When working at a facility as a ShiftMed healthcare professional, if your shift is wrapping up and the facility says you're required to stay and work another shift–here's what you should know.
As part of our policy, you are not required to work extra shifts, especially if you're overtired. There are also instances where you are not allowed to continue working due to health and safety concerns. It's all about protecting you, your patients, and your professional license.
For example, if you've already worked more than 56 hours for the week or have worked 16 consecutive hours within 24 hours, you can't work an extra shift.
If you can stay, please call our Care Center at (800) 485-9002 to let us know. There's a good chance the additional shift isn't in the ShiftMed app, and we want to make sure you're paid properly.
FAQs
What if the facility asks me to stay?
If you want to (and feel rested enough to do so), please contact our Care Center and let us know you've been asked to stay. We'll verify the hours with the facility and then enter the shift into our system.
What if I don't want to stay?
As part of our policy, you're not required to work an extra shift. So, it's perfectly fine if you can't or don't want to stay.
What if I'm the nursing supervisor running a shift and my relief doesn't show up?
If you arrive for a shift and are told you'll be working as the nursing supervisor, request the contact information for the facility's director of nursing, assistant director of nursing, and facility administrator.
You'll need to contact one of these individuals if no one is available to relieve you at the end of your shift. If you're unable to connect with the director of nursing, assistant director of nursing, or facility administrator to identify a resolution, please get in touch with our Care Center for assistance.
Please be aware that LPNs and RNs cannot leave a shift until another nurse arrives to retrieve the keys, take the shift report, and assist in counting meds. Leaving a shift before completing a proper hand-off to another LPN or RN is considered shift abandonment and is a reportable offense to the State Boards of Nursing.