Can they fire you for not picking up overtime?

I'm not in a union position, but I am hired/scheduled FT for 72 hours per pay period. My boss has asked me to stay an extra 4 hours past my shift (with OT pay) twice in the past week and I haven't been able to do it, so I declined. The unit secretary called today to ask if I could work 12 hours tomorrow on my day off. When I said I couldn't do it, she said my manager would be disappointed. No one on my unit is mandated to do OT or stay past our scheduled shift, but everyone always makes me feel so guilty when I can't pick up OT. Can I be fired for not taking OT? I'm probably just paranoid, but I'm worried. I hate turning down OT but I know if I worked more than 36 hours a week, I'd go crazy. I'm in grad school for 6 credits this semester, have pets at home and usually schedule the rest of my life around my work schedule. Is there something wrong with me?
I'm in grad school for 6 credits this semester, have pets at home and usually schedule the rest of my life around my work schedule. Is there something wrong with me?

There's not a thing wrong with you. If you're paying for 6 credits of grad school, then you owe it to yourself to study as you need to and maintain your work/life balance as is acceptable to you. As long as there's nothing in your employee handbook that mandates overtime, then you've got no reason to come in on your day off. They're just trying to get the pity hours out of you.

Look at it this way, if they are ever in the position of having to choose between laying off one of two people, which do you think they will choose, all other things being equal? Of course, it is unfortunate, but if something should happen down the road that causes you to lose your job, you can not be surprised about it.

This was the most important part of the OP's statement:I'm not in a union position...This was the second most important part fo the OP's statement: No one on my unit is mandated to do OT or stay past our scheduled shift...If you're not in a union, then you have to fall back on employer past practice with other employees as your defense. In this case, past practice with other nurses means that you're not required to do OT.

Don't pick up the phone. Don't pick up the phone. Don't pick up the phone.

Look at it this way, if they are ever in the position of having to choose between laying off one of two people, which do you think they will choose, all other things being equal? Of course, it is unfortunate, but if something should happen down the road that causes you to lose your job, you can not be surprised about it.

I would try to pitch in sometimes in the interest of being a team player.

Quote from Emergency RNThis was the most important part of the OP's statement:I'm not in a union position...This was the second most important part fo the OP's statement: No one on my unit is mandated to do OT or stay past our scheduled shift...If you're not in a union, then you have to fall back on employer past practice with other employees as your defense. In this case, past practice with other nurses means that you're not required to do OT.

Quote from caliotter3Look at it this way, if they are ever in the position of having to choose between laying off one of two people, which do you think they will choose, all other things being equal? Of course, it is unfortunate, but if something should happen down the road that causes you to lose your job, you can not be surprised about it.

Don't feel bad because your not required to do it and I don't think they'll fire you but if you can manage to pick it up from time to time I'd do it. Like someone else said showing your willing to help every now and then makes it easier to find coverage when you really need the day off, so its something to think about for the future.

Perhaps you could screen your calls on your day off. Only pick up OT when you are in between semesters. Don't hesitate to answer in the negative when you are asked in person if you can do OT. The more decisive you are the better they will understand.

Caller ID and/or a machine. DO NOT ANSWER IT IF IT IS WORK!!!!!!!!!!!! Next time you work and they ask if you got the message, "Oh yes , but it was long past shift starting time when I got home and heard it. So sorry!" even if all you did was lay on the couch watching NCIS reruns!!