or simply ignore my text/call/voicemail.
Salisburysteak, BSN, RN
164 Posts
Staffing issues are NOT your problem! Stop feeling guilty for not working extra. I never do and the scheduler knows this so, she never asks me to work anymore. You are a team player; you go to work as scheduled!