Work calling 3-4+ times a week to come in

If you aren't interested... I would screen my calls.

If you aren't interested... I would screen my calls.

Oh believe me I do but then they leave a message and then they continue to call and call and call

I'm an unemployed student right now, so I don't have an employer that I need to worry about screening my calls for. But I do have fellow students who love to call to "discuss" homework, which means "please just tell me the answer." With one student, it doesn't matter how many times I say I'm not going to do her work for her, she will still call. So I set up a silent ringtone on my phone. It's better than shutting my phone off, cause I can still get the calls I want, and it's better than just ignoring her because I don't get irritated at hearing the phone ring for the umpteenth time today. I don't even know she called until I look for missed calls. If your phone supports this, you might want to try it.

I don't know how not going in will affect your reviews, I've never had it negatively affect mine. They might try saying you're not a "team player." I definitely wouldn't say anything about your health, do they know you are a student? They've all been through school, they should understand how time consuming and difficult it can be.

~Simmy

I'm an unemployed student right now, so I don't have an employer that I need to worry about screening my calls for. But I do have fellow students who love to call to "discuss" homework, which means "please just tell me the answer." With one student, it doesn't matter how many times I say I'm not going to do her work for her, she will still call. So I set up a silent ringtone on my phone. It's better than shutting my phone off, cause I can still get the calls I want, and it's better than just ignoring her because I don't get irritated at hearing the phone ring for the umpteenth time today. I don't even know she called until I look for missed calls. If your phone supports this, you might want to try it.

I don't know how not going in will affect your reviews, I've never had it negatively affect mine. They might try saying you're not a "team player." I definitely wouldn't say anything about your health, do they know you are a student? They've all been through school, they should understand how time consuming and difficult it can be.

~Simmy

Yes they know I am working on my master's degree...they don't seem to care.

You aren't obligated to work any overtime for your job...as long as you work your shifts you're fine. If you're supposed to work 3 days a week...work 3 days a week and be done. I'm young, single, no kids, and in good health...and still don't want to work overtime if I don't have to. It's none of their business why you don't want to work overtime. They should hire someone else if they need someone that bad.

They hit you even if you DO have kids...

Just show up when you are scheduled, do your best...and prioritize. If there are issues at home that come first...there should be no doubt.

"I'm so sorry but I've already made plans."

Bye, now.

Pretend your plans were to go camping in an area without cell phone access. Their lack of staffing is not your problem.

Next time you're at work, say "I have a lot going on and won't be able to come in." If there's a list they're going down to call scratch your name off. Your off-time is yours.

If I was presented with a poor evaluation I would ask for specific examples. Not coming in when not scheduled is not a valid reason for a poor eval.

THEY need more staff, don't let them put it on you!

I said this before in a similar thread.

"Don't pick up the phone. Don't pick up the phone. Don't pick up the phone" On days when I want or need the day off. I turn my phone off.

I am also young, single and have no kids. I also have other obligations besides the facility I work for. I have school, I have a private duty job. I am in good health but there are just some days when I would like the night off. If someone asks me to work for them in advance.. I'll do it if it doesn't interfere with my other obligations.

Don't feel as if your personal life or health should take a back seat because they are short.

While I'm in agreement with the other posters, the only thing that in my mind could legitimately be held against you would be if in your employment agreement there was a statement that you would come in x amount of times if called. But, if there is not such a statement, doesn't seem that you owe them anything outside of your required/committed to hours. School is tough, working and school is even tougher. Hang in there.

Thanks for all the great advice so far

My work calls at LEAST 3-4 times a week to cover call offs and empty shifts. I have not gone in due to various reasons, mostly due to health issues. I am young, single, and have no kids, so everyone thinks I should come and do it. I am not open about my health issues at work, so nobody knows, not even my manager. I am also in school full time and simply don't have the time. I am afraid this is going affect my performance review, but my health and schoolwork come first. What do y'all say when they call you and give you the guilt trip?

Why do employers shift the responsibility to the staff rather than hire enough nurses to cover all shifts? It seems that if your facility is calling you multiple times each week to cover for call-offs or unscheduled shifts, it should dawn on SOMEBODY that there's a need for more nurses, permanent or temporary, scheduled or per diem.

It shouldn't matter if an employee has children or not, is going to school or not, has health issues or not, is young or old or single or married---your time off is your own and your employer should respect that. I can understand it if there's an emergency or if it's only occasionally that they call you, but several times a week tells me that there are some serious issues with the corporate culture. It sounds to me like they value nurses who are martyrs and are willing to put off all other responsibilities to come to work.

Many times, also, nurses are not good about saying "No." I think you are right to stand your ground, especially if they're calling you so frequently. Unfortunately, the acute job shortage seems to give some employers an excuse to behave badly and take advantage of nurses.