Recently, the Governor of NYS signed legislation that bans mandatory overtime for NY nurses.
 The only times that nurses would have to work overtime are:
• Natural or other types of disasters that increase the need for nursing services,
• A federal, state or county declaration of emergency,
• A nurse engaged in an ongoing medical or surgical procedure,
• When necessary to provide safe patient care where no other alternative staffing is available; and
• A nurse voluntarily agrees to work overtime.  
(Source: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/press_0815082.html)
When it comes to mandatory overtime, I am not overly affected. With the exception of the mandatory 12 hours of on-call time per 6 week schedule block, mandatory overtime is not an issue in my workplace. I and some of my coworkers are hopeful that this legislation will do away with call-time all together, but I am realistic to understand that call time will most likely fall under the category of ‘no alternative staffing…available.’

I do wonder about the fallout though…will we now have higher patient ratios? I am lucky in my position that it’s generally only 5 patients at a time…I have seen others where the ratio goes up to 6 or more patients per nurse.

What do you think of this legislation? Do you live in a state where overtime is mandated? How does it affect you?

After two brutal 12h weekend shifts recently, where I was charge nurse, held a full assignment, oriented a new employee and cared for umpteen patients, I drove myself home with a head filled only with thoughts of ibuprofen for my aching feet and a soft pillow for my tired head.. I walked into my house, anticipating the peace and quiet of home, but instead was faced with numerous challenges before I’d even got out of my scrubs.

One child was sick, the other needed clothes washed for work the next day. The dog needed to go out, the cat needed to be fed. A family member was hospitalized and the phone was ringing off the hook with concerned relatives asking me “What is really going on?”…

I went into my room and changed into my sweatpants and T-shirt with a sigh, looking at the bed wistfully.

Several hours later, with my daughter treated with nasal strips and warm tea, my son’s clothes in the dryer and both animals with full bellies and empty bladders, I was finally able to crawl into bed. I allowed my head to sink into the pillow and curled gratefully under the soft sheets. Closing my eyes, I expected sleep to find me fast.

An hour later, I was still waiting.

And an hour after that.

My mind, which was so tired from all the tasks and issues I’d faced in the day, just would not shut off. I had a case of the ‘shoulda-woulda-coulda’s’ where I reviewed many of the day’s patients, wondering if I’d done the best, and if I could have done better. I was also mentally reviewing the tasks of the upcoming day…my first day off in three days. More laundry, grocery shopping, housework…

Eventually I got up and made myself a cup of chamomile tea. It was still relatively warm outside—which around here means at least not freezing—so I put on my sweatshirt and sat outside on the front step, next to my fragrant garden.

 I broke off a lavender frond and held it to my nose. A late-blooming datura flower dipped its head at me and I heard the scurry of a small animal as it moved through the citronella.

I closed my eyes and inhaled the scents of early autumn, feeling my mind quiet at last.

This is what I do what I do, I thought. To be able to truly relish the quiet moments, one needs to see the comparison. The sights, sounds, and smells of the hospital fell away in the smell of citronella and the hint of autumn in the air. The taste of chamomile tea washed away the tension in my neck and back. I finally began to relax.