[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hospitals and clinics have implemented mandatory overtime policies to help ease [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/post-pandemic-nursing-shortage/”]nursing staff shortages[/hen-ui-link]. While effective at achieving its goal, mandatory overtime for nurses can be detrimental to the quality of patient care and lead to stress and burnout among nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you are a current or aspiring nurse researching mandatory overtime laws, keep reading for information about mandatory overtime for nurses and its impacts, applicable state laws, and tips on avoiding burnout.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is Mandatory Overtime in Nursing?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mandatory overtime laws were established to ensure that workers received compensation for hours that exceeded the standard 40-hour work week. The federal [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/overtime” target=”_blank”]Fair Labor Standards Act[/hen-ui-link] (FLSA) requires employees to be paid 1.5 times their regular hourly pay rate for any additional hours worked. States have enacted their own laws but, if the pay rate is lower than the federal standard, the employee is paid according to the federal law.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Federal regulations require Medicare-certified hospitals to ensure that “adequate numbers” of nurses are staffed to provide patient care “as needed.” This vague regulatory language has led to state-enacted legislation regarding nurse staffing levels, including those mandating specific nurse-to-patient ratios. A nationwide nurse shortage has created situations where hospitals and clinics impose mandatory overtime to meet these legislative requirements.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Mandatory Overtime Laws By State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Currently, 18 states have enacted laws or regulations applicable to nurses that either prohibit or limit mandatory overtime for nurses: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Impacts of Mandatory Overtime[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While mandatory overtime can offer a solution to the nursing shortages, it does so with costs that negatively impact nurses and patient care. In some situations, such as temporary staff shortages, mandatory overtime benefits nurses who desire extra working hours and time-and-a-half pay rates, while it can be detrimental to nurses who do not have the ability to accommodate those scheduling demands easily.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, chronic or ongoing mandatory overtime takes a toll on nurses and, ultimately, their patients. Nurses who work longer than 12-hour shifts on a regular basis or without enough time off between shifts become fatigued, which can lead to mistakes. They also may feel resentful or dejected, which can lead to subpar patient care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Burnout is a common result for nurses who must work long hours.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Nurses Can Avoid Burnout from Mandatory Overtime[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Refuse overtime[/hen-ui-text]: In states where mandatory overtime is illegal or prohibited, nurses can refuse to work beyond their scheduled shifts unless an exception, such as an emergency, exists. These states include: California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Join a nurses’ union to advocate for better working conditions[/hen-ui-text]: A [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-union-pros-cons/”]nurses’ union[/hen-ui-link], such as [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/about” target=”_blank”]National Nurses United[/hen-ui-link], uses the power of collective bargaining and sponsors legislation at the federal and state levels to advocate for nurses’ rights and improved patient safety and outcomes.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Practice self-care[/hen-ui-text]: Learning how to take care of your mental health and well-being by [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/how-to-manage-stress/”]managing your stress levels[/hen-ui-link] can help during challenging times. Strategies that can alleviate negative stress include maintaining a routine, eating healthy foods, exercising, spending time outdoors, and setting boundaries. Support systems like friends and family, or even a therapist, can also help.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Build connections[/hen-ui-text]: Joining an organization like the American Nurses Association (ANA) offers benefits and support through its mentorship program, online community, and local networking opportunities.The ANA also advocates for nurses at the federal and state legislative levels and welcomes member involvement on issues important to nursing and healthcare.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Mandatory Overtime for Nurses FAQs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What states have mandatory overtime for nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Currently, 32 states impose mandatory overtime with the goal of ensuring optimal staffing levels that meet patient care demands:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Alabama[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Arizona[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Arkansas[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colorado[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Delaware[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Florida[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/state/georgia//”]Georgia[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hawaii[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Idaho[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Indiana[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Iowa[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Kansas[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Kentucky[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Louisiana[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Michigan[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mississippi[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Montana[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nebraska[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nevada[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Mexico[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/north-carolina/”]North Carolina[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]North Dakota[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/ohio/”]Ohio[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Oklahoma[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]South Carolina[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]South Dakota[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/tennessee/”]Tennessee[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Utah[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Vermont[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Virginia[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wisconsin[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wyoming[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Can healthcare workers be forced to work overtime?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare workers in states that have not enacted legislation making mandatory overtime illegal or prohibited can be forced to work overtime. Employers in these states must comply with the FLSA, which designates 40 hours per week as the minimum for full-time employees, not the maximum. But employees who work in excess of 40 hours a week must be compensated with time-and-a-half pay.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Can I be fired for refusing to work overtime?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In states where mandatory overtime is legal, you can be fired for refusing to work overtime if you are an “at-will” employee and your employer follows the laws and regulations in your state. “At-will” employees can be fired for any reason at any time unless the reason is discriminatory or retaliatory.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]But if you work in states with nursing labor laws that address mandatory overtime—such as [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/california/”]California[/hen-ui-link], Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia—you cannot be fired for refusing to work overtime.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How does mandatory overtime affect nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mandatory overtime for nurses can alleviate nursing shortages and bolster shrinking bank accounts, but it can also have negative effects. Nurses forced to work long hours over extended periods of time suffer from burnout, which leads to emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. Burnout can also lead to a condition known as “compassion fatigue,” where nurses experience the inability to empathize with their patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Angelique Geehan” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale/v1617058478/experts/Angelique_Geehan.jpg” img-alt=”Angelique Geehan” layout=”horizontal” background=”none” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Angelique Geehan works to support and repair the connections people have with themselves and their families, communities, and cultural practices. A queer, Asian, gender binary-nonconforming parent, Geehan founded Interchange, a consulting group that offers anti-oppression support. She organizes as part of several groups, including the National Perinatal Association’s Health Equity Workgroup, the Health and Healing Justice Committee of the National Queer and Trans Asian and Pacific Islander Alliance, QTPOC+ Family Circle, and Batalá Houston.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Angelique Geehan is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance review network. [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]Learn more about our review partners[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]