Just got a voicemail from the supervisor (highly unusual) offering bonus (not so unusual), which isn't a bad deal, and would offer me time and a half as it would put me in overtime. (And this next check would have weekend pay... Awesome!) However, that would put me on 7 of 8 days. I don't think so. Need to hang out w/ the old man tonight, otherwise I really won't see him. Oh yeah, and I need to be functional!

I ignore the phone. I feel less guilty not answering than saying "No" when I do answer.

I do what someone suggested above - I say "thanks for thinking of me!" and say no. I used to feel guilty, but don't much anymore.

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code blog

I get called everyday religiously. Some days I receive 2-3 calls: one to see if I'll work day shift, then to see if I'll work evening, then another for night shift. I've even started coming home from work lately to find messages on my machine asking me to work the shift I just got home from working.

Managers are so desperate for employees...the staffing department are just the messengers.

Kim: I'm the opposite of you, I'm TOO good at saying no! I never feel guilty about it. They pay us double time when we are called in on days off. I leave so much money on the table by never picking up. There has to be a balance.

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Nurse Sean
http://nursesean.com

You're right, the staffing department are just the messengers, so I talked to our VP of nursing about what's going on. I worked an extra shift yesterday--yes, the finally wore me down--and I talked walked into the VP's office before I went home. I told him that I didn't want to be the only RN for the entire unit this weekend. He told me to call someone in, and that he would pay time and a half. I said, "That would be great BUT there is no one to call in. Most of our nurses on our unit have quit, or on leave." Then he said something that knocked me over. He said that he would come in this weekend if I needed help. I told him to make sure he had a fresh pair of scrubs ready because I was going to hold him to his word.

We'll see.

MJ

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Sanity is madness put to good use. George Santayana.

http://nurse-ratcheds.blogspot.com

WOW! And again I say, WOW! Your VP said he would come in if needed? And what about the nurse manager of your department? Do you know if the VP spoke with the manager? I cannot imagine him not speaking with the manager...

I wish the managers here would be held accountable to ensure adequate staffing. They most typically do not answer their phones evenings and weekends - even though they knowingly leave their units without sufficicent baseline staff. They depend upon the House Sup to patch things up both for baseline and for sick calls and increased census/acuity. And the VP allows them this latitude. Oh... am I complaining? Yes, I most certainly am complaining. In fact, I am being most intemperate in posting my complaint.

In the hope that posting here will in some way alleviate my suffering, I offer the following which I posted on another bulletin board: "In a little while longer I shall go to work. I dread it. The long night hours are demanding. The psychosocial aspects of the job require exquisite attention to detail which sometimes borders on hypervigilance. I am more tired of the responsibility than I can express. If any of you are called to pray, please ask God to continue to grant me wisdom, safety, and provision as I fulfill my responsibilities to the staff, physicians, and patients of the hospital."

Anyone care to join me in my pity party?

Joy

I've seen the nasty side of being short staffed continuously...at first I felt guilty about saying no and did a few extra shifts, but soon enough I found I was not enjoying work anymore and also realized that in order to keep myself healthy I needed to say no...I also changed positions and where I work now there is rarely overtime...that being said I was floored when one of the girls was absolutely sick for her night shift (she was to do 2 nights in a row and wasnt able to do the second one) and so the DOC (director of care) ended up coming in to cover 11pm-7am! I was floored when I saw her do that and am so appreciative of her doing so, not too many higher ups do that anymore- I'm sure it'd give them a better perspective on things if they did...

I used to hate those calls too! Now our department went to pagers for everyone. When there is a need, a page goes out. Phone calls are only made when the department is desperate becasue no one has responded to the page.

And then?

(geez I have to type at least ten characters or it won't post! Is this enough now oh God of the Adequate Sized Comments?)

Oh, he had an emergency and couldn't be reached during the weekend. Yeah, I was sooooo surprised....


MJ

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Sanity is madness put to good use. George Santayana.

http://nurse-ratcheds.blogspot.com