Case Study #5 - Barbara

Barbara is an RN2 working on the day shift. Because of the nursing shortage at her facility, the threat of "mandatory" overtime is a frequent problem. Barbara is a single parent and has often avoided overtime by switching with other nurses.

Yesterday at 3:30 PM she was ordered to stay for the 4-12 shift. This occurred only an hour before she was to leave and pick up her children at school. She has to leave at the end of her shift (4:30) because she must drive to two different locations. She dreads having to work overtime, especially since management claims nurses can only get "comp time" because no overtime is authorized or approved so management can keep costs down. This doesn't help because the nurses can’t get a chance to use comp-time due to the nursing shortage. Most of them have plenty of accrued time off but can’t use it unless they call in sick.

Because of this situation, Barbara is planning to resign and hopes to get a position in a private hospital where there is no mandatory overtime required. She believes that her rights are being violated and will refuse the mandatory assignment unless you can help.